BETTER THAN GOLD

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 667, 20 May 1929, Page 8

BETTER THAN GOLD

HAURAKI PENINSULA WANTS FARMS AFFORESTATION OPPOSED (From Our Oivn Correspondent) THAMES, Today. Residents of the towns and counties of tlie Hauraki Peninsula are now of tho opinion that the agricultural development of the peninsula is more likely to contribute permanently to its future prosperity than gold-mining. This opinion was expressed by a deputation of local bodies and district iitrmers who waited upon the Hon. G. W. Forbes, Minister of Lands and Agriculture, on his arrival from Coromandel on Saturday, on liis first visit to the Thames electorate. The deputation was introduced by Mr. A. Al. Samuel, M.P. Mr. H. Lowe, chairman of the Thames County Council, summarised the requests as follow: That the Land Bixtrd forthwith proceed to settle all suitable areas, within this district, and in particular an area of approximately 35,000 acres within tho Thames County, that favourable consideration bo given all applications by settlers for areas which ineludo therein land reserved lor forestry, and that such applications be referred to the local body within whose boundaries the areas are situated for its recommendation. That all departmental proposals affecting forestry reserves, which in the Thames County aggregate S-hOOff acres, or almost one-third of its total area, bo submitted to the local body affected prior to action being taken in regard to them, and in particular prior to any steps, being taken toward vesting such lands in the Forestry Department or any tenure beyond that of provisional reservation; that in tho meanwhile permanent reservation of the 84,606 acres for forestry purposes or any addition of land for forestry purposes be deferred until the further evolution of settlement in tlie district and stable economic conditions make clearer the ultimate best use of such lands. GRAZING FOR 35,000 COWS Mr. A. G. T. Bryan said the Government had spent something like £1,500,000 in draining tlie Hauraki Plains and should give settlers tlie best chances of making good. Provision would have to be made for the annual winter grazing of 35.000 cows on other areas. The view of the plains farmers was that no areas whatever which were suitable for pastoral purposes should be used for other purP °Mr.’ H. Cory-Wright said about 3.000 acres on the eastern coast of the peninsula should be offered for immediate settlement. He agreed that much of the country between Tairua and Whangamata was only fit for afforestation. Statistics were quoted by other speakers to show that the value of the peninsula country was very little known to practical farmers and that thousands of acres should be allotted for immediate settlement. Mr. W. McKay, of tlie Thames County Council, said the council had a special interest in the settlement of the unoccupied lands of the Hauraki Peninsula because two-thirds of its large area produced no revenue. The Crown lands administered 262,400 acres, of which 143,256 acres was held by the Crown and 7.745 acres by Maori owners. The council was of the opinion that the small band of ratepayers should not be burdened for all time by wholesale reservations for afforestation of land admirably fitted for setUe* merit. _ , __ The Minister said lie had been greatly impressed and was convinced the peninsula contained a considerable area that could be settled. He would confer with the Minister in charge of afforestation on the points raised. Regarding the Crown lands in the Thames County, he would confer with the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Mr. K. Graham, with a view to finding suitable areas that could be settled immediately.