THE NOBLE KAURI.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLII, Issue 1735, 10 February 1921, Page 2

THE NOBLE KAURI.

AMERICAN EXPERTS VIEWS. If the kauri forests of New Zealand had been kept intact by judicious management, they would have paid off the national debt of the Dominion, is the opinion of Mr Ernest H. Wilson, assistant director of the Arnold Arbo Reum, Harvard University, who has concluded investigation of some northern forests near Dargaville. It was too late now, he said in an interview, to regret that kauri had been ruthlessly squandered. All that could be done was to preserve intact the kauri and other forests that remained. Speaking of the Trounson Kauri Park near Dargaville, which was presented to the Government by Mr J. Trounson. Mr Wilson said it is the most magnificent thing of its kind that I have ever seen, and you have a wonderful asset in that park, especially from a scientific point of view. You have in that forest one of the finest things on earth. The trees, with their cylinder-like trunks, are quite unlike anything I have seen. They resemble very much cathedral columns, and are quite unlike any other trees with which I am acquainted.” 1 . Mr Wilson observed that the kauri had a place in the forefront of the great trees of the earth, and certainly ranked well with the large trees of California. Of course, they were not as tall or as large as-'these latter, “but,” he said, "if half I have been tolc\ of the enormous growth of some giant kauris is true, then they stand in comparison with the greatest trees in the world. They are noble among trees, noble in appearance. They have no faults as far as I have been able to ascertain.’ Mr Wilson said that young trees should be protected, and adult trees taken away. This would enable the country to grow all the timber it required after a few years. For years past, young trees had been destroyed, and consequently the country was becoming denuded of its natural covering.” New Zealand,” added Mr Wilson, ‘by reason of the clearing of bush from the hills, is being steadily but surely washed out to sea*”