The Botanic Man heads higher

Press, 22 September 1984, Page 1

The Botanic Man heads higher

Dr David Bellamy, the renowned British conservationist, botanist, and television personality, was .at his expansive best yesterday afternoon in the middle of the Botanic Gardens.

In a small glade, seated on a park bench, surrounded by flowering bushes and tall trees, Dr Bellamy had nothing but praise for his environs.

“The magnolias are looking out of this world,” he said, arms waving enthusiastically.

"The little bits of native bush that you have left are too,” he added, somewhat pointedly. “It’s a beautiful place. You are probably the luckiest people on this Earth.” “I actually think the Queen should make it a Royal Botanic Gardens — in fact, the next time I see her, I’ll tell her so. Well, perhaps I’ll ask her, you know, graciotisly.” Dr Bellamy, however, did not have such kind words for the New Zealand Forest Service.

He has been brought to New Zealand to promote the book, “To Save A Forest: Whirinaki,” and to add his voice to the call for the Whirinaki forest’s protection from selective logging by the Forest Service.

He is a strong-looking man, tall and deep-voiced, and animated when even a little angry. When confronted with the last statement of the Direc-tor-General of Forests, Mr Andrew Kirkland, asking him to direct his “energies and prestige” elsewhere, because 1 “New Zealand has done more in the last decade to set aside forests of potential world heritage value than any other country," Dr Bellamy became upset. “I get • very cross,” he said.

“Since I have arrived in New Zealand I have tried to be very careful to praise your Forest Service for its fantastic service in growing exotic timber, and its conservation programme. One need only look at Stewart

Island.” Only two two days before, Dr Bellamy said, he had sat next to Mr Kirkland at the Beehive, and Mr Kirkland had conceded that the end-to-logging case put forward in the Whirinaki book.was correct, based on the evidence. i “So I don’t really know why he is saying these things now.” Dr Bellamy argues that if the Forest Service put more emphasis on the recreational and tourist potential of the Whirinaki forest, the money made on selective logging would be a mere pittance in comparison. His piece said, Dr Bellamy then agreed to climb a tree for a photograph — the sort of stunt he obviously loves.

He was last seen heading determinedly Rewards Deans Bush, ready to do battle with hard hat, chainsaw, and “The Mainland Touch,” vigorously rubbing off the yellow, tree-gained “protoccocus” algae from his trousers seat.