CONSERVATION OF SOIL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 66, Issue 272, 29 August 1946, Page 4

CONSERVATION OF SOIL

SURVEY BY CATCHMENT BOARD / DANGER OF TUSSOCK FIRES “The whole of the pastoral areas iu the Board’s district have been systematically grouped, and the meeting at Wainaorunga marked • the completion of the series of 10 conferences between groups of runholders and representatives of the Board,” the cbairman (Dr. P. R. Woodhouse) told members at a meeting of the South Canterbury Catchment Board yesterday. “These meetings have been most \ useful in permitting the interchange, of views between those directly concerned in the pastoral industry and this Board, which is charged with soil conservation.”

Many difficult matters were discussed at these meetings. One of the most controversial was that of tussock burning as a matter of run policy. This question must, if the board is to fulfil its functions, be the subject of bylaws in the near future, the chairman added. The difficulty lay in the fact that sheep do well on freshly burnt country, and this was to the immedi- ~ ate financial advantage of the runholder and those concerned with the industry; but the effect on the vege- * tation may be one of steady deterioration. which was Inconsistent with the conservation of the soil. “There are wide variations of climate and soil in the Catchment, district, and the framing of equitable bylaws will require much thought. Most pastoralists have shown a keen appreciation of the severe damage which can, under certain conditions, be caused by fires: but the casual summer visitors to the pastoral area have, on various occasions shown by their carelessness that they are unaware of the risks of fires on the hill country. “Many people appear to think that they have the right to wander at will through the hill country in order to satisfy their desire for sport. These people should realise that, under the Stock Amendment Act, 1927, a persen commits an offence if he goes upon private land with a dog or gun and disturbs stock depastured thereon.” Dr. Woodhouse declared. In his report, the pastoral liaison officer (Mr C. J. Kerr) expressed his appreciation of’ the help and co-opera-tion given him by members of the Board in his survey of the pastoral runs, which is now complete. He mentioned especially the assistance of the chairman and Mr W. H. Hall, who had attended nearly all the meetings. About 3500 miles were travelled by the liaison officer in meeting 147 runholders. •

Mr Kerr was congratulated on the completion of his survey.