Sand Dune Control Appreciated in North

Northern Advocate, 26 June 1939, Page 12

Sand Dune Control Appreciated in North

Appreciation of the work being carried out to combat the encroachment of.sand on fertile lands in the North and the development made possible by the utilising of preventative measures was expressed by members of the No. 1 District Highways Council at , the annual meeting in Whangarei on Friday.

Mr R. Coates, Otamatea. introducing thet'Subjedt, said that the planting of th&tsand dunes, If continued, would have.- a-beneficial effect in the North and 2-wbuid become a groat national assetn^v;:";.

chairman, Mr R. H. Pack wood, d'istrictv.ehgineer of the Public Works Department, said he regretted there was not- an. organisation of county council .chairmen which could meet him’ to . disguss such questions as the planting' .of the sand dunes of the Norths. *• " --yv ■ Two-Fold Objectives The work was being carried out uuobtthsivply in, various par.s of the North. It was excellent winter work for the men, and there were many thousands of acres to be dealt with. The work was two-fold as it provided for planting or for afforestation, and it checked the advances of the dimes which were seriously menacing already productive farm lands. The chairman invited chairmen of the county councils to accompany members of his staff and himself in order-, to inspect the work which was being done. rsi Highly Effective 1 ' Other members spoke in support of the work, Mr F. Wordsworth. Hobson, remarking that it was surprising how effective it had been on the. West Coast.

;.,Mr L. J. Matthews, Mangcnui, said that when planted the land provided good grazing instead of being a sandy waste. Marram grass and lupins were planted and when the lupins died off they provided humus and laid the foundations of good soil. ;: -Mr Coates moved that appreciation pf the work done-in stabilising the sand dunes in the North should be expressed to the Minister and that the council urge that,the work be continued. ■ '

■, (Seconded by Mr Wordsworth, the motion was carried unanimously.