THE NORTH ISLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 3342, 3 April 1918, Page 11

THE NORTH ISLAND.

(From Oub Own Cobeespondent.) THE RECENT BIG FIRE. During the past week the pall of smoke lifted from the lire-affected area of the Mam Trunk line, and & oocter idea has been gained of the great damage done to farms and farm property. While it has been disclosed that immediate losses will run uito many thousands of pounds, the position a not quite,, so bad nor so hopeless as it seemed at" first. The losses ; of stock are, of course, serious The country cannot afford such a wastage just now, and from that aspect the Waimarino and Upper Wanganui district fires may be considered in the light of a national calamity. On the other hand, if the settlers have not paid too dearly for future success, their reward will be great. A great area of country has been cleared up, and the sowing of the grass seed over the ash will improve the sole of grass considerably. One well-known settler up the Wanganui River informed me that, though he had lost heavily as a result of stock being destroyed, he waa a big gainer in another respect. Owing to the shortage of labour he had been unable to get any of his land cleared, and under ordinary circumstances it would have taken a few years to get all the timber cleared and the area put down in pasturage. The cost of putting the land in the productive state he wanted It would involve an expenditure of several hundred pounds, yet in one hour the fire did all the clearing he wanted. So fierce was the fire that it consumed everything on tho holding in question, and lelt his laad beautifully clear of timber encumbrance, and made it ready for the grass seed, which he intended sowing right away. He anticipated a ready response; and "though," he said, 'T have lost heavily in stock, I find my farm several years ahead of what it would have been under normal conditions." This Wanganui River farmer's experience is not exceptional; and, as already indicated, though direct losses have been heavy, it is confidently believed that in a few years' time, when the great Waimarino has substantially increased its productiveness in wool, mutton, etc., the Dominion will come to realise the the fires of March, 1918, which caused"such devastation, were in reality a blessing in disguise. One of tho features of the aftermath was the'quick action of some merchants to bump \ up the price of grass seed; but enterprise in that direction was promptly checked by the Government. The Hon. D. H. Guthrie (Minister of Lands) more than justified his inclusion in Cabinet' rank by the very thorough manner in which he tackled tho whole situation arising from, the fires. His two visits to the districts, and his personal kindness, sympathy, and practical help inspired every confidence, and the settlers feel that in the new Minister of Lands they have a sincere friend. He undoubtedly rose to tho occasion in a real statesmanlike way, and ho lost no timo in getting State officials to assist the settlers in computing their losses and making plans for the future. A prompt sowing of seed was absolutely necessary to turn' the fires to good account, and early in tho week the Commissioner of Crown Lands at Wellington and two Crown rangei-9 had a conference with farmers who mifferod from the fire. The question of grass-seed supplies was gone into, and the farmers asked that tho Government should advance tho monov for the purchase of seed for a period extending over three years, tho first repayment of half tho cost to fall duo on April 4, 1920, and the second on April 4, 1921. The Commissioner agreed to make •-a,' recommendation to the Government on the lines suggested, and he stated that he would station Mr Lundius, a Crown ranger, in Raetihi for some time to come. The farmers were grateful for the consideration shown, as it would enable thorn to keep in touch with the State officials in the matter of their requirements^ Members of the National*Efneiency Board have also visited Raetihi in connection with tho administration of funds subscribed by the public, and provided by the Government, with tho object of putting tho expenditure on an equitable basis. Generally speaking, therefore, everything possible Is being dono to repair the damage in the Waimarino, and to place the settlers in

