BUSH CUT ON EGMONT

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 19 September 1934, Page 4

BUSH CUT ON EGMONT

EAST COMMITTEE INQUIRY GIANT LIVE TREES FELLED < ‘RHsiiMEK EXCEED ATJTHOR IT Y’ ’ STATEMENT BY CHAIRMAN. In compliance with the request expressed by resolution of tile Egmont National Park Board, the East Committee, at a meeting in Stratford last evening, dealt at some length with its timber cutting operations on the eastern slopes of Mount Egmont. A

report prepared by tiie chairman (Mr J. C. Robins) following a (searching inquiry into the- alleged “wholesale devastation” of the bush under the control of the committee and a statement of accounts prepared by the (secretary (Mr G. A. Carter) were submitted and approved for presentation to the Park Boacl after the completion of a Government audit. With regard to the allegation that large areas were denuded of bush, the report referred to a newspaper report on August 9, 1934, describing the extensive damage done to the flora of Egmont, particularly on the east side, by a tyclonk- disturbance that uprooted many large trees, including: rimu. totara, and rata hundreds of years old. In some places areas of up to an acre were practically levelled. Members present were Messrs Robins,'Carter, W. E. Williams, C. R. Finnerty, T. R. Anderson, W. L. Kennedy, J. G. Allen and Dr W. P. P. Gordon. An apology for absence was received from Mr P. Thomson. “My committee regrets that some of the Press references to the committee’s operations not only grossly exaggerate the damage which has been clone, but as they mostly refer to tim-ber-cutting operations convey a wrong impression,” said Mr Robins. “The timber-cutting operations” relate solely to the disposal of dead wood, the only exception being an unauthorised felling of one live totara tree and two other trees to which leference is made in this report. During the past four years the meetings of the East Committee have been open to the Press, and all references to the work that has been carried on have been freely stated.

Various points subject to criticism were referred to as follow:

COMM ITT HE’S REASONS

“It has been, and still is, the considered opinion of this committee that the greatest danger to the forest on Mount Egmont is that which exists through the possibility of fire,” said Mr Robins. “The early residents of Tarauaki will remember the famous Stratford fire, which traversed a number of miles from the radius line through this district, and ithe huge amount of damage which was done at that'time. The ‘burnt patch’ half a mile above the Stratford House, covering an area of about five acres, stands out as clear evidence of the damage which can be done as a result of a fire and which is visible from almost any part of Central Taranaki. We remember also the huge fires through the green bush at Raetihi. “When tire question of reafforestation of the area placed under the control of the committee was under consideration four years ago the question of felling the dead trees received very serious consideration. We conferred with Mr V. G. Davies, the honorary adviser to the board, and he recommended that in the area which wo proposed should be replanted the trees should be felled. The chairman personally has conducted correspondence with the late Mr T. O. List, who was chairman 'and Government nominee on the board, on this subject and that he approved of the proposals is clearly indicated in the board’s records.

“Altogether well over ICO dead trees were felled. A mile and a-half of fencing iva-s erected—the posts and battens were taken from the fallen logs, and a letter to the board indicates that all the posts were obtained within the reserve, the furthest point being two miles from the radius line. We have proceeded with a definite policy of cleaning' up the dead trees and carrying on the work of reafforestation, in addition lo approximately 2000 redwoods and other tijee.s planted between Barclay Head ana the gates, large numbers of pongas and native trees hare-been planted between the gates and the .Mountain House. “A ‘statement forwarded to the secretary of the board at New Plymouth when advising how part of the grant made to the committee was expended, pongas were purchased, carted and planted. Voluntary workers have also assisted the committee in this work of reafforestation. It should be needless to point <: t that this committee’s policy was to start at Barclay Boad and gradually work' right through to the end of the bush, cleaning up the dead legs and rubbish and replanting with young native trees.

DEAD WOOD CLEANED IM’. “This clearly explains the reason for the committee’s actions in felling and cleaning up the dead wood in its area, and that its policy is the beautification, the reafforestation and the protection of the bush area under its control from the menace of fire. “That it has been the hoard's policy to dispose of the dead wood in the reserve is dearly indicated throughout the board's records. The Park Board has sold posts from the northern area. The chairman of the South Committee takes exception to the reference to the sale of posts from a dead tree by the South Committee. This committee’s chairman did not intend that the reference should be by way of criticism, but merely that the policy is to sell any dead or fallen trees —and this committee considers the policy a correct one —otherwise the trees would merely be allowed to rot and, if they became dry, a potential danger of fire. The fact that tile amount received byDawson Falls committee is small does not affect the question of policy. “Reference has been made to the ‘huge quantities of firewood and posts’ which have been taken during the past

four years from the area under the committee’s control. This committee’s area is very different from the other areas controlled by the north and south committees. Firstly, there is a large area which was opened up by the Public Works Department for roads, railways, etc., at the York Road end. This destruction occurred many years ago beforo the Hast Committee had control. Secondly, a new road has been formed through the bush for a distance of approximately five miles to the Plateau. The dead wood over these areas is better removed for the reasons already stated. It is obvious that the already damaged condition of the York R,oad area and the opening of the new road to the Plateau provided large quantities of dead wood, the removal of which was necessary.

