KAKEPUEU MOUNTAIN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23203, 24 November 1938, Page 10

KAKEPUEU MOUNTAIN

AFFORESTATION SCHEME COMBATING NOXIOUS WEEDS [rEOM OTTB OWN CORRESPONDENT] TE AWAMUTU, Wednesday A proposal by the Waipa County Council for the afforestation of Knk&puku, a conical mountain, which rises to a height of 1480 ft. in the Te Awamutu district, was supported at a meeting of the Te Awamutu Borough Council. 1 Part of the» mountain is a public reserve, part is privately owned, and the remainder is native land. Mr. G. S. Clarke, who represent# the Kakepuku riding in the county, said that the County Council, as a means of combating the noxious weeds menace, favoured afforestation on portions of the mountain which were uneconomic for farming. "Formerly, the mountain was comparatively free of noxious weeds," said Mr. Clarke, "but of recent years broom, gorse, blackberry and ragwort have become established." The speaker said that settlers on the lower slopes of the mountain were eager to co-operate in an afforestation policy which would be effective in combating the noxious weeds menace. An area of some 600 acres was involved and it was hoped to prevail upon the Forestry .Department to undertake the work. The Mayor, Mr. 6. Spinley, said that some time ago he had advocated the formation of a motor road to the top of the mountain. From the summit a remarkable view of the whole district could be obtained. He suggested that any scheme of afforestation should keep in view the ultimate formation of sueh a road. _ : Mr. G. M. Wall said that Maoris in the district had not reacted favourably to the proposal for the formation of a road as they regarded the mountain as sacred. Possibly, however, these objections could be overcome.' The council unanimously decided to support the Waipa County Council in its proposals for afforestation.