Use Same Kauri For Spike Climbing?

Northern Advocate, 18 May 1949, Page 4

Use Same Kauri For Spike Climbing?

Further allegations regarding the damaging of kauri trees by climbing with spikes were made at a meeting of the Whangarei Chamber of Commerce executive last night. The question arose from the reply made by the . acting offlcer-in-charge of the Waipoua Kauri' Forest (Mr A. A. i Restall) to statements made at a discussion at the chamber’s quarterly meeting. “Climbing for demonstration purposes would not be so bad if a different tree were used each time, but they keep using the same one, said Mr J. F. Johnson.

“When I last visited the forest, a special demonstration climb was arranged.

“Quite a number of cameras were about, and the people took up their positions for some snaps. “The conservator gave himself away by saying that the photographers always stood in the. same place, which meant that the same tree must have been used each time.

“Mr Restali stated that climbing was done to collect seeds.

"Admittedly, that is correct, but the conservator gave himself away on a second point when" he told us that permission had been granted for men to climb the trees to collect gum and obtain royalty on the sales.?' WHY NOT USE REVXUS

The president (Mr, K. Haslett) suggested that a letter be sent to the conservator of state forests asking him what climbing had been done. Mr Johnson said he considered that press publicity would be better that a letter.

Mr H. M. May remarked that a climbing demonstration was to be given shortly at Waipoua, and he intended to be present.

Mr Johnson: They have plenty of big rimus there, and why they do not climb them for demonstrations, I do not know. •

A suggestion was made that a delegation should ask the supervisor of the Whangarei Borough Council’s parks (Mr F. S. Holman) for his opinion. Mr Holman is a recognised authority on kauri trees. Mr W. L. McKinnon remarked that the chamber should be sure of its facts, because, as laymen, the members could be made to look very foolist.