FORESTRY LEAGUE

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 78, 1 April 1936, Page 17

FORESTRY LEAGUE

PRESERVATION OF BUSH

The last monthly, -meeting of ■ the Council of the New Zealand .Forestry League, over which Mi*. A. Leigh Hunt presided,. discussed a report on the conference ;6f; llbcal.bodies with the league, in regard to:'the possible effect on the Hutti Valley through the destruction1; rof ' forests Kin the May-? morn/ Estate. The conference had considered that the price, asked was too high and that local bodies on the west coast would also ibe interested for the preservation of-the western portion of the forest. ■ The conference further considered that it was a question of national importance, and it was decided to consult the bodies ori the west coast and later approach the Government on the general question of preserving forest on water sheds with special reference to the Hutt Valley. The league decided to communicate with the other local bodies and to convene a conference on the ■subject. ' - It Tves.decided to-'recommend to the Government that the Waipoua lorest be reserved as a sanctuary, to remain under the control of the' State Forest Service.

The attention ,\vas drawn to a tourist' publication, "Trips Around Quecnslown," in which, one place was described as a "beautiful nook, with virgin bush to the water's edge. Fern lovers can collect specimens to their heart's content." This was considered to be directly opposed to the principle embodied in the Plants Protection Act, and it was decided to ask the Minister in charge to see that such inducements should not be offered, unless it was clearly stated that specimens could only be collected by express permission of the private' owner, and not at all • from scenic reserves. .The attention of the league was also drawn to the milling of forests at the head of Lake Wakatipu. Although it was stated that this forest was being milled under sound conditions, it was felt that the milling would largely destroy the beauty of the area from the tourist standpoint. " Inquiries having been made into the report that a mill was to be established in the Blue Duck Reserve at Kaikoura, the league was assured by the Department that there was no truth in the report and that this fine piece of mixed ; bush was safe from destruction. A further effort is to be made to secure the .preservation of an area of bush in thcKGisborne district.