Karamea forest

Press, 5 August 1981, Page 20

Karamea forest

Sir,—A conservator of the Nelson Forest Service, speaking of the burning of forest in the Oparara Valley, assures us that there are no kiwis there that he is aware of, and the only things killed are stoats and opossums. I am so glad that ail the dear little birds are safe, and that I need not worry about the stoats and opossums. We do all know, don’t we, that nasty beasties feel no pain.— Yours, etc..

BEVERLEY STEPHENS. August 2. 1981.

Sir,—On Saturday. August 1. "The Press” printed under the title: Karamea kiwis “not in danger” several paragraphs of inept and inaccurate apologia from an assistant conservator of forests, apparently made in an attempt to defend some further heinous behaviour by the Forest Service in the Karamea district. As a regular, and careful, reader of “The Press," I do not recall having seen any account of the destruction of native forest in that area recently, which Mr Wylie was evidently attempting to justify. From the statements made and subjects raised concerning the use of napalm, plus some utterly specious and misleading remarks about the behaviour of birds, one must conclude that the matter was one of the utmost seriousness, and I believe that “The Press” should provide its readers with an account of the Forest Service’s doings in the region which have provoked the outcry leading to Mr Wylie’s remarks.—Yours, etc.. P. A. G. HOWELL. August 2, 1981.