MAN-MADE BEAUTY

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 21020, 23 November 1933, Page 18

MAN-MADE BEAUTY

Since the State Forestry Service launched its afforestation scheme on resumed Crown lands at Hanmer in 1900, many acres of pines, larch, firs, poplars, oaks, and other species of trees have been planted there. -Some have made rapid progress, others have yielded to Nature's urge more reluctantly, and still others have failed and have been discarded. Some of the trees will not mature during the present generation, but others have already reached that stage and have passed on to provide timber, and their place has been taken by young trees. Production Stage Reached. Near Hanmer township the first sawmill in a forest planted by the New Zealand State Forest Service is cutting trees into timber, and in 1931 this mill cut all the boxing timber required for the new lodge then being built. Mr W. G. Morrison, Conservator of Forests for Canterbury, may claim a singular distinction —he is the only conservator in the Dominion who has been responsible for a complete cycle of planting, maintenance, and production. From the Look-out at Hanmer, a full 600 feet above the forest, the older trees make a colourful mosaic covering the undulating country, the dark green of the firs showing clear cut against the lighter shade of the larches. During the winter the trees form a picture of wild beauty and at the present time of the year the scene is one that claims instant attention and holds it by sheer majestic grandeur. The completed plantation covers a block of land almost square in shape, with another small area to the westward. The average annual rainfall is about 46 inches and this, with abundant sunshine and a suitable soil, has given very satisfactory results. Trees which will be allowed to attain full growth have been marked, and thinning and other operations are carried on from year to year. The larch thinnings are cut into fencing posts, mine props, stakes, and logs for cabins. The pinus radiata trees, which mature fairly rapidly, supply timber for the sawmill. History of the Plantation. Although at the present time 10,308 acres are covered with trees in the Hanmer plantation, this area had a comparatively small beginning, only 600 acres being set aside for tree planting by the Lands Department at the beginning 'of the present century. Fresh areas were taken in from time to time until planting was completed in 1929. The original reserve for afforestation was mainly flat or gently sloping country, with a small portion of steep sidlings adjoining the foothills. The soil was mainly of second-class quality, but was admirably suited for the growing of trees. The main growth was manuka scrub and tussock, and the former had to be felled and burned off before planting operations could be com* menced. The rabbit pest was one of the problems that had to be dealt with, but with trapping and poisoning the loss in planting was reduced to about 5 per cent. A small tree nursery was established in 1901, and about 28\ acres were planted in the following year. J In 1903 a prison camp was established to accommodate 25 men, and dui'ing that year 122-i acres were planted with trees. Planting was continued steadily until 1913, when free labour was resorted to, and even better results were obtained from then until planting operations were completed. Maintenance Work. From 1916 onwards a great deal I of work was done in maintaining the firebreak system, repairing fences, destroying rabbits, cleaning round trees, checking the growth of noxious weeds, etc. Roads follow the fire-lanes through the plantations, so that any point can be reached speedily should 4 an outbreak of fire occur. A great variety of trees have been planted, but a fair amount of the, planting has been purely experimental, only the species giving the best results being used for the main plantation. The trees used vary to some extent, according to the nature of the ground and the whole'area when viewed from the Look-out, 1 forms a very leasing picture,

State Forests at Hanmer A NATIONAL ASSET The natural beauty of the Hanmer district makes it an ideal holiday resort, and its mineral springs are a haven to the sick and suffering, but it also owes much to man because of the trees that have been planted there. Country that was once a waste of manuka scrub and waving tussock has been transformed into an ocean of varying shades of green, marked into orderly patterns with the firebreaks provided to control the greatest enemy of the forest. Steep hillsides, rolling foothills, and the flat land below have been covered with the green forest through the agenggr of man, and while Hanmer has been made more beautiful, a national asset that will x-emain an asset for generations has been built up with the aid of suitable soil, an ideal climate, and an abundant rainfall.

FOREST'S ENEMY Guarding Against Fire PRECAUTIONS AT HANMER While both beauty and value have been growing in the afforestation area at Hanmer during the last SO years, great care has been taken to preserve the trees from the forest': greatest enemy—fire. During the fire season, which lasts from November to the end of March, continual watch is kept from the Lookout, which was built in 1921 on a point 600 feet above the forest. From this vantage point rangers watch the forest both night and day and at the first sign of fire the various quarters are warned by telephone. Firebreaks criss-cross the plantation and the underscrub is kept cleared to reduce fire risk to a minimum. The telephone system extends right through the plantation and every precaution is taken at all times. Fire-fighting appliances are stored in depots distributed throughout the area, and are kept in a state of preparedness, being inspected by responsible officers from time to time. Outbreaks of fire have occurred in the history of the plantation, but only three have been serious. The worst was in 1927, when the Jollic's Pass Hotel was destroyed. The blaze spread to the plantation, about 60 acres of young trees being destroyed. Another fire originated in burning-off operations on a station alongside the plantation, and on that occasion about 30 acres of Austrian pine were destroyed, the blaze being checked with great difficulty by means of judicious counter firing. The Forest Service has the aid of the Hanmer Volunteer Fire Brigade at all times in dealing with outbreaks. Motorists and picnickers who are passing through or near the forest areas are required to observe the strictest care in the use of anything that might start a fire in the area. Enemies such as noxious weeds and rabbits have been countered in the past, and now that the trees have grown away from such dangers, their greatest need is efficient protection at all times from the arch enemy of the forest —fire.

HISTORY OF THE" CHURCH EARLY WORK OF PRESBYTERIANS The first regular church services to be held in Hanmer were conducted by the Rev. W. R. Campbell, of the Presbyterian Church, in 1874, and the first church, also of the Presbyterian denomination, was built in 1892. Mr Campbell was a well-known figure in the Amuri county for many years, making many missionary journeys through the back-country, and being known as "The Apostle of the North." The first Presbyterian Church was a small wooden building, and within a year of its erection a great gale completely destroyed it. However, the members of the church in the district banded together, and a new building was put up without delay. The Church of England built its first church in Hanmer in 1004, the minister being the Rev. E. C. W. Powell. The first couple to be married in the building were Mr and Mrs H. W. McGregor Farrow, who, according to the custom of the times, received a Bible as a gift from the minister. To-day the Rev. E. B. Moors is the Anglican vicar of Hanmer, while the Presbyterian Church has a mission station there under the i •are of Mr & & .Bailee*-