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Page:Tramps in the Far North-Hector Bolitho.djvu/13

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THE NORTH
ITS COMMERCIAL ASPECT

HE four million acres which stretch to the North of Auckland are almost a commercial precis. Land is reasonably cheap, and conditions compare favourably with Taranaki, Canterbury, and other such districts. The character of the land varies, and often the poorest “gum lands” are capable of growing high quality fruit when properly treated. The sandstone country is very successfully worked, and we continually hear of record pastoral achievements.

The limestone country is especially popular for grazing, and the Whangarei, Mahurangi, Hokianga and Kaipara counties, most of which are limestone, carry grass well.

The limestone, of course, has commercial value in itself, and cement is already being manufactured in some places.

It will be many years before the North reaches its limit of production, as the greatest need is for settlement. There are fortunes lying dormant in this great undeveloped tract of country, and it needs only enterprise, efficiency, and knowledge, to make this a great outpouring of wealth.

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