AFFORESTATION

Evening Star, Issue 19326, 12 August 1926, Page 13

AFFORESTATION

UTILISING WASTE LAMBS PLEA BY COUNCILLOR HANCOCK Probably no local body in tbe dominion has done more than the Dunedin City Council in pursuing a farseeing afforestation' policy, and this fact was stressed during the discussion on a report submitted by the superintendent of reserves (Mr D. Tannock) at the City Council mooting last evening. The report was tho outcome of a letter which appeared in tho ‘ Evening Star ’ some time ago. Cr Hancock (chairman of tho Reserves Committee) said that the corporation had been engaged for twenty years in afforestation work, and during that time three million trees had been planted, and ho considered tho reserves department could double its efforts within a ton-mile radius of the city. Ho thought they should do everything to keep their waste lands clear of gorso and weed. He considered that all waste land should be planted. Cr Clark: Without compensation?

Cr Hancock; Yes; it would be a good thing to do so. Cr Sincock: And got the results? Cr Hancock; Yes. He added that they had a staff which had to be kept in work. Ho pointed out that they could not work at Waipori during tho winter months, as tho reserves there were covered with snow. If they planted as big an area as they had done in the past, they would keep their staff going for many _ years. He referred to a pinus insignis plantation near Lindsay Creek, which he understood was forty-eight years old. He was surprised to see the fine timber which was ready for tho saw-mill. He hoped, however, that this would not bo permitted for some time to come. It was a fine example of what could' be done by afforestation. Or Sincock said it was their duty to look to tho future. There was no doubt but that the climate in Dunedin was suitable for many trees. A barren country was no good to anyone. A good supply of timber was very necessary, particularly La Now Zealand.

Cr Hayward said the question had often been asked why they did not plant native trees instead of exotic ones. Tho reason was that no native timber would mature in 100 years, while many exotic trees would mature in thirty-five years, Cr Wilson said that they had planted a lot oFTlairying laud, but this should not bo done. They should bo careful about this in the future. He quite agreed that all suitable areas should be utilised.

O Taverner said that in some parts of Europe a man who cut down ono tree had to plant two in its place. It was a pity this rule did not prevail in Now Zealand. They had many beautiful Oregon pines on their land. Ho noticed in the Chamber of Commerce report that it was stated they had 9,ooo'acres in the- Whare Plat district that should bo planted, but ho pointed out that much of this was already in native trees. The report was as follows :— N There is no doubt that there is a largo amount of unproductive land round Dunedin which could be turned to profit by planting trees. This is a matter which I have discussed with _ the chairman of the Reserves Committee, Or Hancock, on many occasions. 1 am sure the City Council would welcome the assistance and co-operation of the Chamber of Commerce in obtaining possession of Government land on Flagstaff, Mount Cargill, and _ Signal Hill, which could bo planted with advantage, because by growing trees these areas would be greatly improved in appearance, and would bo more valuable then than they are now. Wo would also like two blocks on Flagstaff, between our plantations arid Long Ridge road. These are covered with scrub, and are a menace to the plantations lower down. There is also the land between Logan’s Point and the scenic reserve on Signal Hill, and tho area above the water race between the North Taieri road and the Southern Reservoir, which, with the scrubcovered country at Whare Flat, would bo sufficient for a few years. Later on extensions could be made on the Chain Hills to tho south and to Waitati on tho north. “ I recommend this scheme for the following reasons:—(l) There is no doubt that there is much unproductive land round Dunedin. (2) This land will grow satisfactory crops of trees, a fact amply demonstrated by our own plantations. (3) This land when planted would not only be more useful than it is at present, but it would be more beautiful. (4) Being near the city, tho clearing and pitting would provide suitable and productive work during slack times, (5) Tho cost is not great, being about £5 per acre for Pinus radiate, and from £8 to £lO for Douglas fir (.Oregon), macrocarpa, and other kinds (this does not include clearing). (6) There would bo no difficulty in the reserves department increasing the planting to 2,000 acres or more a year. (7) The aftermaintenance and .fire protection is not great, and thinning and clearing would be suitable work for unskilled labor. (8) If the returns promised by afforestation companies are any guide, the profits would be quite substantial, and there is the further advantage that bv turning what is at present a waste to profit, and employing many men, the city will greatly benefit. (9) Timber is a bulky commodity, and an acre of trees on the hills round Dunedin is much more valuable than a similar area at cither Tapanui or Nasoby. “Fortunately, as we have been planting trees tor about twenty years round Dunedin, we know the kinds suitable for tho different soils and aspects, tbe most economical method of raising and planting seedlings, and the most suitable after-treatment. Wo know that timber is put to a great many uses at present, and that these are being extended every year. It therefore seems to me that the most prosperous districts in tho fnturo will be those with most woods and waters.”