VALUABLE SWAMP LANDS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19092, 10 August 1925, Page 10

VALUABLE SWAMP LANDS

AREA NEAR HAMILTON.

DRAINAGE ENGINEER'S VIEWS.

POTENTIAL FARMING DISTRICT.

[BY XEI.EORArn.~OWN COBEESFOJTDENT.J HAMILTON, Saturday.

Several years ago ail agitation for the improvement of the large swamp areas in the vicinity of Hamilton was made by various local bodies, including the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, and as a result of representations made to the late Prime Minister a comprehensive survey of the Ruakura and Rukuhia swamps was undertaken some two years ago by the Government. The report of the survey as submitted by Mr. 0. N. Campbell, chief mitfced by Mr. 0. N. Campbell, chief drainage engineer of the Dominion, has been forwarded to the Chamber of Commerce at Hamilton. The area, which is situated in the valley of the Waikato River and approximately within the triangle, Hamilton, Morrinsvillo and Taupiri, there is an extensive area of partly drained peat swamp. This area comprises some 90 squaro miles of country, or approximately 57,000 acres, which might be classified as 1500 acres, consolidation good; 12,500 acres, consolidation fair; 27,511 acres, consolidation poor; 6500 acres, consolidation nil..

In the early development of peat lands time is a most important factor, but as tho country subsides and a pasture can be established the working of tho land, cultivation and stocking becomes an equally important factor. Thus in the bulk of this area the latter stage has now been reached and rapid progress in development is possible. Mr. Campbell stated that tho possibilities of early development in the area were much brighter than ho had anticipated, and considering the large area tho cost would not be excessive. With an efficient scheme in operation tho whole area, with the exception of say 12,000 acres, could bo brought into pasture without further delay and within a very few years the area should bo in a condition to carry possibly 10,000 cows. Mr. Campbell expressed the opinion that in order that suitable lands might be prepared for New Zealand's increasing population ana* in order to increase the production of primary products every effort should be made to encourage the construction of the works he recommended. He stated that if the necessary finances were arranged he would have no hesitation in undertaking tho works* with his own staff, and he felt sure that the results would well warrant tho expenditure involved. The Mangawara River Board, Woodlands, Eureka, Hillside, Tauhei, Freshfield, and Kirikiriroa Drainage Boards all operate in'the area. Mr. Campbell said that under this divided control uniform and economical progress and. an equitable distribution of costs were impossible. Tho district well warranted development, and if this development was to be carried out in an efficient manner it was essential that the whole area should be under one control. He strongly recommended action being taken in that direction.

The report states that the swamp area was originally all peat with small islands of hard country appearing in places. The sub-soil is a pumiceous "clay, and from results already obtained the indications are that with proper drainage it will make very useful dairying country. Reference is made to the work already done during the 50 odd years the land has been in occupation, and to the work already carried out by the drainage boards operating within the area. These works have brought about, a very considerable improvement and have consolidated and sweetened the country to such an extent that practically the whole area is now ready for vigorous development. The report further states, that although up to the present the soft peat, has made the location of the drain outlets an immaterial point, the time has now arrived when these must be located correctly to obtain efficient results. In the early development of such land, time is the most important factor, but when 'it has consolidated to some extent cultivation and stocking becomes an equally important factor. In the bulk of the area this latter stage has been reached.