such a position that the creation of new pastures, the replacing of stock, and the erection of dwellings and homesteads will be proceeded with in an expeditious manner. DEVELOPMENT OF THE NORTH. The development of North Auckland is not likely to be lost sight of while the North Auckland Development Board is in existence. Composed ( of some of the ablest men of the north, the board is making every post a winning post m the effort to bring tlie claims ot tne north before the rest of the Dominion. The '"neglected north" is now a misnomer, or the country is not only being continually visited by Ministers «of the Crown, , but it is being inte'rseeted by a trunk railway, which, when completed, will bring large areas of productivo' country into close connection with the' city markets. The railway, of course, is not sufficient. Good roads are wanted, and this great proposition is now engaging the attention of the North Auckland Development Board. During the week a meeting of that body was held, and was attended. Dy 24- delegates, who represented connecting parts 61 the whole peninsula territory, extending from, the North Cape to the southern boundary of the Waitemata County. At such a representative gathering, it was only natural that the roading question should have precedence. County combination was advocated towards the raising of a loan large enough to provide for the proper construction of arterial roads, and tlie foHowing resolution was carried:—"That the question of taking over the main arterial roads be again urged upon the Government and upon the Auckland City and district membera of Parliament at a meeting to be held in Auckland next month, and that all county councils in New Zealand be asked to support the proPo3a ' SHORTAGE OF CHAFF. There is a very acute shortago of horse feed in the north, and in the Wairarapa a day or two ago as high as £8 10s per ton was offered tor oaten-sheaf chaff. In the Auckland province the shortage of chaff has been very serious indeed, and just lately prices have advanced to something between ,-Jll and £l2 per ton because of southern shipments not arriving. Southerners may not auite understand why there should be such 'a vast difference between Auckland prices and those ruling in the south, where quotations range from £4 to £4 10s a ton, but the simple reason is that very little chalf. comparatively speaking, is produced in tho Auckland district. _ Furthermore, this season's crop of oats. is said to bo lighter than usual, combined with the fact tnat shipping space cannot be found for chaff from the south. So serious has the problem become that in several instances country contractors, who have to keep numbers of working horses engaged on road contracts, have been obliged to reduce their plants to the minimum, antl the progress of works in hand has been seriously retarded in consequence. One Auckland merchant, in referring to the acuteness of the position, said he knew of cases where local dealers had bought parcels of oats in the south early in the season, and, owing to their inability to procure shipping space, bad been compelled to sell the oate again in the south. Tho difficulty has been accentuated by reason of the fact that the Rangi'tikei district this season went in largely for the growing of wheat, and as that district, generally provides big supplies of chaff the quantities usually railed away have been decreased correspondingly. _ It seems that farmers in the south are losing a valuable market in the north because of their inability to get their produce to an appreciative market in the north. NATIVE LAND QUESTION. * The Native land question is continually being advanced in those districts whioh suffer from the effects'of Maori landlordism. In the Mangonui County, it is alleged, the Natives are actually able to control rate expenditure without contributing anything. The matter came before tho North Auckland Development Board, and it was contended that if the rates were paid on a valuation, basis the contribution from the Crown and Natives would be jointly moro than paid by Europeans. Moreover, it was also stated that the Natives even now made use of the hospital, but gave nothing towards its upkeep; Eventually the following resolution was earned: —"That each of the nine counties in the north be asked to supply a return givirig the unimproved value of "all Native-owned lands, the capital value of such lands, the amount of rates paid, and the amount due." MAORI LEASES. While the North Auckland Development Board have been considering the way in which Maori landlordism is affecting the revenue of their northern counties, the authorities of the middle portion of the island have been engaged considering the tenure in Te Kuiti, Otorohanga, and laumaranui. Although the Maoris own the land they take- no part in the lite ot the several towns mentioned; and the tenure of the land offers no encouragement to tho onterprising pakeha, As a matter of fact the only tenure that a white man can get for a piece of land in one of these towns is a 21-years' lease, with a perpetual right of renewal, subject to a revaluation every 21 