“At the top of York Rbad is an area of land opened up by the Public Works Department to obtain road metal. Fairly large areas were then felled, bridges and railways laid down and a metal road put through the bush. The top of the road widens out into two roads, and in the centre of the V thus formed an area was cleared by the Public Works Department for aecom modation houses, etc. As this area is open to the public it is visited by large numbers throughout the year. An inspection indicated that picnickers had been lighting fires and that cattle had free access.”

DANGER OF FIRE

Following the committee’s policy and on inspection the chairman considered that the large number of rata trees lying across the roadway would be better removed, and as there is very great danger of the large area in. long grass in the summer time being set on fire, it was considered advisable to remove the dead timber and to close it. The chairman would not agree to allow the dead wood to be removed on a royalty basis only and stipulated that as a check the cartage of the firewood, etc., should be arranged by the committee. The committee’s lorry driver was in touch with the position until tile beginning of June and reported regularly that the men were safeguarding the bush and complying with the chairman’s instructions. As the lorry driver’s services could not be retained after June last, and as it was agreed to sell the firewood at a price on truck, inquiries were made from other carriers with a view to ascertaining the costs of cartage, but as wet weather mteivened the county council, quite properly, requested that- the carting be limited to loads on a small lorry during fine weather only. After the lorry driver left a letter was received from Mr. Dicken, which 1 stated that the chairman’s instructions were being fully complied with. During the next few weeks the secretary was in touch with the foreman, who is an Acclimatisation Society ranger, and reported to the chairman that “we are fortunate in having Mr \ olzlce to supervise the work as he. is very keen on seeing that the bush is preserved.” In passing it should be stated that the chairman would not agree to allow any person to cut the dead logs in the area unless under the supervision of a person who was well recommended, the report continued. Air Volzke is a ranger for the Acclimatisation Society, a man wild has spent many years ir bush craft and who was one of the men who felled for the Public Works Department the trees on the load from which the logs were being taken, and consequently was conversant with the position in so far as the felled timber was concerned. Statements in the Press may have conveyed the impression that the committee has authorised o r connived at the cutting of live timber. This is quite untrue.

TREES BETTER. DOWN. Although not authorised to do so, Air Volzke in his judgment considered that the mint which was felled would be better down. He informs us that it was practically a stump; the top portion of it had been rotted off, although the portion near the ground was green. This was felled 71111! cut into battens, the sap having been chipped oil and can now bo seen lying on the . ground. He considered that one of flic totara trees was dead anct that no harm would result from falling it. I-le also stated that the barrel of the tree was hollow.

The chairman is assured by Mi Velzko that the two men committed an error of judgment in felling the totara tr-co to which reference is made They had asked him about a dead totara tree further up the road and he, thinking that they referred to another tree, advised them that he considered there would be no objection to this tree being felled. He denies that any attempt was made to hide the*, base of the tree, and states that when the tree fell it knocked from another tree adjoining a quantity of gigis, mess, etc., and -.La.cs that an inspection will indicate fli.. point from which the material was UiiocKecl off. He admits that lie should have immediately advised the committoe of what had taken place, and that in authorising the felling of the trees lie o.vceedcd h;s instructions, and has OAprtssed to the chairman and on behalf of the two men concerned their sin ere regret.

The felling of these trees is what has been referred to as “the wholesale devastation of the forest on the eastern slopes cf Mount Eginoiit.” The members of the East Committee have given ten years’ of service in their endeavour to remedy the damage previously done to this area. They have raised many and planted thousands of trees. They hav<. consistently opposed tlm widening of the road where such 1 widening would threaten forest trees which thy cniumitv.'c considered -should bo preserved even at the cost of deviating the read round the trees.

The public can judge for themselves whether a body of public men who have consistently worked to restore this forest would countenance any act savouring of vandalism. Mr V. C. Davies' pointed out that the standing dead trees should he removed before the young trees were planted, otherwise when the dead trees fell the young trees would he destroyed.

