DAMAGE TO RESERVE

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31659, 20 April 1968, Page 1

DAMAGE TO RESERVE

Like other reserves on Banks Peninsula, the Kaituna Valley scenic reserve was severely damaged by the recent storm. Widespread destruction was caused by the gale, and additional damage by flooding. The Canterbury branch of the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society has appealed to the public for help in clearing storm debris. "The Kaituna Stream, swollen to the full width of the valley and several feet deep, poured through the bush,” said the secretary of the Canterbury branch of the society

(Mr W. J. Harris) yesterday. “Giant macrocarpa trees, planted as shelter many years ago when the property was owned by the Parkinson family, were uprooted, as were large matais further in. Previous floods of lesser volume had caused damage and fencing was modified to allow the passage of floodwaters. “At the time of the storm,” Mr Harris said, “work was in progress on the second stage of the Kaituna Stream clearance scheme. It was expected that the removal of willows and the deepening of the channel above and below the reserve would reduce flood damage. “Less than a week earlier, part of the boundary fencing was rebuilt, and this, together with much of the other fencing, was flattened by floodwaters and fallen trees.” Mr Harris said .that more money and voluntary labour

had been expended on this reserve than in many others because of the proximity to Christchurch. Easy accessibility had attracted large numbers of visitors. “Much work by voluntary effort will be required to clear existing tracks or make detours to provide access to favoured picnic spots along the stream,” he added. "The society has been offered several hundred young native trees for the reserve, and it was planned to prepare the ground for planting on April 27 but the proposed planting may have to be abandoned until much of the storm debris has been cleared. "The assistance of society members and interested members of the public on April 27 would be greatly appreciated, those with power saws being especially welcome,” Mr Harris said.