THE KING COUNTRY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21533, 3 July 1933, Page 5

THE KING COUNTRY

MINISTER IMPRESSED

SMALL FARM POSSIBILITIES

[iiY TELEGRAPH —OWN TE KUITI, Saturday Tlio visit of tho Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. C. E. Macmillan, who lias been in To Kuiti for the last two days, concluded this morning, when he left hy train for Tauranga. The Minister: who officially opened tho To Kuiti Winter Show on Thursday, spent a strenuous time visiting various parts of the district and receiving deputations.

In an interview this morning, Mr. Macmillan said that thy visit had been an eye-opener to him, and that his opinion of this portion of the King Country had gono up fully 500 per cent as a result of his inspection. He expressed surprise at the large areas of vacant land which could be profitably developed and which were eminently suitable for occupation under the small farm scheme. He was also agreeably surprised at the extent of metal roads in the district, and considered the northern portion of the King Country very well roaded Questioned concerning the suitability of portions of the district for afforestation, the Minister said that every farmer should do a certain amount of forestry work on his farm. There were areas in the district which could not be grassed, but which would be very suitable for afforestation. In his opinion, the wrong kind of trees was being planted by most farmers, and such trees as oaks and chestnuts should be included. even though thoy were slower in reaching maturity than most of the trees now being planted, as they would provide food which could be made uso of on every farm. He expressed himself as very pleased with the display of produce in the winter show, particularly the root crops, and said that with the increasing use of fertilisers even better results would be obtained. Accompanied by Mr. W. J. Broadfoot, M.P., the Minister visited the Rangitoto and Oparuro districts and inspected the work being done by the Mangapu Drainage Board. He was very impressed by the extent of the work which the board is doing, and also by tho class of land that will bo made available for productive purposes when the work has been completed.