CORRESPONDENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 30, 5 February 1925, Page 7

CORRESPONDENCE.

SAVE THE BUSH. (To the Kdltor.l sfir, —As one who lias the interest of Auckland generally hi heart, 1 am proud to know that the Auckland civic authorities have Teen fur-seeing cnou«h, to look well ulu-iicl in purchasing, through the aid. 1 urn informed, of a, Government subsidy, a large area of the Waitakcres. to conserve our natural bush for our children and their children,

and by so doing protect our water supply. I would like to draw your attention to thai which, to my mind, should be done on the northern side of the harbour. The only area o£ native bush which is now obtainable is on the estate of Mr. J. 11. Withcford, which has been purchased as a whole for cutting up purposes for small areas. Now, sir, if you have ever visited or know this bush, do you not think it would be a shame and calamity that this beautiful native bush, composed of puriris, kaliikulcas, kauri, etc., and all ferns indigenous to New- Zealand forests, should be desecrated to pure commercialism ■; Do you not think that this lovely area of natural bush, which has been conserved for at least 50 years hy Mr. J. 11. Withcford, should not be allowed to be cut out and lost to posterity by a body of men for mere gain? Is it not a fact tlutt the forest in a district adds greatly to the rainfall and country's wealth? "l have heard, a.nd know, tliat there are no areas for recreation purposes across the harbour, therefore if you could only use your influence to bring this before the local bodies interested and the public generally I am sure you would he conferring a boon upon them and the future unborn millions. My excuse for this communication is that I think it a shame and a calamity that this beautiful bush which is so easy of access to the city of Auckland, should be sacrificed for pure commercialism, and 1 think that some portion of it at least should be conserved for our people for all time.—l am, etc, JOHN NEWDICK, J.P.