CLEARING LAND

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21081, 6 April 1940, Page 6

CLEARING LAND

LOGGING & STUMPING PRODUCTION COUNCIL PLAN PUBLIC WORKS MACHINERY (By Telegraph.—special to Times) WELLINGTON. Saturday Arrangements have been made by the National Council of Primary Production for the use of machinery from the Public Works Department for land clearing. In view of the operating costs of the machines it will be necessary for the areas to be cleared to be reasonably close together, and the approximate cost to the farmer will be from £5 to £7 an acre, depending on the conditions. The Director of Primary Production, Mr R. B. Tennent, said that the machinery available for land clearing would be limited to that which would become available through curtailment of the present activities of the Public Works Department. The most suitable machinery consisted of large 95 h.p. tractors fitted with bulldozers and winches, and at present 12 of these units were operating on logging and stumping work, together with a special disc cultivator which had been imported. It was possible that an additional 18 large tractors might become available, in which case it was proposed to utilise them in groups of two in districts where suitable work was offering. Logging and Stumping “The most suitable work to undertake is logging and stumping," said Mr Tennent, “and in the absence of cultivating machinery this type of work is not practicable. Typical localities for development are the old sawmilling areas in Taranaki, Ohakune, Taumarunui, Westland and Southland, where timber areas have been opened up for settlement and quick progress has been retarded by the difficulty of logging and stumping. If there is a sufficient demand within a limited area, roading and draining may be a possible use for the plant, but so far the field for such operations has been too scattered. “Farmers are required to meet the full charges for clearing, and the standard charge for a 95 h.p. tractor is £2 per effective working hour, including the actual travelling time of the machines from the last completed farm to the next, but no charge is made when the machine is stopped for fuelling and oiling or weather. This works out at approximately £5 to £7 an acre, depending on conditions, but as the charge is on an hourly basis the farmer can watch operations himself and can give directions as to what stage he desires the clearing operations to be carried. Operating Costs “When it is realised that it requires £2500 to keep each large machine usefully employed for one year, it will be appreciated that there must be a guarantee of at least 500 acres for clearing, with the likelihood of clearing at least as much again before a unit can be operated in any locality. Further, the areas for clearing must be reasonably close together. Obviously, therefore, it is impossible to stage demonstrations except under these conditions, which have applied to all previous demonstrations.” Mr Tennent pointed out that there was an opportunity for clearing several thousand acres at Ohakune—enough to keep the units working there for some years. This was the type of undertaking that was sought elsewhere. Mr Tennent added that in allocating units, preference would be given to localities where the demand was likely to be similar to that described, and that in no circumstances could machines be placed where there was not the scope indicated.