PRESERVATION OF NATIVE BUSH.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12851, 9 July 1907, Page 6

PRESERVATION OF NATIVE BUSH.

Thero aro probably no more beautiful pieces of native bush in the colony than tho remnants that are still to bo found bi South Canterbury. Thero ia a greater variety of trees and shrubs, and therefore more shades of colouring in the foliage, which mako it distinct from the sombre birch bush of North Canterbury and Nelson, and the heavy timber forests of Otago, tho West Coast, or tho North Island. On the country being first settled thero was moro bush along the foothills in South Canterbury tban was to he found north o: tho Rangitato, but all the valuable timber has long since been cut out. The Arowhonua Bush, at Temuka, ono of tho few remnants of the great forest that originally extended along the coast almost from Amberley to Timaru, haj entirely disappeared. Of tho Geraldine Bush thero only remains the splendid reservo that belongs to tho township. What remained of tho Waimate, Waihi, and Kakahu bushes after the sawmiller had taken out the timber and fire had followed him, the ■woodcutter has pretty well cleared away. Waimate residents must regret that a portion of their beautiful bush was not reserved, as was the case at Geraldine. Thero aro a few patches of tho Waihi Bush left in tho hinds of private individuals. Another large bush in South Canterbury was at Peel Forest, which, perhaps has been more fortunate in being less devastated by firo than in tho other cases mentioned. For many years it supplied timber for building purposes, but tho sawmillers' day is almost over. Thia beauty spot is a favourite resort for holiday seekers and picnic parties, and a petition has boen signed asking tho Government, through tho Commissioner for Crown Lands for Canterbury, to make a reserve of a large portion of that which now remains, litis petition, wo are informed, contains nearly 500 signatures, and has been signed by wellknown people in tho Peel Forest, Geraldine, Timaru, and Ashburton districts, and by several prominent business men in Christchurch. Most of theso signatures are of peoplo ""-'ho make use of Peel Forest as a summer holiday rosorf, and who therefore can fully appreciate its beauty. We are keenly desirous that every effort should be made to preserve for all timo tho remnants of our beautiful native bush, for if once destroyed it can never be replaced. We hope, therefore, that tho Government will favotlrably consider tho potition when it comes before them. The residents who have taken tho .matter up deserve commendation for their public spirit, and if their petition is gianted it will encourage others to tako similar action. Thero are several other smaller patches of native bush in South Canterbury that might be similarly reserved, notably, in tho To Mona district, in which a charming holiday resort has already been established. '