SPIRIT OF NORTH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19549, 31 January 1927, Page 10

SPIRIT OF NORTH.

OLD PIONEER QUALITIES. RESOURCE AND ENDURANCE. GOVERNOR-GENERAL'S TRIBUTE FAITH IN DISTRICT'S FUTURE. Impressions gained by the GovernorGeneral, Sir Charles Fergusson, during his tour of the .North Auckland district were mentioned in an address which he gave at the Helensvillo Agricultural and Pastoral Association's show on Saturday. His Excellency said it was very fitting that after travelling round the northern districts for the past fortnight the viceregal party should be shown what ccmld be produced on northern soil and under northern conditions. "What we have seen in the North has been of very great interest," said His Excellency, "and, although I make no claim to being an expert, I am certainly interested in agricultural matters. In Scotland, where I come from, the country is in many ways very much like this. ' There, also, dairying and sheep-farming provide the means of living for a great number of people." His Excellency explained that ho had studied the people met on the tour and had found living examples of the old pioneers. "People talk as if the race of old pioneers has died out. That is not So. .We saw, in going through the country, men and women exhibiting exactly the same qualities of resource, endurance and courage as those possessed by their grandparents.. It has been a perfect eye-opener." He added that through meeting the people he had realised the great work they were doing in building up the country. Speaking of the future of the North, His Excellency said he could see that as yet only the surface had been touched. In 30 or 40 years there would be a great difference. Hydro-electricity would be widely in use, more roads would be constructed and the development of the country would be pushed ahead. Admittedly, there were tracts of poor land, probably only fit for afforestation. It had been shown what could bo done with the land to make it productive. One of the most important needs was the application of science to farming. The country would to-day present a different aspect if scientific knowledge had been greater 50 years ago. However, it could 'be seen that, the district possessed groat natural beauty and had great resources.