GROUSE AND HEATHER

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 78, 29 September 1924, Page 6

GROUSE AND HEATHER

FUTURE OF THE NATIONAL PARK TWO POINTS OF VIEW. (BY TELEGRAPH.— SPSCIAt, TO THE POST.) AUCKLAND, -This Day. The line of the future development to be followed at Tougariro National Park promises to be the subject of lively discussion. Two points of view, are coming forward.in contrast One argument put forward is that the park should be developed as a truly national one. and that native plants and bird life may flourish under the most natural circumstances ihe other idea is that the area should be, or a considerable section of it, transformed into a representation of English heather-covered moors and into a shoot-' mg paradise. To this end heather has already been planted in considerable quantities on the plains of the park, while the introduction of English sporting birds has become an accomplished fact with the liberation of six grouse. This latter policy is stated to have aroused the opposition of many people who have visited tlie part "Of course it was kuown that grouse were coming," said an Auckland enthusiast of the park, "but we cannot prevent their liberation in the park however much we regret it. The introduction of grouse seems to bo part of a defined policy. First of all heather was planted in the park much against the wishes of all who wanted to see Tou R anro a real New Zealand preserve. Weather is a first necessity for the welfare of grouse, and now that heather has become- plentiful along come the grouse. With a hostel to be built on the plains as present proposed, all attractions of the park seem to be centring away from the wonderful points of iu° terest such as the three mountains, hot springs, thermal activity, and numerous waterfall and bush localities. The place cannot bear the name of National Park and be a grouse-shooting and heathergrowing paradise at the -same time. The park has a super-abundance of natural beauties and does not want any importations to spoil it. No one can have any possible objection to grouse being brought to fv ew Zealand if anybody wants to import them, but to place them within the jSatidual Park with the hope that they may nourish for sport's sake shows very poor appreciation" of its natural endowments. The birds could be very well liberated on priv^e estates, and no one would have a word to say." Another point has been brought out by the discussion of the subject. The National Park is at present a game sanctuary, and no gun is allowed to be taken over, the boundaries of the park. Apparently, however, it is the anticipation of some that this prohibition will be withdrawn and that the park may be turned into a resort of sportsmen.

A correspondent, "Sanctuary," in a letter to "The Post," offers some further observations respecting the introduction o£ grouse on Tongariro National Park. "Iho park, presumably," he writes, "is a sanctu-#y, and therefore any person trespassing with dog or gun is liable to a penalty. Yet, someone is permitted to introduce game birds to indues people to break the law. If, -i S plainly ridiculous that game birds, which are brought out for six>rt, should be placed in a National Park where all gun sporty should be prohibited." • 'Sanctuary" asks whether the opinion of competent officers was obtained and followed regarding thia latest introduction. Or was the introduction made on the advice of wealthy landowners, whose main fliterest is sport? "Sanctuary" expresses the opinion that the whole business of introducing plants, birds, and animals should be reviewed. Nature should be allowed to restore the balance [Which is now sadly upset; but, •srhilo man is constantly making fresh efforts in acclimatisation such a restoration is impossible. At. least acclimatisation | should not proceed without seeking, and I accepting, the advice of scientific m«u 'capable sJ foretelling til« result*.