years. Tho revaluation is the Government valuation for taxation purposes. If at tho end of the period tho lessee does not care to renew tho lease for any reason, it is put up to auction, and from the proceeds of the sale the former lessee is repaid for his improvements. This lease has never given any satisfaction to the lfcssees, who have built houses, made streets, and erected business premises where 15 years ago ti-tree o-rew in swamps. Recent valuations have, apparently been very high—so high, in fact, that if the lessees had to pay tho rents based upon them, many occupiers of land clo not think it worth while to renew their leases. Then, if any of tho lessees abandoned their lease for such a reason, and there were no bidders for the lease when submitted for auction according to law requirements, the land, with all improvements, would revert to the Native owner. That aspect of the matter has been much discussed latoly, and during tho week it was submitted to the Prime Minister by a depu tation from the King Country. Tho deputationists suggested that tho only manner in which the facts, with reliable advice, could bo properly obtained for the Government was by the setting up of a commission of, say, three members, two of whom should be' residents in tho districts affected. _ The difficulties were not quite the same in aIJ the three towns,, and it would be a matter of some difficulty to evolve a scheme suitable for all of them. In reply to tho/ deputation, the Prime Minister grave the assurance that the Government would do everything possible to straighten out the difficulties which had arisen; as a matter of fact tho Government had intended to do something to relieve tho situation by purchasing tho

NatiVe land in the towns, but the war had come* along and had altered the financial position very much indeed. But for the war ho was sure that the tenures in these townships would have been in a very much moro satisfactory position. Personally, he had no objection to the setting up of a Royal Commission, but the matter was one that would have to go before Cabinet. Ml Massey, however, gave the deputation to understand that it would not be possible to do anything in the way of legislation, if legislation should be required to deal with the matter. SOFT TURNIP TESTS. A very interesting experiment has been conducted on the Stratford model dairy farm in the matter of growing soft turnips, and just recently Mr J. W. Deem, Government Fields Supervisor, weighed a number of varieties.. The results are given below, and are rather illuminating. Lincolnshire Red Globe, Carton's Long-keeper Yellow, and Thornburn's White Egg were most free from rot, whilst the two. latter promise to be good keepers:— Sharpe's Fostertori*Hybred—Roots, 16 tons 17cwt; tops, 7 tons 4cwt; —total, 24 tons lewt. Rotten, 3 per cent. Remarks: Fair quality. Sharpe's Waitcs Eclipse—Roots, 19 tons 19owt; tops, 7 tons 14cwt; —total, 27 tons 13crwt. Rotten, 3 per cent. Fair quality. Sharpe's Model Green-top—Roots, 12 tons 17cwfc; tops, 4 tons 14cwt; —total 17 tons llowt. Rotten, 2 per cent. Quality good. Garton's Long-keeper Yellow—Roots, 26 tons lOcwt; tops, 5 tons 18cwt; —total, 32 tons Bcwt. Rotten, .05 per cent. Very fine turnip. Sutton's Favourite Purple-top—Roots, 19 tons 6cwt; tops, 5 tons 2cwt; —total, 24 tons 7cwt. Rotten, 2^-per "cent. Fair quality. Sutton's Green-top Aberdeen —Roots, 15 tons 2cwt; tops, 6 tons 9cwt;—total, 21 tons llowt. Rotten, 2 per cent. Good quality. Sutton's Romney Marsh —Roots, 20 tons 2cwt; tops, 6 tons 9cwt; —total, 26 tons llowt. Rotten, 2 per cent. Going off. Sutton's Purple-top Aberdeen —Roots, 16 tons lowt; tops, 5 tons 15cwt; —total, 21 tons 16cwt. Rotten,' 2 cent. Fair quality. Cooper's Hardy Green Globe—Roots, 25 tons Bcwt; tops 6 tons 9cwt; —total, 31 tons 17c\vt. Rotten, 2 per cent. Going off. Cooper's Romney Marsh —Hoots, 21 tons 17cwt; tops,- 4 ton's 16cwt; —total, 26 tons 14cwt. Rotten, 2 per cent. Cooper's Imperial Green Globe, No. 1— Roots, 35 tons; tops, 5 tons 3cwt; —total, 40 tons 3cwt. Rotten, 1 per cent. Splendid turnip. Cooper's Imperial Green Globe, No. 2 Roots, 29 tons 18cwt; tops, 4 tons 17cwt;— total, 34 ton 3 15cwt. Rotten, 4 per cent. Quantity good; lot rotting. Cooper's Lincolnshire Red Globe —Roots, 28 tons 9cwt; tops, 8 tons 7cwt; —total, 36 tons locwt. None rotten. Nice turnip; few soft. Cooper's Red Paragon—Roots, 25 tons scwt; tops, 8 tons 7cwt; —total, 33 tons Iscwt. Rotten, l£ per cent. Getting a bit fuzzy. Sutton's Red Paragon—Roots, 21 tons lOcwt; tops, 7 tons 14cwt; —total, 29 tons 4owt. Rotten, 1 per cent. Getting a bit fuzzy. . Sutton's Purple-top Mammoth—Roots," 28 tons 9c\vt; tops, 6 tons 9cwt;—total, 34 tons 18cwt. None rotten. Going