Replanting with pine 'proving successful’

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32977, 25 July 1972, Page 12

Replanting with pine 'proving successful’

(From Our Own Reporter)

NELSON, July 24. The replanting of beech forests with pine would “undoubtedly prove very successful,” if what had been seen today was any indication, said Mr R. F. Wardlaw, deputy chairman of the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council, this evening.

Mr Wardlaw, and the chairman of the council (Mr A. L. Poole) were speaking after their return from an inspection of a privatelyowned forest in the Nelson district where some beech forest had been clear-felled and replanted with radiata. Mr Wardlaw said that the council had been particularly impressed by the way in which beech had been left growing in the gullies to combat erosion. A little over 18 months ago the Nelson Catchment Board, faced with increasing afforestation in its area, implemented Section 34 of the Soil Conservation Act to give the board some control over afforestation and felling. This applied both to exotic species and beech. It was the first area in New Zealand where this control was imposed, and the council is showing great interest in the progress being made. “We have been quite impressed with the way the whole thing is being ironed out between the Catchment Board and the forest owners.” said Mr Poole. He said that this legislation could not be applied to the biggest forest organisation in New Zealand — the Forest Service—but he said he had few worries there. “The Forest Service is establishing proper logging measures. I am most happy

with the way the service is extracting the timber,” said Mr Poole. Tonight the council met the Nelson Catchment Board, in camera. Tomorrow council members will view repairs to Nelson city’s 1970 flood damage; in the afternoon the council will visit an orchard, the Lower Motueka River works, and the site of afforestation proposals in the Riwaka Valley area.