UNDEVELOPED LAND

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14773, 12 October 1921, Page 6

UNDEVELOPED LAND

NEED FOR RAILWAY FACILITIES. TIMBER RESERVES THREATENED. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE. Between PuUiruru and Taupo lies a vast stretch of land suitable for dairying and grazing once the necessary facilities for development are available. The distance between the two plu-ees is approximately fii miles, hut at the present time the only means of access fo r goods is by the line owned by n private concern—the Taupo To tarn Timber Co., as far as Oruanui, and thence by road to Taupo. The area contains a huge belt, of valuable timber, owned partially by private individuals, partially by the natives, and partially by the Crown. This timber should be a source of supply to Waikato for many years to come, consisting as it does of the finest tot-ara in New Zealand, magnificent rimu and other timbers.

To show what the country will do when developed, it, is only necessary to mention that the Tokoroa Co-operative Cheese Co. last year obtained the highest number of grade points for cheese in the Auckland province, and it only requires the assurance of adequate'transport facilities, for the development of the country lo be very much accelerated. At Hie present time the local railway company maintains that it is not, compelled to carry freights for settlers, and it does so only at the company's own convenience and rates.

II is obviously impossible to attract, capital into the district lo undertake development schemes on a large scale until capitalists are assured of reasonable in-freights for their manures, stores, feneimr material, etc, and outfreights for any timber they may cut, and for their farm produce. If facilities arc not given to the owners of private blocks" to get. their timber lo the Government railways, they will be compelled lo accept Hie only alternative ami to break in their country by felling and burning the bush, thus occasioning a great national loss.

Recently a Royal Commission enquired into lhe advisablencss of the Government taking over the TaupoTotara line, and although the Commission did not sec ils way to recommend the Government lo do this, it .suggested that definite steps should certainly be taken to encourage settlement of this great stretch of at present unproductive land. The suggestion was made that the settlers in the vicinity should form a local railway board to take over the line, but owing to the fact that no money is at present being earned off the undeveloped farm country, this is not possible until the bushes are milled in sufficiently large quantities to enable the freights derived from the limber to pay interest on capital and lhe major portion of the working expenses; also to provide a sinking fund so Hint the capital cost would be extinguished, before the hushes were cut mil.

The settlers have appointed .Messrs 11. W. Builoek. of Lichfield, and K. S. Cox, of dngarolo, to represent Mien/ in Wellington.

We understand that it is proposed lo merely allow the pel tiers' delegates t" eire evidence before a Departmental Committee that has been already set up. It seems a, pity when the subject under discussion is so vital, not only to the district adjacent to the line, but Lo the whole Waikato, that these gentlemen should not, be appointed to the committee, as. directly representing as they do the settlers scattered over the million acres that arc served by this line and its proposed extension. they will undoubtedly be in a position to supply first-hand informal ion in connection with the various points as they come up for * discussion; also the sctllers' views on same, which it .will hardly be possible 'for the delegates to include in their evidence.

It is to be earnestly hoped that not only in the interests of the settlers themselves, but in that of the whole province, some satisfactory basis may be reached. As we have already pointed out, the timber in this district is exceedingly valuable, ami the land upon which it stands is. from a productive standpoint, more valuable still. Timber is almost at famine prices, and it would be criminal to leave any stone unturned to prevent the wholesale destruction of this great and valuable belt. Apart from the increased production that would lake place if the development of Ibis vast stretch of country was encouraged, it would he a great factor in absorbing, in the near future, some of I lie surplus unskilled labour thai at the present lime is such a great cause of anxiety lo the Government and the local authorities.