GROWING POWER POLES.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 161, 9 July 1926, Page 8

GROWING POWER POLES.

WAITAKARURTT PLANTATION.

THAMES VALLEY BOARD'S SCHEME.

(From Our Own Correspondent)

PAEROA, this day. Authorities competent to speak on the subject predict a world-wide shortage of timber in the near future if the present rate of cutting is maintained, and, likewise, afforestation companies anticipate reaping big profits when the trees now being planted reach maturity. With a view to ensuring an adequate supply of poles to maintain its power lines and provide for extensions without having to pay exorbitant prices, the Thames Valley Electric Power Board has acquired an area of 500 acres near Waitakaruru, Hauraki Plains, for the purpose of planting trees that will become suitable for use as poles. In this project it has had the encouragement and assistance of the Government. The area chosen lies on the southern side of the Waitakaruru-Pokeno main highway, about four miles from Waitakaruru, and for the most part is easy rolling hills, at present covered with titree and scrub. The land is of poor quality, but for tree-growing this i≤ an advantage, for the slower a tree grows the better the quality of the timber. The proposed Paeroa-Pokeno railway route is surveyed along the road frontage, and there is a railway station site within a short distance, thus ensuring easy and convenient transportation. It is proposed to have ten acres planted during the coming season, but this may not eventuate, as the assistance of an officer of the State Forestry Department is to be obtained to map out a scheme of work extending over thirty years, and it would not be advisable to do anything without his cooperation. The land will require to be fenced and cleared, and firebreaks will have to be ploughed and kept effective. The ten-acre objective was aimed at for the present season because the State Forestry Department can only supply plants for that area at present.