Extensive Tracks

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30710, 27 March 1965, Page 9

Extensive Tracks

A FTER the demonstration on Island Hills the party returned to the Glens of Tekoa and were conducted over part of the run by the owner, Mr W. D. Mcßae. In recent years with his bulldozer, Mr Mcßae has constructed some 30 miles of tracks and it is now possible to get to quite remote parts of the 20,000 acres by utility vehicle—Mr Mcßae even uses a motor scooter on most of the tracks. The visitors were impressed by the quality of the tussock country on the trip to the Glenrae river and commented on the stability of the country, the density of the cover and the absence of erosion.

Prior to the meeting at which Mr C. A. Nurse, of Lake Taylor, was re-elected chairman, and Mr P. S. Northcote, of Highfield, secretary, the magnificent collection of trees around the Tekoa homestead was inspected. Especially admired was the western yellow pine (Pinus ponderosa) planted in 1863 and believed to be the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. Of great interest too was the original homestead built in 1859 of cob and roofed with beech shingles which are now covered with iron. The building is well preserved and used as a station museum. The present homestead was built in 1865 of brick made within a few yards of the site.