KAURI TREES CUT DOWN

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24103, 23 October 1941, Page 14

KAURI TREES CUT DOWN

CONCERN AT TE AROHA (0.C.) TE AIIOHA, Wednesday About six years ago residents of the To Aroha district were considerably pleased to discover that in a neglected part of the old goldfields there was a thriving patch of kauri trees. These trees were found at Wairakau and were not. mere rikas, but fully grown specimens of ample girth and stately height. There were about ■'!() trees. Another equally important group was found at Gordon, some 12 miles from Te Aroha, and comprised a clump of a dozen or more giants with barrels 60ft. high before a single branch was encounters 1. Around both groups there was a veritable forest of young kauris. There has been news that some of the trees from the Wairakau group have been cut down, for they are no longer visible from the road where they were previously to be seen. The matter has already been reported to the Forestry Department, which has taken it up with the Lands Department, but no further information has yet been received. At the time of the discovery of these trees keen interest was taken by all sections of the community to have the areas proclaimed as a reserve. The Te Aroha Chamber of Commerce was one of the bodies most active in arousing the general interest.