Help Needed In Preserving Native Bush At Kiripaka

Northern Advocate, 21 November 1941, Page 7

Help Needed In Preserving Native Bush At Kiripaka

! Commendable effort to save another 1 portion of the Kiripaka bush, which j has been a subject of prolonged dis- ■ cussion, is being made by the North | Auckland Forest Society, j The society gave valuable assistance in having 85 acres of the busk | vested in the Crown as a scenic j reserve. Now it is trying to have I preserved the remaining 192 acres I belonging to a neighbouring owner. An option to purchase the area at a price of £650 has been secured, and it will expire at the end of this month. The society communicated with the Commissioner of State Forests (Mr. Barclay) during this week, and secured an offer of £ 250 towards the cost. , Money Wanted A big effort is being made to raise the amount required to complete the purchase price, and firms are being circularised, while donations are being invited generally. The society has in hand £ 175 voluntarily and anonymously donated, and this, with the Government’s offer and money which has come to hand so far as a result of the appeal, leaves £215 to be secured before the end oli November. It would be most regrettable if the irreplaceable bush concerned were destroyed, as it will be if the offer to sell is not finalised, and it is hoped that the required amount will be forthcoming. Harbour Board Donation With a donation of £lO, the Whangarei Harbour Board at its monthly meeting yesterday supported the i society. In the discussion at the board meeting yesterday, when a letter was received from the society seeking financial help to the purchase, Mr. H. E. Hewlett said that the Government was spending thousands of pounds on re-afforestation, and yet it allowed the cutting of native bush. He considered that the sum asked by the owner was too high for the land, but said that, personally, he did ! not want to see the bush cut. J Valuable as Reserve “As farm land the area might not be worth very much, but it is valuable as a scenic reserve,’’ said the chairman (Mr. E. L. Whimp). There were people with bush areas who were endeavouring to take advantage of the public spirit of the forest society, but j in this case the owner was only asking for a return of the money he had invested in the property. That the forest society was to be commended on its activities was the comment of Mr. L. Reynolds in moving that the board contribute £75, one-third the balance needed for the purchase. Mr. Reynolds considered that the borough council and the county council should each contribute a third and then the money would be secured. Public to Contribute The chairman pointed out that the public should and would contribute, and he suggested that the board donate about £lO for the purpose. This was agreed to by Mr. Reynolds and j became a motion to this effect. Mr. K. M. Stevens commented favourably on the activities of the society, and said he thought £lO was not enough. He suggested that £25 be donated. This was later withdrawn and the board decided on a £lO donation.