WEST EGMONT FOREST RE. SERVE.

Opunake Times, Volume III, Issue 118, 20 August 1895, Page 2

WEST EGMONT FOREST RE. SERVE.

(to the editok.) Sir, —Is it not time that steps were taken to have the control of the West Egmont Forest Reserve vested in a Board of Conservators, who would in ceurse of time be able to open it up for local tourist traffic ? Boards of Conservators have been formed for the north, east, and south quarters of the Mountain Reserve, and are doing good work. On the north side there is a mountain house, the south is making an effort to erect one this year, and the west side remains almost unknown and uncared for. Acting in concert the three Boards are bringing pressure upon the Government to bring in a Bill constituting the whole reserve an inalienable national park, so as to secure it against encroachment, and, had a Board existed here it would have been asked to co-operate ; but the sooner the matter is taken up by, say the members of the Town Board and a thoroughly representative and active Board,/nominated to the Governor for appointment, tho sooner will the beauties of our mountaiu be known to us on this side, whilst enthusiasm carries every year one or two thousand tourists at least part way up the mountain on the other sides. I trust the members of the Town Board may see the desirableness of the step in the same way as I do, and take measures to secure a good active Board. The Board's duties are far-reaching. They partake somewhat of the nature of an Acclimatisation Society in the preservation of game, and in this respect alono the Board's duties would be considerable in seeing that the Forest Reserve is closely watched as a breeding ground for the native birds which are fast becoming scarce.—l am, etc., &