FARM CLEARANCE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21308, 30 March 1939, Page 3

FARM CLEARANCE

Use of Machinery

Demonstration a Great Success

By Telegraph Presf* Association WESTPORT. March 29

An epochal occasion in the history of New Zealand in the clearance of hitherto unimproved land with the aid of machinery took place yesterday at the property of Mr Frank Scott, Orawaiti, a few miles north of Westport. The scheme of farm clearance with machinery was investigated in the first instance by the Hon. P. C. Webb, Minister of Labour and Mines, and member for the Buller electorate, who saw the success achieved by the Hon. R. Semple’s endeavours in the Public Works scheme throughout New Zealand, in which schemes he did away with 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 finalisation 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 a minimum of time and at a minimum of cost was put into operation at yesterday’s ceremony.

There were three Cabinet Ministers present, all representing portfolios that are most important to the continuation of such work, namely the Hon. P. C. Webb, the Hon. R. Semple and the Hon. W. Lee Martin, Minister of Agriculture.

The demonstration was held in perfect weather and created a tremendous amount of interest, 3000 people being present from all parts of the Dominion.

The field was first cleared of stumps, hidden trees, logs, blackberry vines and rushes. Hidden obstacles, such as submerged roots, stumps and logs were brought to the surface, and when these operations were completed drainage work took place. Then the field was levelled to facilitate surface run off of storm water. The final discing operation had been performed after the surface of - the area was sufficiently dry. A large drainage canal, cut diagonally across the field was partly completed. This work was necessary to drain the swampy areas of the field, and also to provide an outlet for seepage and flood waters from the adjacent fields. Later the various machines were used in a demonstration of ditching, draining, earth boring, ploughing, seeding and rooting. Following the Inspection speeches were made by the Hons. P. C. Webb, R. Semple and W. Lee Martin, also by Messrs J. O'Brien, M.P. (Westland), B. Roberts M.P. (Wairarapa), L. G. Lowry (Otaki), J. Kilkenny (Mayor of Westport), and D. J. Archer (County chairman), who presided.

The Hon. P. C. Webb was confident that all the land in the Buller district would be cleared before the completion of the Westport-Inangahua railway, so that when the service is completed a train will be able to steam through good producing land. The Hon. R. 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 mgiht attempt to come here by meeting them while out at sea by bombers.