BIG SWAMP TOUR.

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16750, 17 March 1926, Page 8

BIG SWAMP TOUR.

FOUR MINISTERS TO PARTICIPATE. IMPORTANT EVENT FOR WAIKATO. Undoubtedly the most representative and distinguished party of visitors which has ever visited tho district, will lake part in tho swamp inspection tour to-morrow. The, function, which has been arranged by the Waikato Swamp Development League, whose object, as its name indicates, is to foster the development of the huge area of 57.000 acres of peat land lying idle closely adjacent to Hamilton, promises to be a huge success and something definite should be the result.

The Ministers of the Crown who will take part in the trip are: Hon. A. D. MeL/'od, Minister of Lands; Hon. O. Hawkcn, Minister of Agriculture; Hon. .1. A. Young, Minister of Health, and Hon. R. F. Bollard, Minister of Internal Affairs. About 10 members of Parliament, including Messrs F. F. Hockly (Rotorua), A. R. Harris (Waitemata), W. .T. Jordan (Manukau), E. D. McLcnnan (Franklin), A. M. Samuel (Ohincmuri), T. W. Rhodes (Thames), Allen Bell (Bay of Islands), F. M. Barlram (Grey Lynn), and J. C. Rollcston (Waitomo) will also participate. In addition the party will include Messrs J. B. Thompson (Under-Secretary for Lands), O. N. Campbell (Chief Government Drainage Engineer), A. J. Baker (Inspecting Engineer lo • tho Public Works Department), G. P. Newton (Assistant Under-Secretary to the Department of Internal Affairs), K. M. Graham • (Commissioner or Grown Lands, Auckland), together with representatives of the Auckland Harbour Board, the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, the Auckland City Council, and many other local body organisations throughout the province. The object of the lour is to show the visitors what can be done with the swamp lands and lo let them see for themselves Ihe large area which is now lying idle awaiting proper treatment to convert it into fertile pasture land.

The much-discussed report on the Woodlands swamp, prepared by responsible Government ofllccrs after two years' investigation, is such as to fix a period of 10 years as the limit within which the whole area can be brought into such a state as to carry grass and give a good return from dairying. The party, will leave the Hamilton Post Office by cars at 10.30 a.m., proceeding through Gordonton and Hukanui to Law's Hill, on the main Gor-donton-Tauhei Road, whence a return will be made via the Piako-Motu-maoho Road to the property of Messrs Riddington Bros., and of Mr A. W. Chapman, senr. At this point lunch will be provided and the speeches of the day will be made. ,

Subsequently it is hoped to view the lands nearer to Motumaoho, which have recently been considered in connection with large llaxmilling projects and to return to Hamilton through Puketaha.