CYCLONE CAUSES DAMAGE. In addition to the damage done to the east 'area many years ago, which the committee has been trying to remedy by reafforestation, it should be remembered that in July last or the beginning of August the eastern slopes experienced a cyclone at the time of the very heavy snow fall. All area from

south of the Stratford Mountain House road to well above Fazackerleys sawmill at Norfolk Road suffered very great damage. Problems of this nature have not had to be faced by the controlling bodies of the other parts of th e reserve, whose forest is virgin bush right dovn to the radius line. Reference has been made to a steel cable across a gorge. This evidently refers to a piece of fencing wire stretched between two trees across a gorge some distance below the Stiatford mountain house. Near this area a number of goats were recently shot| and some of the men while over there noted a number of dead totara logs and trees, and although the chairman had not actually seen the logs, etc., fie conferred with the caretaker, who agreed that the wood should be cut into posts. Criticism has been made of the fact that the men had gone some distance into the bush to cut logs. I lie statement is quite true and the men exceeded their authority in doing so, naturally looking for easy logs to cut up. The matter was considered by tins committee, when the point was raised by one of its members, Air Percy Thomson, lie being of the opinion that the logs would be better left as they woic covered with a variety of lichens and mosses. Air I • lb. Anderson and others were of the opinion that the logs would be better removed owing to the fact that, evidence was available that where similar logs had been removed by unauthorised persons before this committee commenced to operate a magnificent growth of young trees was evident, and thus the removal of the logs facilitated the regeneration of the forest. It should also be pointed out to the uninformed that these are blue rata logs and when at first split have the appearance of green timber. TRAMWAY REFUSED. Reference has been made to laying down a tramway. One of the men who was engaged in putting the firewood on the road thought that the use of a tramway would facilitate the getting out of the firewood. The chairman refused to allow any tramway whatever to be put into the bush, and the trolley loaned to the workman by Fazaekerley’s sawmill remained on the road together with some timber for rails for some period. The inferences reported are so unjust that it is undignified to have to answer them, but the position is that on the Saturday afternoon before the first inspection, the chairman was at the mountain house and when discussing with Air Haldane the damage to the buildings as a result of the heavy snowfall pointed out that the woodwork holding the roof of the verandah was not strong enough and that theie was a danger of it collapsing should there be a similar heavy fall of snow. As the workmen did not wish to incur the expense of returning the timber to the sawmill it -was arranged that the timber be removed to the house for use in strengthening the verandah on the caretakers’ house and, such as was suitable, to be used in erecting a shed for the committee’s lorry. The timber and the trollev are still at the mountain house and an inspection will clearly indicate that they have not been used, and neither would the use thereof be permitted. STATEAIEINT OF ACCOUNTS

“Reference has been made to the accounts in connection with this matter,” stated the chairman in conclusion. “The secretary has prepared a full statement. The sub-committee, Messrs Kennedy and Finnerty, who were appointed two years ago to deal with the passing of accounts, will check the whole of the records, submit them to the Government auditor, and when passed by him and any requisitions complied with'they will be handed over to tlie board, lhe accounts clearly show that the proceeds over and above the royalty which has been set aside separately for the general purposes of the committee have been used to supply material for the entrance gates, paying for work on the road, paying the cost of transport of men to and from the work and in paying for the committee’s lorry and general improvements. “This committee welcomes full inquiries into every phase of its activities. Any person interested in the matter is requested to call on the secretary, who will be pleased to advise on any point on which there may be any doubt as to the sincerity oi all members otf this committee in the whole matter. In fairness to the members of the board who inquired into the position it should be stated that these men are elected by the local bodies to the various committees who, in turn, elect members who. with Government nominees, form the board. The whole of the facts were fuiiy reviewed by the members, and after hearing the position clearly explained they passed the resolution already reported—to cease further cutting, clean tlie matter up and present a complete report and statement of accounts.

“This committee has laid down a policy of general improvement to the eastern side of .Mount Egniont to restore the forest, and we feel confident that within the next few years when the results become evident the residents of Taranaki will appreciate that this committee has done much to improve and beautify the area under its control. The east committee invites the residents of Taranaki to visit the Stratford side of the reserve and view for themselves the work undertaken by the committee to protect and regenerate tlie forest. The committee is taking all steps to cbm ply fully with the board’s resolution and appeals to any person hearing of any acts of vandalism immediately to report the mattei* to the board or the committee so . that immediate action may be taken. TRUST ACCOUNT OPERATED

Dealing with the matter of the committe’s receipts and expenditure during the period of its timber-cutting operations, Mr Carter said that his summary was of general items as shown in the joint trust account operated by Mr Robins and himself as follows.— 1 For the year ended March 31, 1932: Receipts: Sale of wood, £2OB 0s lid ; expenditure: General expenses of committee. £3B 8s Bd, amounts paid to lorry driver, £95 11s 7d; wages to

splitters, £224 9s 4d—a debit balance of £230 11s lid covered by advances.

