A FERTILE DISTRICT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22519, 13 March 1935, Page 5

A FERTILE DISTRICT

OUTLET FOR PRODUCE REPRESENTATIONS SUPPORTED "In the course of your tour to-day you will have noticed what great improvements have been made in the roads throughout the county, compared with what they were 15 or 20 years ago. In Clydevale we still have the punt which was used to the district 60 years ago. That state of affairs is holding up the whole progress of this fertile part of the province,"' said Mr A. V. King, speaking to members of the Diiiiedin (Jliamber of Commerce who yesterday visited Clydevale in the course of an extensive country tour. During the visit the opportunity was taken by the local settlers to ask for the support of the chamber in hastening the time when the. district would be served by a bridge across the Molyneux at Clydevale. Mr King went on to say that the absence of a bridge over the river at this point was a great disadvantage to the settlers. Empuusing the fact that the punt which at present was the sole means of crossing the river was quite inadequate, he explained that well over 1000 motor vehicles per month crossed the river by means of the punt, and this took no account of other forms of traffic. A number of years ago the farmers in the Clutha Valley were given a motor road instead of a railway to serve their district, but the work had stopped short and direct connection had not been made with Clydevale. However, they now had a promise that a bridge, across the river would be built, and the settlers asked the chamber to support them in hastening the progress of the work. .About 90 per cent, of their produce went across the river at this point. The other 10 per cent, went south, but if the bridge were built that 10 per cent, would probably be diverted to the north side, and so to Dunedin or Balclutha. In addition, with a bridge at Clydevale, an alternative route south would bo provided. They had now got as far in the matter as negotiating with the Government on the subject of finance. The Clutha County Council had made an offer, and a reply was now being awaited. Supporting the request for assistance, Mr Arthur Craig told the members of the visiting party that the GreenfieldClydevale district comprised some 54,000 acres, divided into 70 odd holdings. From this district there ' were annually sent away approximately 3000 bales of wool. A total of 50.000 lambs were bred in the district and fattened for export, and a further 20,000 were brought in and fattened. In addition, the district pastured large numbers of sheep, cattle, and horses. All classes of cereals were grown there, and many years ago in competition with wheat from all parts of the world, wheat grown in that district took first prize at a South American shqw. The average production of wheat over a period of years was 20,000 sacks, and the yield in this district was from six to 10 bushels higher than the Dominion average. The wheat also gave a very high baking test. Large quantities of small seeds snch as crested, dogstail, ryegrass, clover, and brown top, were also produced each year. The speaker added that he had been told by a South American breeder that the Romney Marsh sheep shown at the Otago A. and P. Society's show were, in his opinion, the best in the world—and they were reared in the Clydevale district. If a district such as this was so productive—and 90 per cent, of the produce went to Dunedin—they would have some idea of the support which the city received from its hinterland. Mr Craig also referred to the question of mining as it applied to farm lands. As the law stood at present he said, if a person believed that gold was to be found on anv property he could peg out a claim and start work, irrespective of whether or not the land was worth anything as a mining area. Before mining was allowed to commence the ground should be 'adequately tested to prove its potential value, and alter it had been worked it should not be left in a barren state.— (" Hear, hear. ) In the course of his reply, the president of the chamber (Mr C. B. Barrowclough) said the Chamber of Commerce had been able to co-operate with the farming interests in the matter of the destruction of valuable land for mining purposes. He thought that no one was opposed to legitimate mining where the returns were assured, but it was a crying shame to see good farm land sluiced away, often for no return. If anything further could be done by the chamber the farmers could rest assured of its help. A similar promise was given by the speaker regarding the districts claim tor a bridstG. Mesrs James Hogg and A. C. Cameron also assured the settlers of their support. The speakers said that everyone was going away greatly impressed with the productivity of the district.