MANGAMUKA GORGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20725, 19 November 1930, Page 14

MANGAMUKA GORGE.

Sir,—lt must have been learnt, with the very deepest regret by everyone who knows the north of the decision of the Government to permit the destruction of this most beautiful piece of bush scenery. Ono wonders what, can have possessed (ho minds of those in authority to allow this. We are all only too conscious of tlio general financial depression through which tho country is posing, a feeling which is very liable to develop into something akin to panic, and ono is regretfully forced to the conclusion that, our Government must have icached that state, of inind and nerves even to dream of destroying the Mangamuka. Tho cash value of tho timber to the Government, whatever it may be, is nothing compared with the wonderful beauty of ono of the few remaining pieces of bush scenery up north. Those who know tho gorge will bear me out that, it, will compare in beauty with such places as tho Motu and Buller Gorge, beauty spots that stand out in sharp contrast to the ugly soars oil the countryside left in tho wake of tho sawmiil. It cannot even bo claimed that the proposed clearance will open up new cjuutry for settlement. Even were that so, are there not, acres enough of partially or wholly cleared land in this north country from which to choose places on which to establish our potential farmers? I'u those who know the Mangamuka Gorge, and those who have any appreciation of our wonderful virgin bush, tho proposed action of the Government must rank as an outstanding net of vandalism, for which there can bo 110 shadow "f justification. Auckland and the. north should rise as a man and protest against throwing away one of the most real assets still left to a country where destruction has run riot too long already. By this action New Zealand would earn tho thanks ol generations unborn, if for 110 other reason than that, of showing a modicum of common sense in saying what, is most worth preserving. A Wandkheb,