For, the year.. ended March 31, 1933 :—Receipts : Hire of lorry, £5 os ; sales of wood, £283 11s 3d. Expenditure : AVages and general expenses, £l9B 18s; royalties, paid to the committee, £3O 17s Id; wages to splitters, £l9O 7s lOd—a debit balance of £292 os 9d.

For the year ended Aiarch 31, 1934:—Receipts: Hire of lorry, £ll 19s 9d; sale of wood, £717 15 s lid. Expenditure: AVages to splitters, £292 16s 8d ; wages and general expenses, including payments on the purchase of a truck, £319 10s 7d—a debit balance of £126 17s lOd. For five months to date of the current financial year :—Receipts : Sales of wood, £454 13s lid; wages of splitters, £383 11s 9d; wages and general expenses, £s4’l/s 6d —a debit balance of £l4B 14s Gd.

“The summary of accounts is made up to Tuesday of last week and the position is unaltered since then,” said Mr Carter. “There is outstanding the sum of £137 5s in sundry sales which should be recoverable without difficulty.

Dr. Gordon : if that amount is collected would it bring us out on the right side of the ledger? Mr Carter: We have sufficient wood on hand now to wipe out the deficit, clear running expenses and complete final payments on the committee’s purchase of a motor lorry. Dr. Gordon: Have all the royalties been paid to the Park Board? The chairman: No, the royalties have now been paid because ive claim that they should form portion of the income of each committee. TRIBUTE TO CHAIRMAN.

“Considering the difficulties which beset the East Committee at its inception, I think we should be well satisfied with things as they are at present,” said Air Finnerty. He paid a tribute to the splendid work done by Air Robins as chairman. “A better man than Air Robins could not be found anywhere in the district and the manner in which he has handled a very difficult situation deserves the highest commendation.” In acknowledging the tribute the chairman said the committee had only set itself a definite policy which he had endeavoured to follow. “The board lias asked us to prepare a report on our timber-cutting operations and as there has been considerable criticism in the Press of the committee’s activities it was thought desirable that the whole of the facts should be stated quite clearly so that therte should he no misunderstanding.” said Mr Robins in handing the report to the Press. After the report had been read, Air Robins said that it was already a lengthy statement and there seemed little more that could be added. He regretted that the men engaged had so far exceeded their instructions as to cut down live trees. “One must expect knocks if one undertakes this sort of work, but some of the remarks made have been nasty and it hurts to think that after ten years of work doubts have been placed on our honour and insinuations made that we have misplaced the trust imposed on us,” Air Robins continued. “The suggestion that what we have done has been at the expense of the forest is absurd and unreasonable, and I believe that the statements are not believed by fair-minded people.” Apparently those who made the criticisms were misinformed, he said, but it was a pity ;;that no complaints had been made to the committee till the meeting of the Park Board.

Mr Robins moved that the report be adopted and submitted to the board.

Mr Finnerty said that three members of the committee were men with extensive experience of bush work. Others were well known for their interest in native bush. He thought jealousy entered a little into some of the statements that had been made, but criticism was one of the best advertisements the committee had had.

In his opinion the removal of dead timber had done good, said Mr T. R. Anderson. With picnickers lighting fires in the area it was highly desirable that dead timber should be removed. In four years’ time the growth would have been such that it would Re impossible to see. where the dead wood had been cleared. He did not know what was behind “their trouble,” but perhaps Mr Finnerty had hit the nail on the head. Dr. Gordon said that as an ex-officio member, he thought the critics had overlooked the amount of re-affores-tation done. He could not make a definite statement but he considered that the Fast Committee had done more of that work than the North or South Committees. The increasing popularity of Mount Egniont was vindication of the committee’s work.

Mr W. L. Kennedy, who had a great deal of experience with bushfelling and sawmilling in the early days, said he recalled that tracks made on the mountain years ago were now indistinguishable from the rest of the bush. Some years ago lie was appointed a forestry ranger, and if anyone thought he would countenance destruction of the hush he was very much mistaken. .Mr Kennedy considered that jealousy had actuated much of the criticism levelled at the committee.

In huge forests in America there were armies of men doing nothing else but destroying and removing fallen timber, as the East Committee bad been doing on Egniont, said Mr Allen. In view of the fire and .the Cyclone, be considered that every possible piece <<f fallen wood should be removed. Much talk had been made of tlie tracks, yet there were tracks to the various scenic points, and in his opinion the reserve should be a honeycomb of tracks.

The motion war adopted and it was resolved that the accounts be submitted. to Government audit.