Nesting place of white heron

Press, 11 August 1980, Page 16

Nesting place of white heron

Sir, — Your corresponds ents, Annette Kerr (July 18), Ron Ferguson (July 21), and B. W. Pattison (July 21), seem to be missing the main point of A. Gilbert’s letter (July 16) in which it was asserted that the Rural Bank is financing bush clearance in. an area including the Waitangiroto Stream. Their letters might well be intended to distract your readers from the. implications of A. Gilbert’s assertion. Through your column I would like to ask if the Rural Bank can confirm that major land “developments” are planned in the above area. If A. Gilbert is correct then we should all be more concerned about the future of the white heron than with demonstrating our geographical knowledge. — Yours, etc K. M. MATTHEWS. July 22, 1980. [Mr C. G. W. Taylor, Nelson manager, .Rural Banking, and Finance Corporation, replies: “The clearing of land and the protection of wildlife in New Zealand are controlled by a number of Acts of Parliament including The Reserves 'Act, 1977, the Wildlife Aot, 1953, the Town and Country Planning Act, 1977, and the Water and Soil Conservation Act, 1967, Various authorities have the power vested in them to control, according to. the legislation,. the actions of farmers and others in the matter of land clearing. On the other hand, the Rural Bank is a financial institution with no such powers. Any information which the Rural. Bank may have about . specific land development proposals is confidential but your readers can be assured that every effort is made by the Rural Bank to encourage farmers to adopt sound epn-

servation practices and to be mindful of the possible injurious effects on wildlife. As regards the area of South Westland in the vicinity of the white heron colony, the Rural Bank is unable to comment on the actions, -intentions or attitudes . of the local farming community, or any measures which may be considered necessary or desirable for its further preservation., However, it is understood that matters relating to the colony are generally handled by the local Nature Reserve Advisory Committee and the Rural Bank, along with other management agencies, is aware of the concern expressed and the need for extra care.”],.