A STATE FOREST.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 5643, 18 July 1905, Page 5

A STATE FOREST.

ALLEGED TRESPASS FOR TIMBER

TOTARA AT ORONGORONGO

ACTION AGAINST MR RIDDIFORD. On the information of John Strauchon, Commissioner of Crown Lands, Edward J. Riddiford, William Clarke, Eugene Superane, and Albert Withers were yesterday charged before Dr McArthur, S.M., that in the month of February, 1905, at Orongorongo, they did trespass in a State forest, and cut down and destroy valuable timber trees. Mr Bell appeared for the Department of Lands, and Mr Skerrett for the defence.

After reading the act and the regulations under which proceedings were taken, Mr Bell said he proposed to prove that the approximate boundary between the State forest and Mr Riddiford’s property was well known ; that a contract had been entered into by Air Vivian Riddiford, Mr E. J. Riddiford*s manager, with the defendants, Clarke and Superane, by which the Latter parties undertook to split 3000 totara posts, float them down the river, and deliver them at Air Ridd'iford’s property. He would also endeavour to show that there were not sufficient totara trees on Air Riddiford’s property on the side towards the State forest to permit of 3000 posts being obtained there. The men proceeded to carry out their contract, and in so doing entered upon the State forest and the forest reserve, and cut twenty-seven totara trees and destroyed a number of smaller trees and shrubs. It would be proved that Air Riddiford was well aware of this trespass, and had said it was the men’s business, not his. The men had been guilty of a serious trespass, and if Air Riddifords complicity was also proved, ho likewise had been guilty of the same offence.

David Craig, Crown Lands Ranger, gave evidence regarding the destruction of trees and shrubs along tho Orongorongo stream to a distance of nearly five miles above Mr Riddiford’s boundary; also that ho had, on visiting Mr Riddiford’s homestead, noticed a dearth of valuable totara timber on the river flats within his boundary.

Reginald Palmer Groville, government Surveyor, gavo evidence regarding the extent and boundaries of the Stale forest. Ho had noticed that timber had been cut there. He visited Mr Riddiford’s homestead, and saw a slack of totara. posts there. Mentioned to Mr Riddiford that someone had trespassed, but the latter said he had cut no timber on Crown lands for over twenty yeare.

John Brough deposed to having boon employed by Clarke to fell and split totara. Went whe.ro ho was told. Camped up tho river for seven weeks. Got supplies from Mr Riddiford’s station ; also used Mr Riddiford’s horses in packing up tools and first, supplies. Tho tools used came from Wellington. 'Received payment by orders on Mr Riddiford. Many of the trees cut were hollow, and not good milling stuff. Tho river was eroding the banks and causing trees to fall in places. William Waugh, lately manager for Mr Riddiford, said Mr V. Riddiford gave him an agreement between Mr E. J. Riddiford and tho other defendants. Know timber was being out above the ram paddock, and knew tho boundary was about tho ram paddock. Had a conversation in Febrßiry with. Mr E. J. Riddiford., Told him tho men wore cutting posts above the ram-paddock. Ho said it did not matter. The men got food from tho station, and it was charged against them in the books. John Strauohon, Commissioner of Crown Lands, said lie was the informant in the case- Tho matter was not trivial. Totara was a very valuable timber, and its destruction involved tho spoiling of tho forest, and also led to the erosion of the river-banks. There was also a principle at stake. Tho public must learn that State forests must not be interfered with. Was not proceeding merely because Mr Bidd.ford was involved in the trespass, and it was not a fact that he had any incitement from other sources to proceed against Mr Riddiford more than anybody else. Tho oaso was adjourned until 2.15 p.m. on Wednesday.