STILL THERE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 189, 12 August 1939, Page 11

STILL THERE.

MOUNTAIN TIMBER.

KAURI AND CLINKER BEECH.

OPERATIONS NEAR KATIKATI.

Twenty-five years ago timber cutting was started on the mountain range im-j mediately to the west of Katikati, Tanranga County, but massive logs of kauri and clinker beech are still there. Tt was considered impossible to get the timber out. Another effort has been started, and it is hoped by haulage and floatage down the streams to the northern end of Tauranga Harbour, to get the timber to a point where it can be milled.

By air-line the distance from Te Aroha to Katikati is comparatively short. Te Aroha mountain is a notable landmark, and dominates the landscape. Further to the east on the range is Crown land, a heavy forested plateau, the site of the original timber cutting, the scene of the present operations. The plans are to shift the logs into the bed of one of the mountain creeks. Three dams have been built, and the tripping process is being used to shift logs, even a short distance at a time, with a sudden rush of water.

There are some splendid specimens of kauris on this high range, trees that are straight in bole, seven to eight feet in diameter, and more at the base. The clinker beech is plentiful, and of a species that is found both at Titirangi and on the Hunua Ranges. At lower levels to the east the predominent trees of the forest are tawa, pukatea and rata.

From Katikati to the crest of the ranges it is a winding way oyer very steep country for 10 or 12 miles. The ravines are deep, and in the high country the creeks are marked by many cataracts and waterfalls, these being the main obstacles to timber exploitation.

Aucklanders who visited the locality lately said that the kauri cut a quarter of a century ago was ag sound as ever.