THE HAURAKI PLAINS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19405, 13 August 1926, Page 10

THE HAURAKI PLAINS.

The annual departmental report dealing with the Hauraki Plains describes the past year as having been a very good one for , the settlers, and claims it as evidence of the success of this great drainage scheme. The happy tone can be gladly accepted, even when it is recalled that last summer was more favourable to recently drained swamp country than to any other class of land. When the hill farmers were crying out for rain, those on the plains were rejoicing in the dry spell. This qualification does not dispose of the fact that drainage operations have done a great thing in transforming the old Piako Swamp into the 1 Hauraki Plains described in the report. Even though Patetonga has grievances demanding the application of that favourite panacea, a commission of inquiry, the draining of the plains can be set down as a piece of work adding powerfully to the productiveness of the Dominion. There was a time when the suggestion that the Piako Swamp, haunt of waterfowl, could be farmed would have been laughed to scorn. ' The scoffers have been proved wrong. Yet exactly the same predictions of failure and futility are heard when it is suggested that the effort should be made to develop other waste country, the old gumfields and the pumice lands. Such a lesson as the Hauraki Plains, granting that all the difficulties there have not yet been' overcome, teaches nothing to the chronic pessimist. The very difficulties have their value.*j Those encountered in another drainage area, the Rangitaiki Plains, confirm the lesson. It is that while the acceptance of failure before the effort is made is without justification easy optimism is no substitute for a reasoned balancing of probable results against capital expenditure. If Rangitaiki shows that business methods must be used in approaching any scheme for reclaiming waste lands, the Hauraki Plains teach that courage and tenacity in pursuing a sound plan can bring well-merited success.