Flaxmilling on the Piako.

Thames Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 10519, 1 June 1906, Page 2

Flaxmilling on the Piako.

Mil .SCOTOHEIft'iS APPLICATION,

At the Crown Lands Board meeting am application' was made by Mr G. T. ■ iScotoher, asking the Board to put up .to auction another 1000 acj'ea of flapc land on the Piako, adjoining the mill area occupied by him. He already !had 1000 acres,.but complained that in that locality such an area was. insufficient for successful milling purposes. The cost of draining the land, for the flax would not grow in stagnant water, and growing the flax, was veay high, and they had to wait five years before the flax could bei cut If thiei Board were to out up 50 sections of 2000 acres each in the Piako' for flax milling purposes, they would soon be occupied and mills in full swing upon them, to the profit both of the Government and the district.

The Commissioner (Mr J. McKenzie) said it had always- been understood' that" 500 acres am the Piako swamp wouldi, if properly cultivated, keep a mill of 50 hands well going. He. considered the flax millers in. the Piaka 'had been .very.' well treated. : >■

After deliberations, the Board decided to offer at auction the cutting rights of flaix .over an area of about 500 acres adjoining, the applicant's leasa for a period of four years.