Legal road now in trees

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33527, 7 May 1974, Page 16

Legal road now in trees

The Forest Service’s apparent enthusiasm in planting a legal road in trees is causing the Amuri County Council concern.

The road, on the south side of the Balmoral State forest had been cultivated and planted in trees, in con-

junction with an extension of the forest to the south, the council was told. The road provides the only legal access for fishermen to about four miles and a half of the Hurunui River, including its confluence with the Pahau River. The Forest Service will be asked to restore the road to usable order, and a copy of the letter of request will be sent to the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society. The council will write also to the Minister of Forests (Mr Moyle) expressing concern that "good farm land” is being planted in trees. The Lands and Survey Department is planning a new subdivision for Hanmer Springs. The council was informed of this after inquiries by the Hanmer Springs Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association. The association had complained to the department that promised sections had not been developed, and that the association had been trying to have more sections made available since 1961.

The delay that had occurred would lead to a much better subdivision, the department told the council in a letter. Seven sections had been offered about 12 months ago, but there had been no applications, and another six sections were being developed and would be offered later this year. Cr L. E. Carter said there was a strong demand for sections in Hanmer.

The department was trying to get rid of odd sections before putting the good ones on the market, said Cr N. A. Vowles.