VAST PROSPECTS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19025, 27 May 1936, Page 12

VAST PROSPECTS

THE EAST COAST LINE DEVELOPS EXT OF. AREA INCREASED SETTLEMENT Tile increased set tlement-of many thousands of acres. Iho economic production of primary produce irom these, and a marked advance in the production irom those areas which tire already settled, are assured results from the completion of the. East {'oast railway which is now once again in the course of construction, says the Napier Telegraph. In considering the many advantages which will result from the provision of a railwav service through the country north of Napier to Wairoa and Gisborne, it may he slated that the Government is not undertaking . the work without definite knowledge of the benefits which would accrue to ihe country concerned, nr of the remarkable increases in productive ability id land which has already been treated with fertilisers lor the transport of which a railway service is economically essential. There are, in fact, numerous instances of areas, to he served by the line which have been treated with fertilisers, despite the heavv cost of transport involved under the present conditions, and which have responded so well that the increased production which has resulted has more than just died the measures adopted. ,SU('(.ThSiSKl'l> RESULTS jn detail the achievements of a number of settlers in the Tutira district may he quoted. In this area there was previously a great quantity of land which not only refused to hold pasture grasses under natural conditions, but. which appeared almost completely hopeless from tiie viewpoint of a. man who was trying to make a living from the land. The soil was light and where English pasture grasses were sown at considerable expense to the farmer, tin* result was that alter a vear or so there was a seemingly inevitable reversion to native grasses ol the poorer types.

Superphosphate then came oil to the scene, however, and where this was applied methodically by the farmers concerned. the land was improved almost beyond belief, and in very many eases at ’ the present time carries, a good sole of ryegrass, clovers, cocksfoot and other desirable pasture plants. The advent of subterranean clover lo such districts has also been of very great, importance and has in a number of instances increased Iho carrying capacity of 1 lie land threefold or more.

ACOUi. PER COW In one instanee where dairying is carried out in this territory it may be stated that during the season now drawing to a close, one farmer on land which was. prior to tup-dressing, approaching the valueless sliige, Ibis season averaged 1001 b. butterfat per cow. Another most important point in regard to the completion of the railway is 1 1 10 manner in which the provision ol railway facilities will open the door for the transport, of stock to the south. In undertaking the completion of the railway, the Government- lias a definite interest in the future development of Ihe land through which it passes, for between Bay View and Waihua the Erown owns over 150.000 acres, the whole of which is land which will respond readily to the application of topdressing. This is quite apart from an area of 29.000 acres, comprising the Nakariki settlement which is now being developed by the Government and which v, ill at a later date he subdivided for settlenient purposes, and a further area of 10.0 GO acres which is at present held u ider leases hut which will be subdnided at an early date and thrown open for selection.

Almost the entire area referred to is of a light puiniecotiß nature hut in the case of the Kakariki property Ibis land las been proved to respond in the most amazing fashion to attention with topdressing.

rn.T OF M ATI'IIIA LS One important point is that in order ■ i successfully achieve the subdivision ; sticli land it is essential for economic asuns that such materials as fencing • >sts and wire should be obtainable at •asonable rates, especially where the ,it m e of the- land itself makes it- imcrative to expend some, considerable ■oney before adequate returns may lie '•peeled, ruder the existing conditions ie transport charges connected with em iiig materials make close subdiviion of properties an impossibility, and s the close subdivision of land is an , sseiilia! factor in modern successful .’arming, those engaged on the land con-n-mod "ha ve been laced with a problem which, without Hie. completion of the railway and the provision thereby ol economical transport, would probably prove insurmountable.