THE MINISTER OF LANDS

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4307, 16 March 1901, Page 7

THE MINISTER OF LANDS

• HIS COMPREHENSIVE TOUR IN THE NORTH. SOME FORCED MARCHES. PROSPERITY OF THE SETTLERS. The Hon T. Y. Duncan. Alinister of Lands, returned to Wellington last night, after a tour lasting from the 24th January, id the course of which he travelled over a Wide extent of country in the North Island. “And we’ve had some forced marches, too,” said Mr Duncan, to a representative of the "New Zealand Times” last night. “It was generally six o’clock in the morning when we started onr day’s travelling, however late it might have been when we went to bed the night before.” The Alinister travelled over a wide area on the West Coast of the North Island and through the Wairarapa and Hawke’s Bay districts; then ho found himself in Auckland, and went north of Auckland, into that vast territory which is an unknown land to many, and where the sight of a Minister of the Crown was formerly something so rare that it was treasured up in history, and talked of at firesides for years. From Feilding, when tho - tour began, Mr Duncan set out in the direction of Afangaweka. and visited Rangiwahia, Taihape and other places, and the Makohine Viaduct. At Taihape. the new township of Waiorn, whicli is ready for settlement, was inspected, and the new bridge over the Tangarahu visited. The Minister went to the special settlement at Wangamoniona, and next set out for Pipiriki, travelling by steamer and afterwards by canoes. A road is being made between the river and tho Wangamoniona, five or six miles awny.so that when the roads are had iu winter, tho settlers may have an alternative means of communication with market by river. Air Hatrick is making arrangements to have a store built, - and will have a tramway by which goods may be landed quickly and safely. Waitara was the next important place of call, the Alinister then travelling up the Mokau river to the Alokau coal pits made famous by the energetic member for New Plymouth. Air Duncan says the coal is of nice, dry quality, and that the mines ought to bo very cheaply worked. When the river receives some attention it now requires, the pits will be found to he very convenient. At Awajcino, a well-grassed country, the special settlements ivere fourd to be progressing, and then the Minister turned his steps to Te Kniti and Kawhia, and on to Raglan. At the Waingaroa settlement affairs are going on well, and the settlers have decided to start a dairy factory. Here ho made arrangements for the metalling of four miles of road in order to help them out to the markets.

Having arrived at Auckland, Air Duncan proceeded to Rotorua, where the Ministerial party were guided by Sophia to the sights of the place. Sophia has a grievance just now. Tourists who visit the district help themselves to pieces of her hut, and take these away with them as mementoes of the Tarawera eruption. The well-known guide perceives that if this goes on long enough she will tee left without a house, and she has implored the Government to step in and prevent the enterprising tourists from picking tho habitation to pieces. The Alinisterial party went across Lakes Rotorua and Rotoiti, and saw the machinery at Okere Falls for the electric light and sewage system of tho town of Rotorua! As the oeople of Rotorua are anxious over an outbreak of typhoid fever which has occurred there, a deputation waited on Mr Duncan with regard to the sanitation of the town, “specially in view of the approaching visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall. His reply was that he would make representations on the matter, and have it attended to at once if possible.

Prom Rotorua the Minister went to Te Aroha and the Thames, visiting the Piako bwamp on the way. Then having returned to Auckland, he turned his course' towards the V,’ ade. Warkworth. Otamatea, Port Albert. Eaiwaka and on to Helenaville. Returning to Auckland, he next went northward to Whangarei. The (»our next included a trip down the Wairoa river, and a visit to Mangawhare Paparoa and the Tckatoka swamp. At the swamp Mr Duncan saw some of the richest and best farming land in the Auckland district. The quality of the portion which is drained may be gauged from the fact that a man who heard a settler crumbling about his lot offered him £3OO to take over his land. He sold it accordingly, and in about two or three months afterward the new owner sold it for .£llOO.

Paeroa. in the Auckland district, and Waihi. of gold mine celebrity, were also visited, and Mr Duncan went thence to Katikati and Tauranga. and drove from Tauranga to Kctorua, Here he found telegrams awaiting him asking him to return to Wellington. Then began the best forced march of the expedition. A dinner was given that night, with speeches, of course, and at half-past 12 the same night the Minister started by special train for Morrinsville, where he caught the train for Auckland. Then from Auokland he sped by train to Oneliunga, and took the steamer to New Plymouth, and there caught the express train yesterday. The trip also included a run through the Wairarapa, Speaking as to the difficulties of settlers through v the want of roads, the Minister says that at Eangiwahia and in the vicinity the settlers are all doing well, and their only cry is “Give ns roads!" The Minister hopes in a little while to meet this demand. At present teams are scarce, and labour is scarce. The worst road in the North Island is that from Dannevirke to Weber, through the Pongoroa settlement, and there is likewise some bad bits of road in the Lower Wairarapa. This matter Mr Duncan recognises as very serious. He suggests that burnt papa might he used to meet the difficulty. It would form a good crust and would no doubt be found very suitable, if it is to be got at a reasonable price.

, Mr Duncan thinks that on account of the gumiields and the timber trade the Auckland people have underestimated the importance of the land question. The young people in that district have not gone upon the land because they saw a kind of independence in these other industries. But, he went on, there is a great future before that part of the country. The climate is exceptionally fine,' whilst the worst land they have could be made good enough to carry one sheep to the acre. Pruit is grown in the north of Auckland to perfection, especially apples. He had seen apples there which he had never seen equalled anywhere. -The chief trouble of the fruitgrowers is ti» uncertainty of transport and the codlin moth. The codlin moth, however is dying out,-as some fly has appeared which attacks it. As for transport facilities, these will be increased by the railway now under construction in the direction of Port Albert.

On his way northward, the Minister of Lands looked in at the Momohaki experimental farm. It was, he says, in firstrate order. There were four or" five classes of wheat, all looking well, and poultry and everything else seemed to be in excellent condition. Of the experimental farm at Wairangi, in the Waikato, he speaks very highly. The vines growing there are in capital condition. Wattle is extensively cultivated on the farm. That which was first put in is looking only fairly well, but with the remainder the ground was worked, and about 2J cwt of bonedust put in. with the result that the crop js magnificent. To show what industry can do with even poor country, Mr Duncan points out that the uncultivated land surrounding this Wairangi farm looks quite worthless, though it is of the same quality as the land included in the farm. -

Mr Duncan arrived by last night’s express train, accompanied by his private secretary, Mr Mewninney, who was with him during a considerable portion of the tour. The Minister would have gone on to Gisborne and the East Coast district had he not received the telegrams calling him to Wellington,