AF ORESTATION.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17221, 11 August 1921, Page 11

AF ORESTATION.

CANTERBURY WASTE LANDS.

A conference of representatives of local bodies in North Canterbury, call-, ed by the Canterbury Progress League, was held yesterday morning, to coneider the matter of afforestation of tho waste lands of the province. Mr A. G. Henderson, president of tho Canterbury Progress League, was in the chair, and Mr.P. R. Climie, organiser of the League, was also present. The delegates in attendance were: Messrs F. Horrell (Kangiora County Council), C. I. Jennings (Rangiora Borough Council), J. C. Gebbie (Wairewa County Council), W. K. McAlpine (Tawera County Council), H.. A. Knight 'Malvern Countv Council), G. Shipley (Paparoa), J. fl. L. Hiatt (Cheviot), C. E. Bnynan (Eyre), Jas. Deans (nresident Canterbury branch Forestry* League), and G. H. Bullard (Commissioner of Crown Lands). The chairman stated that the Farmers' Union had sent forward a resolution advocating the afforestation of the waste lands of Canterbury, and the proposal was that the Selwyn Plantations Board. should take the work, in hand. The Progress League were approached in the matter, and it was suggested that enquiries be made as to the areas in Canterbury suitable for tree-planting, the areas already planted, and generally all information bearing on the subject which could be embodied in a report on which nossib'y the Government might take action. It was proposed that a small committee should be set up to collect information, and prepare a report, on which subsequent action might be taken. It was hoped that Caotain Ellis, Director of Forestry, would be present, but for family reasons, Captain* Ellis was unrble to attend. Captain Ellis,' in a letter forwarded t'o the League, said that the Forestry Department # would be pleased to help local bodies in any way possible. Mr G. H. Bullard, Commissioner of Crown Lands, said the only waste lands in Canterbury were the river-beds,'but once it was propreed to touch the riverbeds, various aueßtions would arise sucfli as riparian rights and access to the water. It was a question, also, whether the* settler could not "claim river-bank land formed by accretion, but he could say nothing definite until ho had consulted his head office. If there 1 were rjver lands in Canterbury suitable foip tree planting he did not expect that any Departmental objection would be raised to their use for such a purpose, but the lands would have to be fenced and the rights of the settlers would have to be considered. There was also to be considered the question of a_ river l changing its course and destroying the young plantations. In" any event, it would not be possible to do much planting this season. Mr Jas. Deans was aware that there w.as a popular sentiment in favour of river-bed plantations; but while a plantation was reaching maturity in the course of 14 or 15 years one never knew what changes in course the river would take. A more important, matter than river-bed planting was for the local bodies to plant their reserves. Mr F. Horrell said there were reserves all along the river Ashley which might well be planted. The river was protected, and the planting of trees would improve that protection. He did not favour the "setting up of a new Board, for he considered that if each local body set aside £IOO a year for tree planting, that would largely meet the position, Mr Gebbie pointed out that the riverbeds were overrun with gorse and broom, which would have to be cleared at' big expense before tree-planting could; be started. He would his Council to plant their reserve's when the present" leases expired,, but- the Council wanted information da to what trees to plant. Mr H. A. Knight suggested that legislation should'be procured to widen the powers of the Selwyn Plantations Board.

The chairman urged that the Selwyn' Plantations Board, the Forestry League, other local bodies in, North Canterbury, the Farmers' Union and the A. and P. Association, should appoint representatives to form • the committee to tike the matter in"hand.

Mr H. A. ,Knight added that the should be composed of representatives from the Selwyn Plantations Board, the Forestry League, and the Ashburton County Council, v '• Mr P. R. Climie said that the local bodies could receive' all information ins to what trees :'. to plant from Mr Buchanan, Conservator of State Forests, in the South Island. The Progress League would be triad to arrange for Mr Buchannn to visit the various localities, and the operations of tree-plant-ing, by the local bodies could then be organised. • Mr F°. Horrell held that seemed to he the work of the Forestry League.

Mr Deans stated the Forestry League would give all. the information arid help it could. At present, however, the League was in its infancy. The chairman said the Progress League would like to see the matter taken up, by the Forestry League, for such fell within the; scope of the operations,of the latter league. It was recognised, however, that, the-Forestry League was now in its infancy,.and the Progress League was only too glad to assist/';

It was decided to set up a committee, consisting of representatives of the Progress League, the Forestry League, and.the Selwyn. Plantations Board, to make full enquiries ag to. the suitability of lands in each county for tree-plant-ing, and to take the initiative in.the matter.