THE FORESTRY SCHOOL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17571, 9 September 1920, Page 6

THE FORESTRY SCHOOL.

CLAIMS FOR CANTERBURY. [BY TELEGBAPH.SPECIAL BEPOBTEB.] WELLINGTON. Wednesday. The Government was congratulated by both sides of the House to-day on what it had done in connection with putting the Forestry Department 051 a better basis, and members were especially complimentary to the keen interest taken in the question by Sir Francis Bell. Mr. G. Witty (Riccarton) made mention of the projected forestry school. If it was decided that a better place for it than Canterbury could be found he said, he supposed they would have to give way and let it go in the best interests of the Dominion. The Government was to be congratulated upon getting an up-to-date head of the department from Canada. Mr. J. McCombs (Lyttelton) said Canterbury College had various scientific departments that would be of great assistance to the forestry school. He pointed out that 30 per cent, of the native forests in Nelson and on the West Coast of the South Island were directly under the control of the Government, whereas in other districts the percentage in the hands of the Crown ranged from 2 per cent, to 5 per cent. Mr. G. W. Forbes (Hurunui) said that Canterbury seemed the natural centre for a school of forestry. He hoped the Government would consider the matter from the point of view of national interest. If Canterbury was not the right place he would not urge that it should be there, but if Canterbury was the right place, no other consideration should weigh with the Government.