NATURAL FORESTRY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 110, 12 May 1930, Page 6

NATURAL FORESTRY.

REGENERATION IN THE WAITAKERES.

(To the Editor.)

I wish to draw attention to the whole of that bush area surrounding and including the Waitakere Ranges, and more especially that portion from the Manukau Heads to Titirangi. A most marvellous regeneration of our native flora is taking place and hundreds of thousands of kauri, tanekaha, rimu, kahikatea, totara, miro and rewarcwa in the order named are pushing their vigorous growth and re-establish-ing our depleted forests. A stage has now been reached which is of the utmost importance to Auckland when the whole of the public and private bush should be placed under forestry control and governed by forestry law. It is not a matter for the usual opportunist or local body to handle, but only by a committee of experts who thoroughly understand what is required. A special forestry officer would have to be appointed to take over the administration of this area, supported by a board selected by the State Forest Service. A sound financial scheme can be put forward and the execution of it would provide immediate work for a very large number of our unemployed. The growth of this forest would be accelerated by fifty per cent and its value increased enormously. The City Council some-years ago, against the advico of those who advocated the planting of the Cornwallis area, started the planting-of Pinus insignis. They can now rectify their mistake by attention to this most important question of natural forestry, and they should lose no time in calling a conference. TIMBER.