PUMICE LANDS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23094, 20 July 1938, Page 14

PUMICE LANDS

DEVELOPMENT PLAN BLOCK OF 15,000 ACRES ESTABLISHMENT OF CAMPS [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] ROTOKUA, Tuesday Steps aro being taken to start developmental work on about 10,000 acres pumice lands, a good deal of which adjoins the main road approximately half-way between Potorua and 'Jaupo. Near by is the Broadlands area, now being successfully farmed by eight settlers under the Small Farms scheme. Camps are being established lor about 120 men, who will be chiefly engaged for some time in clearing scrub and fern. The whole of the 15,000 acres is Crown land under the control of the Lands Department, and the operations now pending are expected to bo the forerunner of other development work on further extensive areas of a similar class of country. Various development schemes over the district have had such satisfactory results that a rich farming future on this pumice country is envisaged. Clearing and proper fertilising have niailo the settlement of the Ngakura block under the Lands Department a success, and tho future of developed native lands is bright. Ono of these areas is the Horohoro block, in tho same valley as Ngakura. There is a good scattering of developed native areas with unit farming, the natives concerned working well on their farms. The land is to be worked under the scheme now under way is easy undulating country. On a ftw portions only will drainage be necessary. As areas are cleared of scrub and fern they will bo ploughed and cultivated and judiciously grazed, until, pasture is well established. Watering presents no technical'difficulties, for there are plenty of streams in this country.