THE KAURI.—A PROPOSAL FOR AUCKLANDERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 7006, 1 May 1884, Page 3

THE KAURI.—A PROPOSAL FOR AUCKLANDERS.

1 n ,n liMn iJgi-EUJ. TO THX EDITOR.

■ Sib, —Allow me to answer, through your valuable columns, some adverse criticism upon my painting entitled "A Giant of OuriForests," now being exhibited at the Seoiety oi Art*. Thero are two aides to every pieture, .and mine is not intended as an example of composition, but as a study." 'The kauri, generally speaking, has one nde bare and the other covered, and the trunk of ■ the giant is so disguised on its sooth aide that I ohose the former for my pioture. Thie is one of many things one hoe to learn before 'idealizing our bush scenery, and which no true artist will do if he values his reputation for long. That the writer has seen " Themis-: tooles," I-have no doubt, neither do' I differ 'from him for my own part, that I have not done justice to the giant of the WaitakereL : But that my picture conveys a meagre impression of so noble a specimen was not my fault; the vastness of the trunk can only be realised when standing away from it at iome distance, and which I could not do owing to the proximity and densenesa of the undergrowth! If the writer of the article really interests himself about the giant, and I feel sure he does, having recognised'him from my painting, albeit herons it down, I shall be glad to show him ' what he would have, no doubt, appreciated more, and might term the poetical view, as opposed to that other significance he gives, ' and where the finger of time and of the centuries has been busy, and then, perhaps, "Currente Calamo" will allow that it was not for want of discernment that I have perpetuated him in bis real character, which is after all a kauri tree. I write this, not that I do not court free criticism, but think that "Currente Calamo " might have exhibited more generosity as an art critique, and more patriotism as a townsman, than' by so vigorously attacking my poor tree, and that if he and the publio. interest themselves in the preservation of a reserve, which will be a boon to future Auckland to secure now and before it disappears—that of purchasing the only block of kauri now remaining in the range—they will not throw cold water upon my effort, which, : however commercially viewed by "Currente Calamo," is no way a speculation on my account. And' now, whilst lam alluding to this subject, although the scheme may appear at first glance quixotic in the present, it is nevertheless a practical one, and one which nearly concerns our beautiful city to secure, whilst it is able, also so splendid a reeerve, so easy of approach to our population, more beautiful than Vincennes to frenchmen, tbe boast of Aucklanders, and a resort for artists and of art schools in the future. Though how long without some suoh protection, (he slightest accident from a fire . stick may lose to us for ever. Since I have been a resident in our eity, I have paid yearly visits to the Waitakerei, and have sketches of . paths and vistas of primeval forest now bat bleached desolation. I think it is time for some of our rich people to make the move, for unless we do this now the kauri will be gone, and .what is now beautiful foreit olad range, will soon become a monotonous fern slope of mixed tea-tree and low tcrub.—l am, &0., ' Kennett Watkins.