WAIPOUA STATE FOREST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18189, 7 September 1922, Page 9

WAIPOUA STATE FOREST.

SETTLEMENT PROPOSAL.

OPPOSED BY DEPARTMENT.

Replying to representations by tho provincial executive of the Farmers' Union that portion of tho Waipoua State Forest be opened for settlement, the Minister for Lands, the Hon. D. H. Guthrie, states that he is unable lx> take any action in the matter. The land in question is* a State forest under coitrol of the LOiumissioner of State forests. In the course cf his reply, which was received yesterday by the provincial secretary of the Farmers' Union, Mr. W. Kuey, the Minister said a request had previously been made that tho land be opened for settlement a section deep the main road from Tutamoo to Waoku, and also from Tutamoe to Kafcui. Full reporta on the proposal had been received from the local officer of the department and also from tho State Forest Service. The recommendations by tho latter were against the settlement proposal. It was emphasised that the "proportion of State foresi. in North Auckland was only 2.5 per cent, of the total area of the district, compared with a desirable proportion of not less than 25 per cent. It was evident, therefore, that the present proportion would be quite inadequate to supply the future requirements of the district and to reduce present reserves would be injudicious.. The land referred to was the highest in the locality and the forest on it served the important purpose of conservation of stream flow, and should, therefore, not be destroyed. It was also stated that as soon as a systematic working of the forest was put into operation it would prove of great benefit to the settlers of the district, both by giving employment to their families and by making a market for their farm produce.