PRESERVING BUSH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22820, 30 August 1937, Page 11

PRESERVING BUSH

HIGH COUNTRY LAND GOVERNMENT'S EFFORTS WESTLAND AND CANTERBURY [I)T TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT! WELLINGTON', Saturday Tho desire of 'tho. Government to preserve as much bush as possible, particularly on high or steep country, was mentioned by the Minister of Lands and Commissioner of State Forests, Hon. l'\ Langstone. He said that in tho past hundreds of thousands of acres of steep, bush-clad lands had been felled for settlement when they should have been loft in their natural state. Heferring to tho main divide between Canterbury and Westland, ho said that it appeared that extensive reservations already existed there, but it was considered that further areas should be set apart. Tho question of proclaiming under the Scenery Preservation Act all the Crown land between existing State forest reserves and tho summit of tho Alps on tho Westland side, and of including in the scenic proposals certain areas of State forest for the purpose of obtaining the best possible natural boundaries, was at present receiving attention, and proclamations would be issued from time to time as the necessary data became available. Closest 00-operation

The closest co-operation was being maintained between the Lands Department and tho State Forest Service in tho matter of ,the protection of high country, and this had resulted in extensive areas of Crown land being sot apart ns permanent State forests and as scenic reserves. Within tho last week or two the Crown had regained control of over 60,000 acres in the country comprising the headwaters of the Grey River. This land had previously been let on pastoral licence, but would now be strictly preserved so that it could fulfil its proper purpose as a water conservation and general protection area. Similar action would be taken in other cases. Lewis Pass Road A similar, policy was being followed on the Canterbury side of the range, said Mr. Langstone. Only last month an area of 45,000 acres in tho Lake Sumner district had been handed over to the State Forest Service for proclamation as permanent State forest, and in the same locality arrangements were being made for similar action in respect of a further 53,000 acres. Arrangements had also been completed for the surrender by tho licensees of all the bush country within two pastoral runs in the Lewis Pass locality. Tho areas surrendered totalled over 68,000 acres. Those portions along the Lewis Pass Bond would he set aside as scenic reserves, while the remainder would be proclaimed as permanent State forest. Experience of the Past What applied to the high country in Canterbury and Westland applied also in other districts according to circumstances. "I want the people of New Zealand to know," said the Minister, "that the Government is definitely in favour of the preservation of as much bush as possiblo, and particularly bush on high or steep country. I know only too well that in tho past hundreds of thousands of acres of steep, bush-clad lands have been felled for settlement that should have been left in their natural state." KAIMAI WATERSHED AREA REPRESENTATIONS TO MINISTER [BY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] • TAURANGA, Saturday Matamata Borough Council, in a letter to the Tauranga Borough Council, thanks the latter for its previous resolution in regard to bush conservation at Kaimai and adds: —"The interest displayed and the promise of moral support is very much appreciated and my council desires that you use every opportunity to bring before the Government the necessity of bush conservation as far as this area is concerned. " The council has endeavoured on several occasions to interest different Governments in tho necessity of protecting the bush on the Kaimais, more especially the watershed area, for the town water supply, and as owners of this land have died and the trustees have placed the property on the market, it is essential to prevent milling interests from purchasing tho rights if flooding and contamination of water supplies are to be avoided. An option to purchase 4490 acres at £1 0s 6d an acre has been secured by the council, and this expires on September 17. Tho intention in securing tho option was to obtain Government assistance to completo the purchase, but to date no finality has been reached with the Minister of Lands, whose latest advice is that tho position is being very thoroughly investigated and that the council will be further advised as soon as possible. " Any action vou may take in impressing on the Government the necessity for retaining tho remaining bush on these hills, from which already too much has been destroyed, will be welcomed, and it is sincerely hoped that your efforts will meet with success." Tho Mayor, Mr. 1. It. Wilkinson, moved that tne Tauranga council support the Matamata council in its efforts to protect the watershed area, also that representations bo made to the Minister of Lands and to tho member for the district, Mr. C. H. Burnett. The motion was seconded by the deputy-Mayor, Mr. A. N. lies, and carried unanimoxisly.