off badly. Cooper's Purple-top Mammoth —Roots, 30 tons 17cwt; tops, 8 tons 7cwt; —total, 39 tons 4cwt. Rotten, 1 per cent. Going off badly. Thornburn's White Egg—Roots, 33 tons 18owfc; tops, 4 tons 14cwt ;—total, 38' tons 12owt. None rotten. Splendid turnip. Thornburn's Early American Purple-top— Roots, 32 tons 3cwt; tops, 4 tons 14cwt; — total, 36 torn 17cwt. Rotten, 2 per cent. Good turnip, but going off a bit. The turnips have all done well. Among the , new varieties Garton's Long-keeper Yellow and Thornburn's White Egg promise to be very useful. SALE OF NORTH AUCKLAND LAND. A rather important land sale was held at Dargaville on Saturday last, when 12 sections of the Strathmore Estate, in Okahu, and a couple of sections of improved land a'fc Aoroa, four or five miles from Dargaville, were put up by auction. The Aoroa property brought excellent prices, showing that land values in that locality are fairly high. Twelve acres were knocked down to Mr Hansen, of Tutamoe. at £35 per acre, and 32 acres to Mr F. Van Veen, of Auckland, a't £3B per acre. Strathmore sold as follows: —Section 2, 144 acres, to Mr R. Strang (Raupo), £8 5s per acre; section 3, 75 acres, Mr J. Simpkm (Arapohue),_ £7 _lss; section 4, 37 acres, Mr Walter Simpkin (Arapohue), £8 ss; section 5, 180 acres, _ Mr J. Martin (Hore Hore), £9 10s; section 8, 165 acres, Mr W. Copelahd (Okahu), £5; section 11, 51 acres, Mr J. Ambury (Raupo), £lO 10s; section 13. 26 acres, Mr C. Bat'tensby (Okahu), £7. are reservists' farms going back:? • When reservists were taken from the land there were not a few who prophesied That soldiei's farms would go back again. On the other hand, there were those who expressed every confidence in the National Efficiency Board to prevent any such thing occurring. In the Gisborne district, however, there are evidences that in some in-" stances fern, white and carpet fern, tu'tu, and scrub have taken possession to such an extent that the Gisborne Efficiency Board trustees have been asked to supply csr'fcain information with regard to the matter. Local bodies have been appealed to for assistance, and the following questions have been submitted: —Have any of the lands in your district g_one back? If so, kindly give reasons. What are the prospects for the future, next season in particular? ABSENTEE SOLDIER SELECTORS. At a meeting of the Taranaki Land Board a letter was received from the Commissioner of Crown Lands reviewing the case of a returned soldier selector, who had not been working his section to the satisfaction of the board. It was resolved to re-enter and determine the lease. The unsatisfactory position of another returned soldier selector was brought before the board, and it was decided to inform the lessee that he must commence personal residence on the land within two months' time. THE WHEAT QUESTION. A good deal of discussion is taking place in grain-growing districts over the persistent demand mado by Canterbury farmers for a guarantee of 7e a bushel for next season's wheat crop. In Rangitikei Mr E. Newman, M.P., recently made a stirring appeal to the farmers of that district to keep on growing ivheat in the interests of the Empire, even though they lost on the transaction, the difference between profit and loss, to be advanced as a gift to the

patriotic funds. Whether Mr Newman's appeal will result in the Rangitikei farmers repeating their last year's sowings or the Wairarapa farmers their' last season's experiment remains to be seen; but it is confidently believed that a good area will again go down in wheat in order to assist the world's great problem of foodstuffs. At the same time there is a growing feeling that New Zealand should make Australia its source of supply. Across the Tasman Sea there is a huge production of grain, and it is generally believed that, with the great surplus of wheat that apparently obtains, the New Zealand Government could make arrangements with the Commonwealth for supplies at a figure considerably below the price suggested by the farmers of Canterbury. The question is a very big one, indeed; but many difficulties would be removed and the situation greatly improved were growers to look at it from the samo viewpoint as Mr Newman, member for Rangitikei. A LUCERNE ELEVATOR. , A useful instrument in 'the ( shape of a lucerne elevator has been invented" by Mr Gane, a farmer, near Elthanff An old mowing machine has been utilised for the purpose, the gearing serving to operate endless chains that carry the laths (fitted with short, slightly curved spikes that pick up the lucerne) up the elevator frame. The angle of this is such., that the lucerne falls from the top of the elevator on to a two-horse dray, to which the elevator is attached.