SMALL FARMS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22059, 15 March 1935, Page 12

SMALL FARMS

PKOGBESS OF SCHEMES SUCCESS WITH PUMICE LAND (I FUTURE FOR RELIEF MEN AREAS FOR SETTLERS Highly encouraging results are being obtained in the development of a i number of large areas in the hinterland of the Auckland Province, where holdings are being made for future settlers, under the small farms scheme. The success which is being achieved • with the breaking in of large blocks of ' pumice country is of particular interest and the results so far gained show the possibilities of this class of country for closer settlement. Some of the areas are now being developed by the Lands Department in conjunction with the Unemployment Board, a large proportion of the men engaged being registered unemployed, whose wages are being provided by the board, while the direction and supervision is carried out by the skilled staff of the department. " There are four blocks of pumice land in the Rotorua and Taupo districts, aggregating 4450 acres, under development, while there is an area of 930 acres of flax land at Pongakawa, in . the Tauranga county, and a further block of 240 acres near Cambridge. These blocks will be divided into approximately 70 sections, aid of this number over 30 have already been allotted to suitable men chosen from amorg the relief worlslfis. Partially Self-Supporting Work has been proceeding on these areas for two or three years. Temporary accommodation was first pro- 1 videel for the workers, but as the ' scheme has advanced cottages have , been erected and these are to become the homes of the future settlers. Already some of the men who have been allotted sections are partially selfsupporting, and,; others, while still carrying on development work, are using their spare time to cultivate gardens in anticipation of becoming permanent settlers. The officers of the Lands Department are giving the men every encouragement, and as cottages are built a fairly large area surrounding the building is fenced. Many of the men who have their wives and families with them have acquired a cow and poultry, and in some cases a few pigs, and with the aid of their gardens are now providing themselves with much of their food requirements. Recent visitors to thesei blocks speak highly of the spirit being displayed hy these men in their determination to find a new career on / the land. - Remarkable Change Until recently there were 70 relief workers on the Pongakawa block, which consists of abandoned flax leases on the Waihi swamp, and considerable clearing and draining work has been done, including about nine miles of drains, three miles of roads, and five miles of fencing. The heavy growth of manuka, flax and rushes has been cleared from about 400 acres, 270 acres of which have been grassed.. Approximately 150 head of dairy stock have been grazed on the land, and furthpr stock is to be procured to cope with the excessive growth. There will be 15 sections in this block, but pending the erection of houses none has so far been allotted. Additional men have now been drafted to the area, and there should soon be about 100 employed there. ' , ,

A much more advanced area is that known as Te Teko. where 12 sections of an average of 70 acres have been made available. This is flat pumice country and most of the sections are well grassed. Some of the settlers have had a return of 7000ib. of butter-fat each for their first year, while others who have been milking this .'Season have equally good prospect's. The allotment of an additional three sections will complete this block. " b'f 4 A

Grass and Shelter The Tarawera block of 900 acres, adjoining OnepUj is not so well ahead, development having started only at the beginning of last year. Three hundred acres have been grassed and further areas are shortly to be sown. There will be seven small farms on this area, most of which will be ready for allocation nest milking season. On the Murupara block about 970 acres of the total of 1470 acres hare been grassed and there are over 200 heifers which will be available for milking next season. There will be 16 sections on this development, and on six of these settlers will milk next season,- the remainder being expected to start production a year later. Shelter belts are essential on this area, and already close on 300 chains of plantations have been established, provision having been made for extensions. . Rotorua and Cambridge Eventually there will be nine settlers on the Broadlands block of 1000 acres, 40 miles to the south of Rotorua whigh was presented to the Government by Mr. E. Earle Vaile. This is described as fair quality swamp "and light pumice land. Considerable development has taken , place here, close on 700 acres having been cleared, 4bo acres of which are in grass and crops, the latter including oats, swedes and lucerne. The workers have erected six miles of fencing, completed one and a-half miles of road formation, and planted over 200 chains of plantations. Cottages have been allotted to five of the workers temporarily, and some of the sections will be milked on next season. There are five settlers on the block near Cambridge, known as Blackshaw's, and it is expected that all will be milking before the end of this season. This land- was partly developed. The higher ground, which is flat to undulating land, aggregating 1 ol) acres, is grassed, but most of the remainder of 110 acres was a peat swamp covered with a heavy growth of gorso and blackberry. Extensive drainage was necessary in addition to clearing.