LAND CLEARING.

Otaki Mail, 31 March 1939, Page 1

LAND CLEARING.

MODERN MACHINERY PROVES ITS EFFICIENCY. DEMONSTRATION IN WESTLAND WESTPORT, Last Night. An epoch-making occasion in the history of Netv Zealand in the clearance ol' hitherto unimproved land with the aid of machinery commenced this morning at the property of Mr. Prank Scott, Arawniti, a few miles north of Westport, in the centre of the Puller district. The scheme of farm clearance with machinery was investigated in the lirst instance by Hon. I\ C. Webb, Minister of Labour and Mines and member for the Buller electorale, who saw the success achieved by Hon. It. Semple's endeavours in public works schemes throughout New Zealand, in which schemes he did away with the old “pick and shovel and wheelbarrow brigades” and installed the best machinery the world has yet known for such purposes and broke records for quick iinnlisation of such works. The interest taken by Mr. Webb was deep and he was not content until his idea that machinery could clear land in the minimum of time and the minimum of cost was put into operation. Considerable Public Interest. At to-day’s ceremony there were three Cabinet Ministers present, all representing portfolios that are most important to the continuation of such work, namely, Hon. P. C. Webb, lion. R. Semple and Hon. W. Lee Martin (Minister of Agriculture). Held in perfect weather, the demonstration created a tremendous amount of interest, f'OOC people being present from all parts of the Dominion. The iiold was lirst cleared of stumps, hidden trees, logs, blackberry vines and rushes. Hidden obstructions, such as submerged roots, stumps and logs, were brought to the surface. When these operations were completed drainage work took place. Then the lield was levelled to facilitate the surface run-off of storm water. Tho haul discing operation was then performed. After the surface of the area was sufficiently dry a large drainage canal cut diagonally across the lield was partly completed. This work was necessary to drain the swampy areas of the lield and also to provide an out let for seepage and Hoodwaters from the adjacent fields. Later the various machines wore used in a demonstration of ditching, draining, earth boring, ploughing seeding and rooting. Whole District to bo Cleared Following tho inspection, speeches were made by Hons. Webb, Semple and Lee Martin, and also by Mr. J. O’Brien, M.P. for Westland, Mr. 13. Roberts, M.P. for Wairarapa, Mr. L. 0. Lowry (Otaki), Mr. .1. Kilkenny (Mayor of Westport) and Mr. D. ,T. Archer (county chairman), who presided. Mr. Webb said he was confident that all the land in the Puller district would be cleared before the completion of the Westport-Inangahua railway, so that when the service is completed the train will be able to steam through good producing land. Mr. Semple regarded a larger population as necessary for New Zealand and this would be aided by the use of modern machinery in bringing more land under cultivation. New Zealand's first line of defence was in the air and every preparation was being made to hold off any enemy that might attempt to come here by meeting them while out at sea by bombers. LONDON DAIRY MARKET. By arrangement with the Primary Products Marketing Department the following information is supplied (last week's quotations in parentheses): — j Butter. New Zealand: Halted, 110 s (llSs); unsalted, 12U.S to 122 s (1225). Deliveries, New Zealand, 1072 tons; in store, New Zealand, 501 S tons. Australian: Halted, Ills to 115 s (117 s); unsalted, 115 s to 110 s (115 s). | Deliveries, Australian, 1570 tons; in | store, Australian, 1507 tons. Argentine: Unsalted, 109 s to Ills '■ (not quoted). Danish: Ills, f.0.b., 135 s to 136 s spot (Ills, 135 s to 1365). | Dutch: Unsalted, Ills, ex 117 s (Ills! to 115 s). Polish: Halted, 113 s (115 s); unsalted, j Ills (115 s). South Africa: 109 s to 112 s (113 s to! 115 s). Market quiet. Retail prices un- ] changed. New Zealand, Is 3d, Is 2d; 1 Danish, Is Id. Cheese. New Zealand: White and coloured,* 60s (60s). Deliveries, New Zealand,! 13,510 crates; in store, New Zealand, | 93,791 crates. Australian: White, 53s to 56s (51s to 575); coloured, 51s to 53s (56s to sSs).| Canadian: White, 71s to 71s (72s to j 735); coloured, 72s to 735, ex 71s (735); old season’s coloured, S2s (525). De-j liveries, Canadian, &29 boxes; in store, Canadian, 93,600 boxes. ; English: Finest farmers’, S6s to 96s j (SGs to 965); faetorv cheese, 63s to 61s (625). South African: White, 57s to 5Ss (not quoted). j Market quiet. New Zealand retail j price unchanged Sd.