BUSH DEPREDATIONS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21910, 20 September 1934, Page 13

BUSH DEPREDATIONS

CUTTING ON MOUNT EGMONT COMMITTEE'S EXPLANATION FURTHER EVIDENCE OF DAMAGE [by TELEGRAPH—OWN correspondent] NEW PLYMOUTH. Wednesday The controversy aroused in Taranaki by the disclosure of timber operations by the East Committee of the Egmont National Park Board was carried a step further last night, when the chairman of the East Committee, Mr. J. C. Robins, replied to criticism at a meeting of the committee at Stratford. In tho course of a long report, Mr. Robins said the references to the committee's operations not only grossly exaggerated the damage which had been done but, as they mostly referred to timber-cutting operations, conveyed a wrong impression. The timber-cutting operations relatdd solely to the disposal of dead wood, the only exception being the unauthorised felling of one live totara tree and two other trees. During the past four years the meetings of the East Committee had been open to the press, and all references to the work that had been carried on had been freely stated. "It, has been, and still is, the con- j sidered opinion of this committee that the greatest danger to the forest on Mount Egmont is that which exists through the possibility of fire," said Mr. Robins, "At the top of York Road is an area of land opened up by the Public Works Department to obtain road metal. As this area is open to tho public it is visited by large numbers throughout the year. An inspection indicated that picnickers had been lighting fires and that cattle had i'reo access." The Danger ol Fire On inspection, tho chairman considered that a large number of rata trees lying across the roadway would be better removed, and, as there was a very great danger of a large area in long prass in summer time being set on fire, it was considered advisable to remove dfead timber. Tho chairman would not agree to allow the dead wood to be removed on a royalty basis only, and stipulated that, as a check, the cartage of firewood, etc., should be arranged by the committee. Mr. Robins added that the accounts clearly showed that the proceeds over and above the royalty, which had been set aside separately for the general purposes of the committee, had been used to supply material for the entrance gates, paying for work on the road, paying the cost of transport, of the men to and from work, and in paying for the committee's lorry and general improvements. Payment to Bushmen The secretary, Mr. G. A. Carter, said a total sum of £llOO had been paid to bushmen and transporters during tho three years from September, 1931, to September, 1934, and also a sum of £297 to lorry-drivers and road workers. An inspection yesterday showed that the removal of timber has not been confined to the York Road area. On the sides of the motor road to Stratford mountain house the operations have been extensive. Since tho end of Junr> nine men have been engaged, and so extensive wero the operations that two packhorses were continuously engaged on several trails in packing wood out to the road, where it was stacked awaiting the arrival of the carrier. These trails wind for 10 chains into the bush' on either side of the track, and at intervals along them are patches of devastation where trees have been felled or split. Most of the undergrowth is trampled down and destroyed. Frequent crossings of patches of mud are necessary, and for this purpose pungas have yielded to the axe to provide culverts.