AFFORESTATION SCHEME

Evening Star, Issue 22817, 27 November 1937, Page 29

AFFORESTATION SCHEME

PROPOSALS OF AMENITIES SOCIETY PRESERVATION OF NATIVE TREES An afforestation scheme for Dunedin was discussed at a meeting of the Dunedin Amenities Society yesterday, the following motion being adopted unanimously : “ This society approves of the suggestion that the City Council should petition Parliament for an enabling Bill to ■ permit the council to acquire land near Dunedin (if and when available) for afforestation purposes, provided that none of the hills facing Dunedin are planted other than with natives, and provided that the main approaches to the city are kept clear of exotic plantations. In no case is the view of the city, harbour, and sea to be spoilt by afforestation. This society recommends that the land in the vicinity of the main approaches to the city (if and when acquired) he planted in natives, such as kowhais, red pines, red beech, ratas, and kauris, and that all existing native bush be carefully preserved. In making the foregoing recommendations this society desires to emphasise the fact that it is mainly concerned with preserving and developing the scenic and other attractions of the city; and it strongly urges that, in the event of the Enabling Act being granted, the City Council will take all necessary steps’ to see that this important aspect of the position is adequately safeguarded.” It was agreed that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Mr Waters and other bodies which had been approached.

The chairman (Mr Crosby Morris) reported that, following upon the representations made by Mr J. B. Waters, who approached the society for its support in connection with the effort being made to persuade the Dunedin City Corporation to embark upon a comprehensive afforestation programme for the city, the members of the committee of the society had, in company with Mr D. Tannock, visited the City Corporation Afforestation areas in the vicinity of the Ross Creek Reservoir. The committee had also visited Fraser’s Gully and other areas and inspected the reserves of native hush. The committee had been greatly impressed with what was being done, and this special meeting had been called to. decide upon the nature of the recommendations to be made.

Mrs H. L. Cook, Messrs G. Simpson and J. Thompson stressed the necessity for the preserving of native bush areas within the immediate vicinity of the city. They were opposed to the planting of exotics which would in any way interfere with this. Mr Tannock said that Signal Hill could not be planted with exotics, and it had already been agreed that no afforestation planting he done higher than 1,500 ft. No areas of native bush would be interfered with. NATIVE BUSH DAMAGED. Mrs H. L. Cook reported that it appeared to her that a good deal of native bush was being damaged by the workmen who were busy reconstructing the Woodhaugh-Waitati road. She asked if anything could bo done to safeguard the native bush on this area. It was agreed that a sub-committee consisting of Mrs H. L. Cook and Mr C. O. M'Kellar should inspect the road, and confer with tho local Public Works Department. CAVERSHAM STATION. The Chairman reported that a deputation consisting of Messrs G. Simpson, S. P. Cameron, and himself had waited upon tho member for the district (Mr F. Jones) and had placed before him the desirability of having something done by way of improving the approach to the Caversham Railway Station. The deputation had been sympathetically received, Mr Jones pointing out that it was a matter for the Minister of Railways (Mr D. G. Sullivan) and possibly for the Dunedin City Corporation. He promised to discuss the matter with the Minister of Railways and see what could he done.