The Waikato Independent SATURDAY, JUNE 29, 1929. THE CAMBRIDGE DISTRICT.

Waikato Independent, Volume XXIX, Issue 3104, 29 June 1929, Page 4

The Waikato Independent SATURDAY, JUNE 29, 1929. THE CAMBRIDGE DISTRICT.

Residents of the Cambridge district frequently claim that they live in one of the finest, most productive, and wealthiest parts of the whole Dominion, and arc justly proud of the fact. This assefrtibn is sometimes put down as an empty boast, and we have frequently seen visitors smile somewhat incredulously when they have heard such remarks passed. However, the statement is a fact that can be, indisputably proved by authoritative figures. A wellknown Cambridge resident, wh#has access to figures relating to the operations of the various dairy companies doing business in this district, informs us that the output of'dairy produce from the Cambridge district for the season just closed has reached the value of no less than £450,000. This represents the output of the Cambridge and Bruntwood Co-op. Dairy Companies, and those few creameries and factories .of the N.Z. Co-operative Dairy Co., Ltd., operating in the locality. All of these factories are in the Cambridge district proper, within a radius of a very, few miles of the Cambridge Borough, and we very much doubt if there is" any other part of the whole Dominion, of the same comparatively small area, that can show such a record. We note from the Official Year Book that the total amount of dairy produce butter, cheese and .casein —exported from the Dominion last year was valued at £18,000,000. Thus the Cambridge district's yield represents no less than one-fortieth part of that of the whole of New Zealand. This is a record of which wp may well feel proud. It shows conclusively that residents of this locality are wonderfully favoured! We have a remarkably equable rainfall—an inestimable asset for the dairy-farmer. We are singularly immune from droughts, and. excessively bad weather, even in the depth of winter, is rarely experienced. Moreover, the land responds readily to proper treatment. All credit due those persevering, resourceful and capable farmers who have persisted year by year in their efforts to improve the land in their occupation, Twenty to thirty years ago the Waikato country wuti classed as cold and hungry, and worth very little for farming purposes, while to-day it is wonderfully productive, and is steadily giving even better returns. Dairy-farming is one of the mainstays of the country, and abundant proof has been supplied that this favoured district—aptly • described recently by our worthy Mayor as ‘'the cream of the Waikato basin" —cannot be excelled for that class of farming. In spite of the wonderful results’ achieved, much more could be accomplished with the application of. more scientific and up-to-date methods of farming, in which direction so much is being done. Then, too, there arc several largo properties which might well be subdivided, 'thus increasing their productiveness, providing occupation for more families, and adding to the prosperity of the whole.,. country; ; and to Cambridge in particular. In this connection it is sincerely to be hoped that the magnificent properties now under offer to the Government by Mr. James Taylor for closer .settlement will be accepted. We venture to say that there is no property in the whole 'Dominion so eminently suited for the purpose for which it is offered, and as the Government has made closer land settlement one of the chief planks of its policy, we are most hopeful of the negotiations being carried through successfully.