FINE KAURI TREES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21470, 19 April 1933, Page 12

FINE KAURI TREES

EFFORT FOR PRESERVATION NEGOTIATIONS _WITH OWNER []tv TKI.KGUAPtt —SPECIAT, HKI'ORTER] KAITAIA, Tuesday Ail effort to preserve a piece ot magnificent kauri forest as a scenic reserve for all time is being made by the Wliangaroa County Council. This bush fringes a main highway near the junction of the Pungaere and Waiari Roads and has large clumps of stately trees equal to anything in the Wa.poua forest. On their way North to-day the Minister of Lands, the Hon. E. A. Lansom, and the Minister of Education, the Hon. P. Masters, saw these trees, and it was explained by Mr. W. H. Lane, the county chairman, that the trees had long been regarded as a future reserve, but it had not been expected that thev would be in danger for years. It was now learned that the laud had been individualised and last Thursday the native owner took possession and was now preparing to mill tho timber. It had been suggested to the owner that he should exchange the trees and the laud on which they were standing lor timber of equivalent value growing on Crown land in a near by part of tho district. . . Mr. Hansom discussed the proposition with the owner on the site and assured him that the State would not take advantage of him in the deal. 'I he owner adopted a very reasonable attitude and arrangements were made for him to view the timber offered, after which the proposal will be discussed further.