RANGERS AT TITIRANGI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18945, 17 February 1925, Page 7

RANGERS AT TITIRANGI.

Sir,—As, the time' is approaching when the young native trees will be spiingitig up and will need protection, I should like to arouse the-interest of the general■ public in their protection. Many people do iiot realise that in cutting down the present trees they are leaving the young trees unprotected, which will consequently die. If this in a short tirn® our beautiful native reserves will tlisappear. The beautiful drive Jit Vtirangi, which is one of this city's chief attractions, is endangered at the present ' time. Thoughtless people are taking, the manuka for firewood, and the only ranger appointed has too large an area, to cover to be able to do much in the matter. As honorary rangers cannot obtain appointment, it is only a question of time before the bush will disappear, unless the public will interest it:,elf. Bush Lover, Sir, —I should like to point out that the Auckland City Council and the Waitemata County Council, in refusing the proposal of the Titirangi Blus Mountains Society that honorary rangers should receive their official recognition, hot- only gave an unnecessary rebuff to an excellent, movement but showed that they 'are unacquainted with similar work elsewhere. Many thousands of city people visit the Titirangi ranges every year and certainly not ail of them are careful as to where they light fires or how they destroy native ferns and other plants. , Certain residents of Titirangi, recognising the danger of the bush being destroyed inadvertently by careless visitors, offered their services as voluntary rangers. All that they asked for was some form of official status: otherwise, if they mad a any protest against fire lighting or wanton destruction of plants, they might bo insuited or even assaulted. It is not a pleasant matter at any time to encounter certain types of picnickers or trippers, and to attempt to stop them doing foolish things is often dangerous; but even this type of person is impressed by the sighs of an official badge or letter. ' The acclimatisation societies of NewZealand make all yearly iicense-holdern rangers by virtue of their license, and v there are honorary rangers appointed for nearly every public reserve or beauty spot in the Dominion. Surely the residents and property owners of Titirangi can b« trusted to act discreetly in defence of their own homes against bush fires and further protection of the bush generally! The City Council talked rather largely, it seemed, of "its own rangers"; it would be interesting to know how many thcrs are arid how far they range; but I must remind the council that it was specially stated that the honorary rangers were to act in co-operation with the council's official. In conclusion, I wish to remind the City Council, in particular, that it has very and valuable properties in the Titirangi district, which it holds withoat ; payment of taxes or rates. Voluntary rangers would help to protect these pro- ■ perties. There is another aspect; Many thousands of city people and visitors tr» the city travel to Titirangi monthly, almost weekly at the present, time, and find pleasure in its beautiful: bush and charming scenery. Would they find this pleasure if the bush were blackened and ruined by fire? Resident.