HEALTHY FORESTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 September 1946, Page 9

HEALTHY FORESTS

NEW ZEALAND’S FORTUNATE POSITION DAMAGE BY OPOSSUMS (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 19. An inspection carried out by an entomologist of the State Forest Service has shown that New Zealand forests are in a particularly healthy condition, said the Minister, in charge, Mr. Skinner, to-day. One of the main reasons for the inspection was the possibility tnat new tree diseases might ha\ e been introduced during war n 0 new species was discovered and no known destructive insects ■or iungi were found to be causing significant damage. Expressing his satisfaction at the result of the inspection, Mr. Skinner said New Zealand was singularly free from tree diseases and methods of combating, known pests, were being studied continually. Although there was every reason for satisfaction at the present healthy state of the New Zealand forests, the possibility ol’ new diseases must be continually guarded against, in order that any insect or fungal attack capable of developing epidemic proportionsl could'be immediately dealt with'at an early stage.

The inspection was carried out by Mr. G. B. Rawlings, who recently i eturned to New Zealand after service with the Forestry Company in England, Algeria, and Italy. Prior to his return, he spent six months studying forestry methods in the United States and Canada. Mr., Rawlings, in his report, '.aid that New Zealand was fortunately free from insects which destroy the foliage of trees. Opossums and deer were responsible for most of the damage to growing trees here. Mr. Rawlings will shortly visit Southland to study diseases associated with silver beech..