FOREST RESERVES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16492, 6 March 1914, Page 3

FOREST RESERVES.

TO THR: EDITOR.

Sir,—Tour sub-leader of to-day with reference to forest reserves in the North Island, attracted my attention for the reason that in travelling across the United States I found tho same thing being very Seriously tackled there.

• The American lays no stress upon tho scenic aspect-of the quest ion, hut a great deal upon the need of water and soil conservation about the sources of'the great rivers. ' It struck fne that this might be a very important matter to tho North Island some day soon.

The extensive Forestry Department of the United States Government has been made self-supporting bv the proper cutting ancl supervision of-their reserves, whilst, at the same time tho areas have, it is said, improved twenty to thirty per cent even in the few years since the Roosevelt regime took them in hand.

. "Maybe this would not be possible with our' slow growing trees yet. Forests mean a lot more, they argue, than sconeryCto the farmers in tho valleys lower down, viz., . good rainfall, permanent streams and less liability to flood. No doubt their arguments apply hero also.—l am, etc.,

AUCKLANDER Christchurch, February 26.