NATIONAL PARK.

Press, Volume L, Issue 15016, 10 July 1914, Page 4

NATIONAL PARK.

THE TONGABIEO RESERVE.

EXTENDING BOUNDARIES. iTECUt. 10 "tHE PRESS.") WELLINGTON, July 9. The question of defining, and to some extent extending tho boundaries of the Tongariro National Park, itas "brought before the Prime Minister to-day by a deputation from those interested in tho improvement of tho reserve The deputation, which was introduced by Mr G. M. Thomson, M.P., included I>. Cockayne, Professors Kirk and Hunter, and Messrs D. H. Guthrie, T. K. Sidey, J Robertson, H. G. En. D. Buick, C. K. Wilson, and R. W. fcmitb, M.P.S. Dr. Cockayne said that tho deputation did not ask for one acre of land that could bo used for farming, forest, or milling purposes; they simply desired to have the park so extended as to improve tho scenic leatures of the reserve. Tho reason for the request was twofold —firstly, from the point of view of what might be called a climatic reserve, and secondly, from a. tsoutimenuil aspect. Regarding tho hrcfc reason, ho pointed out that if ihe forests were cut down the farms would bo detrimentally affected through tho effect on the rainfall. As to the sentimental aspect of the question, ho emphasised tho value of consorving tho native vegotatiou, and pointed out that civilisation was rapidly turning .New Zealand into a Europe.* Everything possible should be done to conserve areas of absolutely primitive vegetation for future generations. These areas would in time bo absolutely unique, and would possess great educative power and afford pleasure to our descendants. VARIOUS SUGGESTIONS. 3lr D. Buick, M.P., stressed the necessity for preserving certain portions of New Zealand forests in their native purity. Native timber did not grow rapidly, and activity in afforestation was carried out to a great extent with foreign trees of quick growth. He was inclined to go a little further than Dr. Cockayne, and would reserve a piece of milling timber. He handed to tho Prime Minister a_ number of suggestions from the Palmerston Nortl Philosophical Society. Professor Kirk said that it was ox, troroeiy important to conserve forest or tho watershed, as every aero saved on the watershed made for a steadier flow of water. He did not approve of the planting of heather on the park. Heather was co plentiful in Europe, because, it had properties which enabled it to displace all other vegetation, but there it was fichtinc: nsrainst vegetation that was u.«ed to fighting it. Hero it would encounter in its spread vegetation not used to fighting it, and lie feared that many trees and plants now ccrowin.c ou the laud would disappear before it. Mr H. G EH. MP., supported what Professor Kirk had said about the nlantmc of heather. If poonle went to "•o nork tney went there to rco New Zealand and ho did not it adv]*.-,l)1 0 to crow heather or otVr -lmnorted. olaiits there. Dr. Cock-nyn* said +>at there were hot tmTintm at Kenetahi, whi-h «;ere +'io he*t for curative mtrtwes in .\ow Zealand, brides bnW tboi-mni wore-Mos ftimerior to atßotoma. Iho land on which +>c snri«f« vmra w»« m.f.j v _ and ,t. ,h0.,1r! h* „„„&>! hrr iho Govern . Mont for Edition to the nark. *RIME ML\JPTF.P»S FAVOURABLE • REPLY. Mr Maisey said tho Government had already practically decided to uo what tho. deputation now asked. Tho deputation acted for an extension of the boundaries of .the park, and as tbey did not ask for the inclusion within the boundaries of landr suitable for ■settlement purposes, he was quite prepared to do what, they asked. The Government had decided to make some changes m the control of the park. For many years'a Board bad been supposed to ho set up but. ho did.not know that the Board had done anything. Ho had wofc men who -were'members- of the Board," but who woro not aware of it Ho proposed to put mon on the Board who would tako ah interest in' the park He was not prepnred. to say yet who those men would be. but they would b-> representative men from the pro\Tu f ' S ™ Ct %, of Wellington and n£ * ' Tl, ° 9?™«Hnent would do i all that was powible. to meet the wishes of tho depufnhon. « I