DIRECTOR OF KEW.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 30, 6 February 1928, Page 10

DIRECTOR OF KEW.

DR. A. W. HILL ARRIVES.

TRIP TO WAITAKERES

VISITOR MUCH IMPRESSED.

"AUCKLAND'S NOBLE HERITAGE."

"Magnificent!"

This one word was spoken with surprise by Dr. A. W. Hill, F.L.S., S.R.S., director of Kew Gardens, London, yesterday morning, at the moment he reached the summit of Pukcmatakeo, which, with its elevation of 1100 feet is one of the highest points in the Waitakere Ranges. Often well-known "Puke" is a glorious vantage-point, as it commands views of three harbours —Waitemata, Manukau and Kaipara, lovely panoramic views of the intervening country, and nearer and nearer the densely wooded hills, valleys and ravines of the northern end of the Waitakeres. But yesterday smoke-haze lay heavily over sea and land, a veil that hid much, but not all, as the near ranges with their grey-green forest and blue-slmded valleys showed up in startling clarity. And Dr. Hill, who has seen the best during a short and hurried visit that scenic New Zealand can offer, once more expressed his admiration. Tour of Exploration. Within a couple of hours of his arrival yesterday Dr. Hill was on his way to explore the botanical attractions of Auckland. The official party included the Mayor (Mr. George Baildon), the Town Clerk (Mr. J. S. Brigham), the' acting chairman of the City Reserves Committee (Mr. J. B. Paterson), Messrs. H. E. Vaile and G. Archey (Auckland Institute and Museum), Professor H. H. Corbin, Messrs. N. R. W. Thomas (Institute of Horticulture), T. H. Patterson, W. H. Rice (Agricultural Department), and G. Mills (Auckland Horticultural Society and ex-Kewites Club), and Dr. L. Cockayne (State Forestry Department.) At Henderson Dr. Hill was welcomed by Mr. L. H. Scott (president) and W. H. E. Paltridge (secretary) on behalf of the Henderson fruitgrowers. A visit tJ Dr. R. H. Makgill's orchard followed, and Dr. Hill was shown a healthy specimen of a Chinese gooseberry vine. He was also shown experiments to combat brown rot in stone fruit and pear leaf rolling niidge with the parasitic platygaster. It was quite a pleasant call for even non-botanical members of the party, as the peaches were ripe and easy to reach. The next call was made at Mr, j C. H. Scott's orchard to see citrus fruits, where Dr. Hill expressed unqualified approval of propagation from bud selection. i Bound for the Ranges. From the orchard country and its belts of plantations the party went on to the ranges, leaving the cars on the steep upgrade on the turnoff road from Swanson to climb to the Pukematakeo trig. A steep track through manuka led to light bush with a profusion of ferns and, young forest trees. Specimens of the para fern were viewed with interest, and when the first giant kauri tree was reached Dr. Hill unslung his field glasses and lingered. Beneath was a cluster of young rimus, and the visitor pointed to them as an instance of how reafforestation would proceed. On the crest of "Puke" blackberry and water-fern was a feature, and the Director of Kew suggested their elimination to minimise fire risk.

A fairly long walk brought the party ] to the wide and open valley where the Waitakere River winds a sinuous course j over pebbly bars with occasional placed . reaches towards the Tasman Sea. Many ; years ago a man with a big heart took c up this country and cleared it 1 for farm- c ing. Recently the land was acquired ( by the City Council, the intention being v to develop it as a mountain park. Dr. , Hill was the guest of honour at j luneh at a quaint little cottage, <j where pocket knives were used instead of cutlery, and everybody enjoyed them- r selves.. -v Among the Kauris. v The afternoon shadows were beginning " io deepen in the valley when Dr. Hill, under .the guidance of the city officials ( - and a ranger of the locality, started on a tour of exploration of The Cascades. The name is rather a misnomer for the finest piece of kauri buslTin the vicinity of Auckland city—soo acres of virgin g forest, bounded by the» Waitakere River, and on the south side rising on a steep grade to the sky-line. The party divided at this stage. The botanists faced the steepest of tracks With enthusiasm,' dfespite the heat of a summer's day, while others found solace in blackberry gathering and bathing. After a tour of exploration of The Cascades in its magnificent stands of k::uri, Dr. Hill spoke most enthusiasticai'y. j "Auckland has a hoble heritage," lie i said. "Yju are deeply indebted to those who have worked so ] ard to preserve t tlie superb forest. It is unique. Take care of it. Protect it. Preserve it, and v those who come after will revere it. No , city in New Zealand lias such a wonderful asset so close tj it." Dr. Hill said that The Cascades were singularly rich in flora, and that he was glad to have an opportunity of inspecting a kauri forest. The director mentioned the giant redwoods of California, the fact that a "Save tha Red'.roods League" had been established, and that an extensive forest area to the north of San Francisco had beeu reserved for all time. ■> Meadows of Alpine Flowers. Speaking of his tour through New Zealand, Dr. Hill said that he had been strikingly impressed with the respect people had for their public parks and reserves. It was splendid that flowers could be grown in the open without being despoiled by the hands of the vandal. Dr. Hill smiled when asked what had impressed him most on the tour. He replied that he. had seen an extraordinary profusion of flora, and had had an unrivalled opportunity of inspecting seme of New Zealand's famous scenery. He particularly enjoyed the trip tliro the Otira Gorge, also the trip to the Franz Josef Glacier, where, in the higher countrv, the endless meadows of Alpine flowers made a superb picture. At We lington he saw a typical example of rainforest at Wainui-o-mata, and appreciated the efforts that'were being made to develop Wilton's Bush. . This morning Dr. Hill visited Rangitoto, the afternoon programme including visits to Ellerslie, One Tree Hill and the Auckland Domain. \ public welcome will be given to Dr. Hill at the University College this evening.