TREES DESTROYED

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 43, 14 November 1939, Page 9

TREES DESTROYED

Petone Council’s Loss

KORO KORO FIRE

Reference to the destruction by fire on Monday of a large plantation of trees in tbe Koro Koro area was made at last night’s meeting- of tbe Petone Borough Council. The mayor, Mr. London, said that about 2000 pinus insignis trees belonging to the council had been destroyed, some being between Bft. and 10ft. in height.

The Wellington City Council protected its reserves by keeping people out. The Petone council tried to encourage people to visit the Koro Koro reserve and enjoy the beauties of the bush, but on Monday there had been four fires in the reserve. It had almost looked like a wholesale attempt to destroy the reserve. The council would have to give serious consideration to the question of imposing restrictions. The main damage had been on the Mungaraki Road, on the way to the reservoir. It was a most disheartening occurrence. Cr. A. M. Macfarlane said he was sure that the fires had been caused by the careless dropping of cigarette butts and not by deliberate intent. He mentioned that on the previous Wednesday fire had swept another spur in the same area. At the mayor’s suggestion, the reserves committee was asked to make a survey to find the best means of protecting the remaining trees.