Mining in State forest

Press, 12 August 1985, Page 12

Mining in State forest

Sir,—There seems to be no logical reason for turning down Bill and Afton Blackadder’s mining licence. The claim is in the middle of a belt of beech forest infected with pinhole borer. The Forest Service on the other side of the valley has clear-felled timber of this same condition, stating that when trees are removed the regrowth is free from infection. Would the removal of a few dead infected trees on the claim do any harm then, or would it be saving the Forest Service a job? The Blackadder men have always been tree lovers and respect the native bush. They have searched for gold since they were small boys and after years of being laughed at about their stories have finally found a claim that will make their dreams come true, not just a claim that still leaves them working seven days a week and over-burdened by expenses. — Yours, etc., (Mrs) KATH BARTLETT. Springs Junction, August 7, 1985.

Sir,—l wish to support all those who are protesting against the injustice the Blackadder brothers and their workmen have suffered. I have always understood that people matter most. Therefore, I condemn any group which takes away anyone’s right to work. Eventually those affected have to leave their homes and seek employment elsewhere. Whether the two brothers are rich or otherwise is their business and irrelevant to the main issue. Having spent a good deal of my life in and around beech forests, I know that beech regeneration is prolific where the forest floor has been disturbed by man. This is most noticeable in old mine workings and is beneficial to the forest generally. I recommend that an injunction be brought against these protesters to curtail their activities, in case more people lose work and have to leave these valleys. I am not an armchair back-woodsman, but a real one. — Yours, etc., L. W. ALLOTT. Reefton, August 4, 1985.