THE WAITAKEREI RANGES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9496, 27 April 1894, Page 5

THE WAITAKEREI RANGES.

PROPOSED FORMATION OF A , RESERVE. . , IMPORTANT DEPUTATION TO THE CITY COUNCIL. THE GOVERNMENT TO BE APPROACHED. An influential deputation waited upon the City Council yesterday evening in reference to the formation of forest reserves in the Waitakerei Ranges, amongst those 1 present being the following gentlemen :—Dr. J. L. Campbell, Mr. Wm. Crowther, M.H.R., Professor Brown, Professor Thomas, Messrs. J. H. Upton, A. E. Devore, W. S. Wilson, Wm. Johnston, Graves Aickin, L. J. Steel, Archibald Clark, John A. Tole, dam Porter, T. W. Leys, A. S. Russell, C. C. McMillan, Wm. Berry, A. Heather, Jas. Hardie, J. W. Tibbsj Wm. Gorrie. The object of the deputation was to prefer a request that the Government should be asked to set aside as a public reserve certain areas in the Waitakerei ranges, in which is growing native bush, in order that such bush may bo preserved from destruction, so that visitors and future citizens may be enabled to see the great beauty characterising the primeval forests of New Zealaud. On the deputation being introduced The Mayor said the Council was pleased to see such an influential deputation on such an important matter. He was sure all. members of the Council were fully in sympathy with the movement. Professor Thomas then laid before the Council a plan of the reserve. There was, he said, a reserve in the ranges which appeared to be eminently suitable for the purpose. It was situated to the south-west of the Nihotupu river, the main block being in the parish of Karangahape. This had an area of 2918 acres, whilst some smaller sections near would make up a total area of 3500 acres. This was still covered with very beautiful bush, quite equal to the average of the Waitakerei, and scarcely had been touched anywhere by the hand of man. The reserve was bounded on the north-west by the Nihotupu river for about li miles, and in this part occurred the third to the highest and the finest of the falls in the Nihotupu stream. Then the reserve stretched westward, lying along the slopes of the ranges towards the Manukau harbour. Along those slopes, thickly covered with beautiful bush, drives might be constructed, and here would be given views of surpassing beauty. There was, Professor Thomas went on, some good kauri upon the block. It was not a very large quantity, so that the commercial value from the timber would not be so very great. Nevertheless there were some noble trees, which would serve to give to future generations an excellent idea of the kauri. The deputation desired to suggest, he continued, that the Council should approach the Government with a view of having this reserve set apart for the recreation purposes of Auckland district. Supposing it were administered by the Council the question would arise what was to be done with it. It was clear that the less done the better, for the better would be preserved the natural beauty of the virgin forest. It would, however, probably be necessary to take some measures for its protection, and a ranger might be appointed. This man might be a settler residing in the vicinity. His duties would be chiefly in the summer, when the chief danger was through fire and trespassing, the trespassers cutting down valuable trees. Access would have to be provided, but here very little would be required beyond rough bridle tracks, which might possibly be made by the ranger. Professor Thomas then went on to urge that whatever was done it was necessary that it should be done quickly. Mr. J. H. Upton also spoke. The idea, he said, had originated with Professor Thomas, and it had been taken up with such enthusiasm that it was felt to be a public duty to bring the matter before some body such as the City Council. He (Mr. Upton) strongly urged that action should be taken in the direction indicated.

Mr. Devore spoke similarly. It would be nocessary iu the future, he said, to provide for a further water supply for Auckland, aud the reserves now under discussion would be of great utility in this direction., The total area of the reserves within a short distance of each other was 4110 acres. The Mayor then moved, " That this Council cordially unites in the proposal of the deputation, and will take immediate steps to urge upon the Government the desirability of at once setting aside some 3500 acres of forest land in the Waitvkerei ranges for a Provincial reserve and a park. Mr. Julian seconded. Mr. Garratt said he would like to see unanimity on the matter, and a committee appointed. Mr. Baume thought too much wasinvolved to be simply dealt with by such a motion as that of the Mayor. The matter was no doubt of very great importance from several points of view. Though the question of th') water supply might be somewhat remote from the object of the deputation, it should not be lost sight of. A strict investigation would be required into all matters. He moved, "That all the subjeots mentioned by the previous speakers be referred to the Legal Committee." Mr. Farrkll seconded, and thought it would be well to do this if the names of Professor Thomas, Mr. Upton, and Mr. Devore, were added to the committee. Sydney had 1500 acres of parks within its borders, while there were in the National Park not less than 36,006 acres. Mr. Dionan thought the Mayor's resolution could be agreed to and so lose no time. A committee could be appointed afterwards. After a little further discussion, in which several members urged there should be no delay, Mr. Baume agreed to add the names of the three gentlemen suggested to the committee. It was, however, the general wish of the Council that the Mayor's proposition should bo first taken. This was done, and the resolution was unanimously carried. Mr. Baitme then moved that the matters mentioned be referred to the Legal Committeo and the three gentlemen named. ' Mr. Garratt objected to the names of any being added to the committee. They had hud work done on committees that was a barefaced swindle. The Mayor : That is strong language. Mr. Garratt i I know it is, but it is true. Continuing, he said it would be better for the Council committee to consider the matter without the pre&ence of any outsiders. Mr. Glover suggested that the name of the chairman of the Waitemata County Council bo added to the committee. Mr. BAUMJS said after what had taken place he would ask his seconder to allow him to withdraw the names of any gentlemen not on the committee, though they would have been able to give very valuable assistance. The gentlemen he had named had had no desire to go on the committee, so he would withdraw their names. (" No " and "Why?") Mr. THORNH said he should objeot to the names being withdrawn. He was not of opinion that the Council was the ooncentra* tion of the wisdom of Auckland. These gentlemen had made the matter a study, and it was absolutely necessary to have their assistance, It was then decided by a very large majority to add the names of the gentlemen named, including that of the chairman of the Waitemata County Council. The deputation, having been thanked by the Mayor, then withdrew.