NELSON NEWS

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 73, 27 March 1930, Page 17

NELSON NEWS

THE MARUIA SPRINGS

APPLE SHIPMENTS

(From Our Own Correspondent). KELSON, 26th March. •'- Visitors to the Maruia Springs report' much benefit L'rom the mineral waters of the springs. For some unknown reason the water in the men'l bathing pool during the last few weeks has become much colder. However, recent visitors dug a new pool with gob 3 results, the temperature being found to vary between lOi and 130 degrees. Over twenty visitors stayed at -the springs last week. The road from Murcliison to Lester's, -10 miles, is nojv in fair condition, ami the other 3-1 miles to tho springs are in good order. Apples for export have come forward in sufficient quantities to till the.quota of 55,000 cases for the Otaki, which will sail on Thursday evening. Th» shipment is for Glasgow and Manchester. The port of Mapua alone is now handling 6000 cases of export fruit per day. "•■. '■■' . .; The Passmore Shield, competed for by cadet companies other than.secondary schools, representing each of tha four regimental districts of the' Southern Command, was this year retained by the Oarnaru Cadets. The runners-" up were Nelson. The contest betweea these two companies was very close, and in the subjects which were examined by the board the difference wuii only .3 of a mark out of a possible of 500. The results of last years musketry course counted in the competition, and this gave Oaniaru a lead of 8.1 marks over Nelson. ' The final figures were: Oamaru 502.9, Nelson 494.8, Invercargill 411.1, Christehurch 396.8,

With the object of interesting settleri in forestry, and showing them what has already been done at Golden Downs, the local branch of the Forestry Department arranged a field, day yesterday. About thirty settlers were present. Among those present were J^r, F. W. Foster, 8.A., B.Sc. Forestry (Cott' servator), and Mr. Pollock, B.Sc. Forestry, at the local office, while Mr. J. P. M'Enaney, forest ranger in charge of the plantation, gave a demonstration, covering the different phases of planting," etc. . .. . ■

At the present time about thirty men are employed, and preparations are now being made for. the; planting'season, which commences about June. Ther« are already several nurseries well e»> tablished, and the seedlings are showing a good healthy growth. When planting is in full swing. three different camps are occupied, but at the present time the main one—-at th« homestead—is sufficient to .meet requirements. . ■ '• ■ ■■■'■'- :- 7 A few years ago. the Government acquired a portion of.the Golden Down* estate, for afforestation purposes, and the original holding has been augmented. The area now "occupied by ta« State is about 10,000 acres, of which approximately 20 per cent, is in birch forest. Planting was commenced in the 1927 season, when 500 acres were planted with 350,000 trees, all pinu? insignis, many of which have now a growth of 9 feet. During 1928-29, "a further 2465 acres of new plantations were established with 1,676.200 trees. The area available for planting was augmented during that year by the acquisition of 1253 acres of adjoining land; and it is understood that the Government has just acquired Mr.. J. Pagan's property in the vicinity for further planting. During 1929-30 3000 acres were planted with 2.100,000 trees, and it'is expected that during'the conving season a similar area will be planted. The nurseries neld about 4,000,000 seedlings. The trees planted comprise 25 per cent, of redwood, 10 per cent, pinus laricio, SO • per cent, pinus insignis, and 15 per ednt. of; cupressus, lawsoiiiana, douglas fir, arid thuya plicata. '■' ' ■ ■ ■.