NATIVE LAND

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23022, 27 April 1938, Page 18

NATIVE LAND

DEVELOPMENT iWORK GOOD RESULTS IN NORTH EMPLOYMENT OF MAORIS SHEEP AND DAIRY COUNTRY Excellent results are being obtained by the Native Lands Department in the development as a block in preparation for settlement of 2371 acres of land at Ounuwhao, about three miles from Dargaville. About 500 Maoris are being employed thereon, part of the wage cost of which is being found by the department and the balance from the Employment Promotion Fund. This is one of the few largo remaining blocks in the north which it is feasible to develop as a whole before settlement, ! most of the native land being well scattered in small areas. The ultimate object at Ounuwhao is to subdivide for sheep, with a limited number of dairy farms. The land is undulating to hill country and is fairly well watered. Were it not for the employment offering in the development scheme, quite a number of Maoris in the district would be dependent on what road work was available. So far about 300 acres of cea-tree scrub and fern have been burned off preparatory to sowing in grass, and about three miles of fencing have been constructed. Haulage of timber is done by bullocks, which will be used also for ploughing. In the next 12 months it is hoped that a further ,700 acres will be cleared and cultivated. Improvement of Native Holdings A striking example of what can be done in the direction of assisting Maoris to improve their holdings and bring them into productivity is provided at Whatawhiwhi, 27 miles from the Rarikari Peninsula, in the Mangonui Cdunty. This isolated settlement has been without road access, but for some months the Public Works Department has been engaged in constructing an unmetalled road running north and south across the peninsula, between Karikari Bay and Tokerau Beach, which will serve the needs of the natives. It replaces what was previously a rough track. Sixteen Maoris with about 70 dependants are grazing and improving their ancestral acres, helped by loans from the department, which have provided stock, fencing and implements.

About 2000-odd acres represent the holdings, most farms averaging 100 acres, about 50 acres of which are grassed. Each farm grazes an average of 18 to 20 cows. Development work is assisted from the Employment Promotion Fund, the Maoris breaking in the land and receiving payment of wages on a contract basis, the returns from dairying not being sufficient so far to make them independent of such assistance. Nevertheless, a butter-fat production of 90,0001b. in the past three years suggests that, in spite of the difficult type of country owned by the Maoris, "the assistance given by the department is working toward a practical solution of the problem of their support.

/ Impending Settlement Another area in the Mangonui County is being developed as a block. This is at Manakau, near Herekino, south-east of Kaitais,. It comprises over 800 acres. Four hundred acres have already been fairly well developed by the department, and in the near future it is proposed to Bettlo about eight Maoris thereon. The developed area has been fully fenced and there is a good sole of grass. _ " 'The question of erecting buildings is now under consideration. Development work here is proving of value in employing Maoris who otherwise are largely dependent on seasonal employment. On this block about 100 acres have been cultivated preparatory to the autumn sowing of grass. So far about 180 -cattle and some sheep are grazing on the developed portion of the block.