DRAINING SWAMP LANDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16849, 14 May 1918, Page 4

DRAINING SWAMP LANDS.

WORK IN NORTH AUCKLAND. MINISTER SYMPATHETIC. [FtT TELEGRAPH. SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] KAWATCAWA. Monday. The desirability of draining swamp areas in the Bay of Islands County wis urged upon the Minister for Land? by the member for the district. Mr. Vernon H. Reed at Kawakawa to-day. The member spoke of the great quantity of idle lands which required reading and settling, and said he hoped that something would be done in this direction. He referred particularly tr the Kawakawa and Maromaku Swamps, and asked that the drainage engineer should be sent to j inspect them and report as to the best j means of reclaiming them. His remarks i were endorsed by various settlers.

Mr. Guthrie, in reply, forecasted a policy very much in advance of anything hitherto tried for the betterment and advance of the North. He looked on the reclamation of swamps as of great importance, and promised that the engineer would make a report when the opportunity offered. He pointed out that the settlers must not depend on the Government bearing the cost of drainage, bub must be prepared to bear a fair share. Mr. Reed remarked that the settlers realised that, and were prepared to do their share.

The Minister, continuing, said that, as requested, he had examined the Hikuraugi Swamp, and was of the opinion that the scheme to drain it was feasible. It would add enormously to the prosperity of the district, and he advised all the' settlers concerned to participate in the scheme.