GROUSE IN NEW ZEALAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20597, 23 June 1930, Page 12

GROUSE IN NEW ZEALAND.

Sir,—Tho report that grouse have been seen in the National Park is of great interest, and of some importance to New Zealand. If this fine game bird can be successfully acclimatised in this country it will add considerably to our sporting attractions, which already provide quite > 'a large income for the nation. We have in both the North and the Sotrth Island great areas of wild country, which, while : : : admirably adopted, for tourist and holiday grounds, are fit for little 1 else. The mountain regions of Canterbury and Otago above the cold lakes are of this class, said r the higher parts of the central plateau of the North Island, in which is situated the Tongariro National Park, is almost unrivalled in the- same direction. Unfortunately, we have among as a large number of people who,-having no knowledge of the - real features of our wild country, are obsessed with the cur iocs idea that the only way to make it attractive is to keep it strictly as it is, and to add nothing to it. Now the hundreds of square miles in. the National Park in their natural condition are, apart from the giant volcanoes and the thermal wonders, singularly empty and monotonous. If wo are to make this region a pleasure and recreation ground, which is its real purpose, we must add game birds and other forms of life and beautify it by plantations of the finest exotic trees. Grptise should thrive in this part of the country if they are provided with the right class of food plants, as would many other game birds. Many vialuahle nut trees should grow there and also many varieties of fruits, all of which would increase the attractions of the park and provide revenues for its upkeep. The pother made ' about the planting of Scotch heather there was somewhat absurd, considering that at the worst nfc could only replace the useless tussock grass, and the idea. •* that the park should be kept in its, native state is equally absurd, considering that we have far too much country in the same district still in its native stats and likelv to remain so for all time.. . F.C.R