Forestry School Plan Is Ready For Cabinet

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30530, 27 August 1964, Page 14

Forestry School Plan Is Ready For Cabinet

The re-establishment of a school of forestry in the University of Canterbury 7 is expected to be considered by the Cabinet next Monday.

“On advice I have received so far, it would appear that Canterbury University would be the most satisfactory place and that is under consideration,” the Minister of Forests (Mr Gerard) said last week in Parliament in answer to a question.

Ths proposal for a forestry school in Canterbury is based on beliefs that, in association with existing departments of the university and allied institutions, it has possibilities for development unmatched elsewhere. Canterbury University and

provincial organisations have hoped that the forestry school would be re-established ever since the earlier one in Canterbury University College was closed because of the depression. In recent years university facilities have developed which strengthen the claim. The new School of Engineering would have some interest in forestry in all departments, notably civil and chemical engineering. The School of Fine Arts is expanding its work in design and the utilisation of local resources.

Such strong departments as botany and zoology have been doing increasing work in forestry and general ecology’. A course in climatology has started in geography. Lincoln College is strong in

soil science and much other work which has application in forestry. Headquarters of the Botany Division of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research are also at Lincoln.

Forestry interests also support Canterbury because of the variety of plantations and growing conditions in the South Island.