FLOOD PREVENTION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22595, 7 December 1936, Page 11

FLOOD PREVENTION

REAFFORESTATION SCHEME ATTITUDE IN THE NORTH [n\* TET.EGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] KAITAIA, Saturday With a view to minimising the Hooding of the pastoral lands in the north, the North Auckland Associated Chambers of Commerce have made representations to the Prime Minister, the Bt. Hon. M. J. Savage, asking that the Government should prevent the removal of the forest from steep hillsides, and that reafforestation should be carried out in suitable areas. The Government has in hand a comprehensive scheme for the raising of main roads above normal flood level. It is considered, however, that an effort should also be made to prevent the flooding of pastoral lands. Beference to the unnecessary firing of bush is contained in a letter from the Commissioner of State Forests, the Hon. F. Langstone, received by the associated chambers. Mr. Langstone states that the whole subject is at present under consideration by representatives of the department most concerned. Every endeavour should be made to prevent the unnecessary and useless firing that is prevalent on open lands, with a view to allowing natural regeneration to take place. This will undoubtedly result in flooding being minimised. "I will do all in mv power to prevent further denudation of our steep hill country, and no land carrying forest, which is considered to be of use for purely protection purposes, will be offered for settlement," Mr. Langstone's letter concludes.