ABANDONED LAND

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23954, 2 May 1941, Page 9

ABANDONED LAND

RESTORATION WORK LARGE KING COUNTRY AREAS IMPORTANT PROGRESS MADE (0.C.) TE KUITI, Thursday A work of national importance is being carried out in the King Country in restoring deteriorated lands, nearly all of which had been abandoned Crown securities and had reverted to second growth. The work is being done under the auspices of the Small Farms Hoard, of which Mr. R. G. Mae.Morrau, UnderSecretary for Lands, is chairman, and is under the local control ot the lauds development branch ol the Lands and Survey Department, the headquarters of which are at Te Kuiti. The area affected extends from Whatawhata, near Hamilton, to Ohakune, and comprises Go,ooo acres. It includes about 8000 acres taken over from the Waikato Laud Settlement Society. The scheme was inaugurated in August, 1937, and, excluding the 8000 acres of the Waikato society referred to, there are wintering on the board's properties 88,000 sheep, 8000 run cattle and 700 dairy cows. There are 500 men employed on the scheme. Evidence of Improvement A good deal of credit for initiating the scheme is due to the Te Kuiti Chamber of Commerce, which to-day conducted a tour of inspection over the blocks within 30 miles of Te Kuiti. Included in the party were Mr. \V. S. Cato, chairman of the chamber, Mr. K. M. Somerville, a former Mayor of To Kuiti, Mr. 1). M. Grieg, superintendent of the scheme, Mr. A. B. Jordan, a retired superintendent. Visits were paid to the Mairoa, Ngatainahine, Kaiteringa, Kopua, Mapara and I'iu blocks, on each of which clear evidence was shown of the improvement that had been made in a lew years. Hush sickness has been successfully combated by the generous use of cobalt and salt licks. On the 30,000 acres comprising the six blocks visited, much of the second growth of fern, winebcrrv and scrub has been removed and replaced by grass. Fences have been repaired, and thousands of sheep and cattle are now running. Incentive to Occupiers All the original soldier settlers at Piu except one had abandoned their holdings. These have been taken over, and other abandoned Crown sections adjoining have been formed into one block and are now being improved and made productive. This area lies along the main highway south of To Kuiti, and the work of the board has been instrumental in tidying up the back door of the town.

Dairying is being carried on on six holdings at Ngatamahine. the occupiers being granted a bonus on their butterfat and pig returns apart from the .£ f 10s a week paid to each employee. The bonus has acted as a great incentive to the men whose efficiency as farmers is being tested. The visitors were greatly impressed by what they saw to-day, and by the enthusiasm of the superintendent and supervisors. The results achieved are most impressive, and should do much to remove the stigma attaching to deteriorated lands in the King Country.