NATIVE PLANTS

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 92, 16 October 1934, Page 7

NATIVE PLANTS

PROTECTING AX ASSET

MOTORISTS' AID ENLISTED

A recommendation, "That the attention of members bo drawn to tho Preservation of Native Plants Protection Act," was submitted to tho incoming executive of the Automobile Association, Wellington, by Airs. Knox Gilmer at its annual meeting last night, and carried after being warmly supported l>y several speakers. Mrs. Knox Gilmer suggested that Jiembors bo warned of the penalties under the Act to those caught taking any of the plants scheduled. This was of vital interest to motorists. Many motorcars came back laden with clematis and kowhai. "Motorists should wake up, and get a little relief from taxation subjects in looking nt the beauties of this country, and see if they ennnot do something to protect the beauty spots," said the speaker. Another speaker spoke of the beauties of Ngahauranga Gorge, which, though greatly despoiled, could remain attractive. He also criticised |'ie gash in the bush caused by the quarry on the Hutt Jioad. These suggestions had been made to the association, said the chairman of the executive (Mr. E. A. Batt) in former years, and had not fallen on barren ground. The suggestions had been taken up by past executives. Some years, ago tho question of tho gorge was taken up by a beautifying society. The executive went into it, and voted a sum of money for the purpose, but it turned out that the beautifying society had no money at all, and the association's executive was asked to contribute the whole of the cost. "As motorists we should have done it," proceeded Mr. Batt, "if wo had the means, but this association is not a beautifying society. Most motorists agree that there is not much pleasure in owning a. motor-car unless there are beauty spots to go to. "As far as the Hutt Eoad is concerned, the wholo of the hillsides arc private property, and if the owners want them for quarry purposes nobody can stop them. We had a scheme to have pohutukawas planted from Wellington to Potone, but the question arose as to where theso trees were to be put. We tried to buy a strip of land right along the road, but it was not possible. lam sorry to say that as far as public bodies are concerned they would rather fell a tree than grow one. Wo have had a lot of fine trees cut down in Wellington. It is difficult for motorists to take up these matters except in co-operation with those who specialise in them." The Wellington Horticultural Society points out that the necessity for the passing of the Native Plants Protection Act is well exemplified by the weekend experience of Mr. Arthur R. Perston, of Seatoun Heights, the recent winner of the native garden competition. Between twenty and thirty native plants were stolen by some person who evidently knew their value, including a totara, a lancewooa, and a tarata, each over three years old. Three shoots were broken off* a punga in an attempt to uproot it, and the plant was destroyed. This is not the first time that Mr. Perston's garden has been raided by vandals.