WATTLES OR FARMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20256, 16 May 1929, Page 10

WATTLES OR FARMS.

AREA AT TE KAUWHATA. DEPUTATION TO MINISTER. [BY telegraph.—special reporter.] MERCER, Wednesday. Tlie opening up for settlement of an area of about 1200 acres at present planted in wattles was suggested to the Hon. G. W. Forbes, Minister of Lands and Agriculture, by a Te Kauwhata deputation to-day. The area which is adjacent to Te Kauwhata was said to have served its purpose from a forestry point of view, as disease had become rampant among the trees and the ground was becoming covered with blackberry. The wattles were also said to harbour blackbirds, which wrought havoc among the fruit in the dry season. Asked to express his views, Dr. C. J. Roakcs, Director-General of Agriculture, said the question of bringing the area now under wattle into farm use had discussed a good deal among the departmental officers recently. The fact was l'uliy appreciated that the plantation as it now stood was of no use, and an investigation was being made into the question of the cost of clearing tho land for settlement. It was thought that tho work could be done economically and concrete proposals in regard to the area would shortly bo placed before the Minister. The Minister said it might be costly to clear tha land, and h<? would welcome practical suggestions as to how tho work might most economically bo carried out. Ho believed that with the use of fertilisers tho ground could bo profitably settled. If a private contract could bo let at a reasonable price he would favourably consider tho project. Possibly the Government itself would have to undertake the work. Jt. was his desire to see tho laud made productive.