THE PUMICE LANDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20465, 17 January 1930, Page 13

THE PUMICE LANDS.

FARMS AT REPQROA,

PARLIAMENTARY PARTY'S VISIT.

MUCH 'INFORMATION GAINED.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] ROTORUA, Thursday.

Several farms in the Reporoa district were visited by the Parliamentary party under the conduct of Mr. E. E. Vaile.

Mr. Pernham's holding was first inspected, and herds of cattle of varying ages were seen, a close scrutiny being made for any signs of sickness. Mr. Pernham sold last season 387 fat beasts. On' the adjoining farm of Mr. Handcock 1 a herd of 80 is being milked.

Mr. "Seccombe's farm was then visited. A field of clover was shown that was cut for ensilage in December, and at the time of inspection was 15inr high, although the cattle had been grazing as late as yesterday. The farmer members of the party from Manawatu Canterbury freely said that they had never seen a finer field.

The party motored to Broadlands, Mr. E. E. Vaile's estate, and different parts of the estate were examined. Mr. Vaile gave full partic-jlars of treatment of the various paddocks, the amount of manures and seed used and the varying mixtures. In many cases land in its virgin state was alongside beautiful paddocks, on which the stock was unable to keep pastures down.

On reaching the centre of the Reporoa settlement the party was met by the settlers and entertained at luncheon. After this an opportunity was given for the settlers to state their case.

Mr. H. G. Cherry, on behalf of the settlers' association, outlined the early difficulties of the settlers at considerable length. The main complaint was that the original valuation was too high and that much trouble and loss occurred through cattle sickness and the lack of experience in putting on pure Jersey cattle. The later valuations decided upon were considered fairly satisfactory if certain rebates were' granted. It was contended by Mr. Alexander, the president of the association, that Reporoa should not be taken as a fair sample of the whole of the pumice country proposed to be settled, that before closer settlement took place examination of water supply and other matters be placed beyond a doubt. While there was plenty of water available in the Reporoa settlement it had not been, proved that this applied to the whole of the pumice country.' Mr. R. A. Wright, on behalf of the visitoi's, thanked the settlers for the trouble taken to enable them to inspect the district. He knew that all sections of the House of Representatives were anxious that the settlers should be prosperous and contented. What the visitors had seen to-day was most instructive, and would enable them all to form a better opinion of the whole question.

A visit was then made to Mr. Gillander's farm, which was selected by the association as a sample illustrating their complaints.

It was agreed by the visitors that much valuable information had been gained. Some of the settlers had no complaints to make and were quite satisfied with the progress they had made. The party arrived back at Rotorua before five o'clock, and several left for their homes by the 5 p.m. train.