Whangarei Kauri Bush As National Reserve?

Northern Advocate, 28 September 1949, Page 4

Whangarei Kauri Bush As National Reserve?

A BLOCK of 400 acres of standing kuari bush at Kaigoose Valley is to be offered to the state as a national reserve. The land is Whangarei High Schools Board endowment property and, last night, the board decided to move for it to be gazetted as a national reserve.

In a letter to the board, the Public Works Department sought consent for its taking of land for the straightening of the main highway at Otaika. The secretary (Mr R. G. Russell) reported that a stalemate had been reached in that, by the PWD taking the land, one property would be without a frontage on the road. It was stated that all school endowments will be handed over to the Lands Department if a bill, which is expected to be presented in Parliament next month, is carried. Mr G. A. Bethell said that there was a 400-acre section of standing kauri on the board’s property towards the Kaigoose Valley, which should be brought to the attention of the Lands Department. “I do not know whether it is best to notify the department alter the bill has gone through, or now,” he said. “It will ba a pity if, in 10 years time,

it is destroyed through no one knowing of its presence. TWO MILES FROM WHANGAREI “It is within two miles of the town, and is like a small Trounson Park.” The chairman (Mr H. G. Carruth): It is definitely a scenic resort. “The idea is to get the land gazetted as a national park,” said Mr W. L. McKinnon. Mr- Bethell: It is a slow process. Mr McKinnon: It is the only process. Mr C. A. Lovell asked if it was possible to have a road put in. The general opinion of the board was in the affirmative. “It has great possibilities, but the board can do nothing,” said Mr Carruth. A sub-committee, comprising Messrs McKinnon, Lovell and M. W. Porter, was elected to investigate the position. ii—t .M. .•_ _ ' t