EGMONT NATIONAL PARK.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 4 September 1924, Page 4

EGMONT NATIONAL PARK.

DESTRUCTION OF FOREST. The following letter has been sent by the New Zealand Forestry ' League to the borough councils, county councils, and town boards represented on the Egmont National Park Board: On behalf of the New Zealand, Forestry Leagug (Incorporated). J desire . to bring before you a serious position of affairs in. respect, to the conduct of the Egmont National Park. . Some months ago information reached .the league in respect to the tremendous amount of destruction of the forest in the park through cattle and goats. The league then asked Mr. E. Maxwell, of Opunake, to furnish .it with a full report of the position, and the following are extracts from that report: “For years the goats have been increasing on the ranges to such an extent that the great proportion of theni are practically eaten out so far as ferns. • seedlings and small shrubs are concerned, and if the goats are not destroyed in the early future an absolute limit to the life of the reserve will be put, viz., that of the life of the present ''generation of trees. Parts .where a wealth of ferns, plants, creepers, etc., existed a few years ago are now absolutely bare of any undergrowth of any sort. As to cattle, though there may be a very few wild cattle/in the park, there appear to be many cases of settlers adjoining the reserve allowing their stock to run. in the park, particularly in winter and spring.” On receipt of this report the League wrote to the Egmont National Park Board pointing out the position, and . received a reply to .the effect that the whole question of the constitution of the board, its future and finance, had V been the subject of negotiation with the Prime Minister, and it was hoped' the outcome w r ould be such as to enable it to carry out the primary function for which it was established, namely, to conserve - ths district bush areas ■ and make suitable arrangements for tourist traffic within the reserve.

The board acknowledges been aware of the adverse conditions in respect to damage by stock and goats, but lias hot been able, for financial reasons, to deal, with the position. The league on making further inquiries finds that last year the Tourist Department contributed to the board: the sum of £250 for track improvements; for tourist traffic. In addition to this the ■ board has evidently some revenue from the leases of its accommodation houses, but apparently quite insufficient to carry out its functions.

On top of tins the league is informed that the meetings of the board have been very infrequent, most of its work being delegated to committees. The Forestry League believes that if the seriousness of the position was known by the public there wo.uld be an immediate outcry for immediate steps being taken to have this matter recti- ‘ .your council is responsible through its delegates for matters driftuig on. as they are doing, 1 have been asked to bring this matter forcibly before you, and also to forward a copy of this Correspondence to the press of e understand that there is a Bill under preparation, but so far we nave not had any indication of its proposals. We trust that you will be impressed with the necessity for immediate action being taken, and that we may rely on vour council making a special effort to see that this valuable public reserve is maintained in its pristine grandeur.