FORESTRY SCHOOL.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 269, 13 November 1928, Page 9

FORESTRY SCHOOL.

CLAIMS OF AUCKLAND. VALUABLE BUSH NEAR CITY. EARLY DECISION URGED. ————— i The Government is to be requested to settle the location of the New Zealand School of Forestry as soon as possible. At present there are two schools, one mi Auckland and one in Canterbury, but it is proposed to establish one for the whole of the Dominion.

The claims of Auckland were submitted to the University College Council yesterday in a special report by Professor H. H. Corbin. The University, he pointed out, already had a very valuable forest station within one hour's distance by traiu or motor from the centre of the city. This station had in it practically all the forest tree species of any economic importance, together with many other very interesting species. It also afforded splendid opportunities for the study of ecological problems, and is a magnificent arboretum. A coniferous arboretum was now in process of establishment on the scrub areas ou this station.

Further, within easy reach of Auckland there were the kauri forests at VVaipoua and in the Waitakeres. The City Council had about 20,000 acres of prime kauri forest, with trees more uniformly distributed over the area than those at Waipoua, with many the size equal to the smaller kauris seen at Waipoua, that is, up to three to five leet in diameter. This was a magnificent forest, and was now being used by our students for the purpose of working plan studies. Within easy reach of Auckland they had these prime forests, and students had actually carried out special studies in them.

Professor Corbin pointed out that in Auckland it was possible to inspect and study the ultilisation of wood and other forest products, in the manufacture of such commodities as wood wool, kauri gum, furniture making, etc. Members of the British Empire Forestry Delegation had considered it would be a mistake to take the school out of Auckland.