THE CITY RESERVES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22256, 8 May 1934, Page 8

THE CITY RESERVES

TO THE EDITOB Slß,—The letter by “Iconoclast” concerning the Reserves Committees lack of interest in, and almost criminal neglect ot, the native vegetation in our reserves is most timely, but I am afraid that nothing will rouse this committee into a proper sense of its responsibility in this matter. Time and time again letters deploring the destruction of New Zealand plants around the city havo appeared in the press without having the slightest effect in the direction desired. It is evident that the Reserves Committee and its chief officer have very little interest in that unique assemblage of plants which once covered virgin New Zealand, and for years past their policy, as shown by their works, has been to destroy—little by little, it is true, but nevertheless surely. _ I understand that the Flagstaff Scenic Reserve has been under the control of the City Council for some time. If so, it is high time that the large .patches of gorse and broom now present in various places on this reserve should be . eradicated before they increase their holdings. Otherwise a splendid excuse for the planting of exotics on these areas will be available. In this connection, perhaps the Reserves Committee could tell me how many acres are occupied by exotic plantations around the city, what these plantations have cost the city, and what the city expects to get out of them.—l am, etc., Dunedin, May 7. Rimh.