IN PLACE OF THE KAURI

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 49, 26 August 1926, Page 8

IN PLACE OF THE KAURI

PLANTING A NEW FOREST

PROGRESS OP WORK.

(By Telegraph.)

(Special to "The Evening Post")

AUCKLAND,,, This Day.

Before the dawn of history a big kauri forest stretched over hill «ad plain in the vicinity of the head waters of the Waitemata. To-day it ia largely barren', wind-swept country, naked and unadorned, excopt for its coverina of tea tree scrub, patches of light native bush in the gullies, and here and ther« a plantation of modern growth. To create a forest on land where almost every vestigo of timber has vanished is a problem quite out of the ordinary, ""I a huge amount of preparatory work if necessary.

It was as late as December last that the Biverhead forest scheme was finally; decided upon, and since then tna work has gone steadily forward. An area of 2200 acres was selected for commencement and a topographical survey was made of it. Next came the establishment of a nursery, and the young trees, mostly pines and eucalypts, have made such good growth that next year it is probable that about 1000 acres will be planted and fire breaks, an essential in an afforestation scheme, will be made.

Those who know the block well claim that it is the most suitable area within close reach of the city for the purpose for which it is intended to use it. It is proposed to plant 670 trees to the acre, and a 12,0D0-aere plantation will mean over 8,000,000 trees.