BUSINESS MEN ON TOUE

Taranaki Daily News, 16 February 1933, Page 7

BUSINESS MEN ON TOUE

AT NIHO NIHO AND MATIERE MUTUAL INTERESTS DISCUSSER MEETINGS WITH THE SETTLERS. On returning to Ohura after visiting Waitaanga on Tuesday the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce delegation left immediately for Niho Niho, travelling by the newly metalled road, which branches off the main highway. There the members were met by several of th® leading settlers, including Messrs. L. Fauchelle, a member of the Ohura County Council, F. Pleasants, secretary to the A. and P. Association, C. J. Ryan, P. Goldfinch and J. P. Elwood, secretary . of the Matiere Progressive League, and the whole party then proceeded on to Matiere, via Waikaha, viewing some excellent land en route and obtaining a fine glimpse of the township from the road on the heights at the back. At Matiere the party was entertained to dinner by the Matiere Progress League. Mr. W. K. Williams, who presided in the absence of Mr._H. Gibson, the president of the association, first apologised for the late arrival of the visitors, which he pointed out was due to their having visited Waitaanga. He assured the visitors that the Matiere residents were delighted to welcome them, as it was seldom that they had the opportunity of meeting such a representative gathering. The delegation had come through in order to see the district and obtain at first hand an idea of its requirements. The visitors in turn would like to know the requirements of Matiere and Niho Niho. Already the visitors had seen a very fine portion of the district, but ha could assure them that they still had to see the best of the district that afternoon. POSSIBILITIES OF DISTRICT. Mr. A. F. Sandford, in expressing thanks for the cordial welcome and generous hospitality which had been typical' of what they had received all through, ' said that some of the members had been through the district previously, though it was his first visit All were impressed with the possibilities of the district, with its beautiful little valleys and well grassed hillsides. Of course there was a lot of land that still required breaking in. Though at present they were passing through strenuous times they must as New Zealanders keep on building up and looking hopefully to the future. The , railway line that had just been opened up must prove a great help in the progress of the district, and the settlers must see that it was properly used. It would be a great pity if for lack of enterprise the railway service- had to ba cut down. The rest of Taranaki Would, he thought, also benefit by the progress made in the district, aS he was -quite sure that in\the course of a few years the great bulk of the produce would be shipped via the port of New/Plymouth. As the result of their visit they realised the necessity-for feeder roads, and-would as far as possible assist in provided, as they regarded the district as the northern end of Taranaki. Mr. W. Sanderson said .that the settlers of the district flattered themselves, ca the fact that it was a prosperous district. They had showgrounds costing ,£l3OO and a hall costing £1250, both free of debt, as well as a dairy factory, also paid for. The district comprised nearly all small sections, and the settlers were all workers, which was the only , way to gain success. He thought that Taranaki coul<J depend upon getting a great deal of produce from the Matiere district to a few years’ time, as the district was only just beginning to produce. AINCREASE IN PRODUCTION. Mr. J. P. Elwood, secretary of th® association, as showing the progress of thei district pointed out that ten years ago they had a small factory at Niho Niho producing from 80 to 100 tons of butter per annum. Now the factory at Matiere produced 300 tons. Though they had had association testing in the district for some years they introduced group herd testing for the first time last year, and the Matiere group, which extended from Tokorima to Otangawai, averaged 2641b5. of fat in 246 days, a splendid record, whilst the top herd averaged 3621bs of fat, a remarkable feat in view of the conditions. This year - there were two groups, one at Ohura and the other at Matiere. Already there were cows producing over 5001bs. of butter-fat in the district, which owned Holly Oak Sister Sue, a full sister to Holly Oak Annie, and he thought that with the Improvements and the progress that was shown a few years should see the average production raised to SOOlbs. of fat. The marked calves showed that the herds could be still further improved. ,-He forecasted a considerable increase in ■ butter-fat. production. The district was also noted for its sheep. Several of the settlers, besides securing good crops of. wool, had topped the market for lambs at the Qhura and Taumarunui sales. The visitors had seen the necessity for reading, sb there was no need to stress that The Matiere settlers, however, would like the Railway Department to station an official at the Matiere Station, as since the porter had left there had been a good deal of pilfering. The dairy factory, too, was vitally interested in the railway service, as some of the holdings were still very large, and if they were cut down production would be still further improved. <• Mr. C. C. Bellringer, chairman of the New Plymouth Harbour Board, said that they were hopeful that the greater portion of the trade of the district would come through the port of New Plymouth, which was considered to be the best artificial port in the Dominion, capable of accommodating the largest cargo steamers that visited New Zealand and giving them speedy despatch. He-be-lieved that the district had great possibilities, and though they did not expect to receive all the trade through the port of New Plymouth at once, they were prepared to give them service. He stressed the necessity for taking advantage of the cheapest transport for their produce, fertilisers, etc. He recognised that good feeder roads were essential to the progress of the district, and .in conclusion remarked that the present depression would not always last, but that matters would improve as soon as the nations raised the trade barriers. . The party was then taken for a run through the Otangawai Valley, also for several miles along the Ohura-Mokau Road, which connects Matiere with Mokau. There is a stretch of twelve miles unmetalled, but at present two miles is being put in hand by unemployed relief labour. On returning to Matiere the party was shown by Messrs. Ross and Taylor over the hall, which is said to'be the best county hall in the King Country; and it is certainly one of which any district might well be proud. ■: -< ; About 5.30 pm. the party left via Mangatupoti for Taumarunui. Part of the road was unmetalled, but it. had dried up well and was easily negotiable, running parallel with the railway line for a considerable distance. Work in progress on the road includes a deviation which will straighten--the road and save a considerable distance. Taaimarunui was reached about 7 p.m.