NORTH AUCKLAND DEVELOPMENT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 59, 12 March 1935, Page 9

NORTH AUCKLAND DEVELOPMENT

MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT

VISIT TUNG TREE PLANTATION

A visit of inspection to “Tungacres, ” a large Tung Oil plantation at Te Arai, near Mangawai, North Auckland, was made on Saturday, February 9, by four members of Parliament, Messrs. A. Harris, A. J. Murdoch, W. E. Parry and A. S. Richards, at the invitation of the Directors of Natural Products (N.Z.) Limited. The holding comprises 2300 acres of undulating country, former gum land and about 500 acres have been planted in Tung Oil trees over the past three years. The visitors were conducted over the plantation by Mr. AV. V. Wilson, chairman of directors, and Mr. C. Hawley, plantation manager. It was pointed out at the outset that the use of tung oil had been realised by the western world

only comparatively recently. It was a curious fact commented on by Mr Wilson that the land which had created the great kauri forests and gum deposits was found most suitable for the cultivation of a tree tho product of- which was destined to replace the gum. The method adopted at these plantations in the cultivation of the tree which eventually reaches a height of 25ft. to 35ft. is to strip-plough the land, ancl then sow lupins for the nitrogenation and aeration of the soil. These are later turned in to build up the soil. Tung seedling propagated in the company’s nursery are then planted 23ft. distant from each other in rows the same distance apart. Astonishment was expressed by the visitors a*- 'he rapid p)ogress of the Tung Trees, many of which have shown a growth of four to six feet this season;

four-year-old’’ being up to twelve feet in height. It was clearly evident that having overcome the initial acclimatisation period the trees are developing in a very healthy manner, while the fruit spurs on the older trees indicate that a crop of Tung fruit will be gathered next season. At an informal luncheon, Mr. Wilson said the visit had been arranged so that members of Parliament could see for themselves the development of an industry which had been sometimes unfairly criticised. In expressing thanks for the opportunity to see the plantations, Mr. A. Harris ’said he had been greatly impressed by the marked development. He considered that there were great prospects of developing an industry of national importance. It had tho attributes of both a primary and secondary industry, and he expressed the hope that the company would reap the reward its efforts deserved.

Mr. W. E. Parry said that in the past he had made certain comments about the apparent lack of growth in another plantation he had seen, but he had lu admit that the methods adopted at Te Arai had resulted in vastly different progress. He strongly commended the company on the success of its enterprise. He saw wonderfully healthy growth both in the nursery and the plantation, and had a feeling that this industry was a step in the right direction. To-day we must turn our atten tion to other things besides butter, meat and wool. Tung tree-growing was important to New Zealand and should receive every encouragement -especially as there seemed no doubt that the trees can be successfully grown in North

Auckland. He was satisfied that those engaged in this industry should receive every assistance. Mr. A. J. Murdoch (Marsden) said that he had watched the development of the plantation with interest. There was ample evidence for even the most sceptical to see that Tung trees, given proper cultivation will grow luxuriantly. He was interested to hear of the methods employed by the company during the past year or two and was satisfied now that the necessary knowledge for the systematic and economical growth of the Tung tree had been acquired by Natural Products (N.Z.) Ltd. The industry should be beneficial to Northland on account of the number of men employed and the wages paid. Mr. A. S. Richards, M.P. for Roskill, said the climate, soil and conditions generally were such as would enable

> North Auckland to compete successfully with any other Tung-growing country in ; the ..world. New Zealand was reaching i its maximum in some of its primary i products, and it was time we turned : our attention to developing industries i. such as this. In his opinion, Tung I tree-growing was a God-send to New Zealand. The gap between the primary i and secondary industries to-day was too wide—too much attention had been ’ paid to primary industries, and too ■ little to secondary. Here was an indus- ■ try that was both primary and secondary. He hoped the future would bring ■ this industry to a successful fruition. Company Finance N.Z. Ltd., A.M.P. - Buildings, Christchurch, N.Z., are the ! sales agents for “Tungacres.” Respcc- ■ tive district agents, who will gladly -1 supply information on the proposition ■ are: T. Ballingall, F.P.A., N.Z., Ridg- ’ way Street, Wanganui; A. J. B. Cecily, ! A.P.A., N.Z., Main Street, Marton; and J C. Masters, Accountant, Taihape. *