IDEAL CLIMATE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26783, 28 May 1948, Page 3

IDEAL CLIMATE

PEA-GROWING PROJECT CANNING INDUSTRY ENVISAGED North Otago had an ideal climate for growing strawberries, black currants, gooseberries, and peas, .said Mr A. C. Hurst at a meeting of the Oamaru Progress League on Wednesday evening. In America quick-frozen meat and vegetables were proving very popular, and if a plant were to be installed in North Otago it would not only be a tremendous asset to the district, but would lead to the greater development of the land. Quick-frozen vegetables were already being retailed in the North Island. A canning plant would be much more useful, saicf Mr H. S. Stevens, especially for peas . ‘‘l have been told -that the land around the Totara district is among the best in the world for growing peas, and will carry much heavier crops than even in California, where areas of up to 5000 acres are put down in peas.” It was decided to obtain information about quick-freezing plant and machinery for the harvesting and treating of peas. Awambko Irrigation Farm "Everything was going splendidly until January, when, after the opening of the freezing works, the water level began to fluctuate violently," said Mr Hurst, who is manager of the league's experimental farm. Representations were made to the freezing works and the Waitaki County Council, but things went from bad to worse, even the works being short of water. “ Some of the poorest land on the farm was responding marvellously under irrigation,” continued Mr Hurst, “ but we cannot do anything without water.” At the suggestion of Mr T. R. Beatty, it was decided to approach the Public Works Department to see if the department would take some of the responsibility for keeping the inlet of the Waitaki open. “ This scheme is important not only for North Otago, but for the whole of New Zealand,” said Mr Beatty. Herbert Slate Deposits

Members suggested that with the present serious shortage of roofing iron in New Zealand the abandoned slate quarry at Herbert on the Dasher hills might again prove a commercial success. The main difficulty was the steep grade of the road leading to the workings, which had been one of the causes of the falure of the company about 50 years ago. Although there was a certain amount of spoil at present covering the surface of the original workings, it was stated that the quality of the slate was excellent, and as a roofing material it would last almost indefinitely. The meeting decided to write to the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research asking that a report- be made on the deposits. In reply to a letter regarding the possibility of constructing a Steam power generating plant, the Minister of Works, Mr Semnle, wrote to. say that he had instructed the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research to make a survey of the coal deposits in North Otago.