FOREST CONSERVATION. PRESERVATION OF SCENIC BEAUTIES.

Evening Post, Volume LV, Issue 124, 27 May 1898, Page 6

FOREST CON SERV ATI ON. PRESERVATION OF SCENIC BEAUTIES.

For some time past the Commissioner of Crown Lands in Wellington (Mr. J. W. A. Marchant) has had under consideration a scheme of forest conservation. At the meeting of the Board to-day he sketched the work already done, Up to the present time 108,448 acres in the district controlled by the Board had been gazetted as forest reserves, and 106,551 acres remained to be gazetted. There were 594,000 acres, irrespective of the areas just referred to, which the Board still controlled, and it was proposed to make further reserves out of that. It was intended to have forest reserves extending from Palliser Bay along the summits of the Rimutaka and Tararua Ranges and up to the Manawalu Gorge, excluding of course the "Wniuui Reserve, at the hack of Paikakariki, and which had been handed over to tho Acclimatisation Society. A fringe a mile wide had been reserved along the banks of the Wauganui River wherever the Government owned any land. There was no finer river for scenery in the whole world than the Wanganui, and. by making a reservation along its banks much would be done in the direction of preserving its sceuio beauties. It was absolutely necessary that steps should be taken to preserve some of our valuable forests, and it was intended to make extensive forest reservations. He had been informed by a sawmiller that in 15 years the whole of tbe timber on the ilats would he cut down. Already ironbark was being imported because long lengths of totara could not be obtained. The reservation of extensive areas would save much beautiful bush from destruction, preserve our climate, our native birds, and our flora and fauna, and he trusted that in what he proposed the Board would cordially assist him. The members of the Board warmly commended the Commissioner's scheme. On the motion of Mr. Hogg, seconded by Mr. Stevens, it was decided " That this Board cordially approves of the proposal of the Commissioner to reserve areas of tho Crown lands in suitable localities for forest timber conservation, the preservation of our scenery, flora, and fauna, protection of our climate, &c, and recommends the Government to consider the desirableness of carefully and permanently preserving the forests of the colony from invasion or eventual destruction, provided that in all cases such reserves will not interfere with settlements in desirable localities."

The Melrose-Oriental and WellingtonPoneke football matches will be played at the Athletic Park to-morrow, and the Ath-letic-Petone match at Petone. Men'a underclothing in an extensive variety of thoroughly roliable makes is obtainable at the D.1.C., and at pricos that will be appreciated by those who require firstclass goods at reasonable prices. Vyella pyjama suits, merino and fine natural wool under garments in complete sots to match, also dross and other shirts, aro tbe leading features of the Comuanv's outfitting departments. — Advt.