STATE AFFORESTATION

Northern Advocate, 5 February 1926, Page 5

STATE AFFORESTATION

PUWERA BLOCK PROPOSALS. CENTRALISATION POLICY ' FAVOURED. With reference to proposals -which had been made that afforestation in the Whangarei district should be undertaken by the Government, Mr A. E. Crane advised the Hon A. D. McLeod last night that a letter had been received recently from the Conservator of Forests which indicated that there was a misunderstanding regarding the subject. With reference to the enquiry made to the department, asking whether land at Puwcra was suitable for tree-planting purposes, it had not been intended to suggest that the proposal should affect the experimental farm lands. The enquiry had been relative to the large areas adjoining the farm, as it was thought that these would probably be suitable for the purpose indicated. Whangarei, said Mr Crane, was destined to become a big centre, and it was felt that it would be beneficial if some of the available land were planted. In the Puwera locality there was a block of some 8000 acres which it was considered would be suit- j able for afforestation. The subject was one for consideration by the Hon O. J. Hawken, who was in charge of the Forestry Department, but Mr McLeod said he knew that a thorough investigation was being undertaken to ascertain the most suitable areas for afforestation purposes. It was recognised by the officials of the Forestry Department that planting on isolated blocks of 500 and 1000 acres was not a satisfactory pro- j cedurc, and the department was looking for suitable larger areas. The Lands Department had made offers to Mr L. Maelntosh-Ellis, Director of Forestry, to hand over certain lands for the purpose of planting. Mr McLeod said he knew, however, from the discussions in Cabinet, that all lines of opinion were towards centralisation in connection with afforestation by the State. He would be pleased to place the proposals in regard to the Puwera block before the Minister in charge of the Department of Forestry.