OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS COLUMN.

Otago Witness, Issue 3100, 13 August 1913, Page 72

OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS COLUMN.

FOR SENIORS AND JUNIORS.

(Cond noted by Magisxer, to whom all com munications must be addressed.)

[Magister will bo ghul to receive Nature notes, marked papers containing educational articles, diagrams, derails of experiments, etc., of scholastia interest to teachers and pupils. Correspondents mu st use o.vlv ox'E side of tlie paper, and whether using a pen name or not, must send both X'AJXE and ADDRESS.! SCENERY PRES ERNATION. FOREST DEVASTATION, RAINFALL, RIVER ACTION. The other day, during a heavy downfall, and when local streams were in flood, one of our teachers took my headings as the opening school lesson, and as on the same morning ho had happened to receive the Parliamentary Report on Scenery Preservation, ho made use of it to emphasise the value of forests and reservations from various aspects—scenic, historic, economic, and medicinal (thermal springs). When streams are in flood it is a good time to show how some streams have greater carving and carrying effect than others, how canyons ami valleys are cut out, deltas and marshes formed ; how rocky surfaces are worn moro slowly than clayey and other surfaces; how forests, grassy areas, humus and other porous surfaces regulate water flow; and how lakes act as settling beds and flood regulators; and so on. Our Cold Lakes may bo used as an effective illustration of settling beds, and of how water can bo stored, and so not only lessen the frequency and severity of floods, but how this stored water can be used as water-power and to generate electricity. On this general subject, “The \\ork of Rain and Rivers” and “Submerged Forests,” two of the Cambridge manuals published at Is net (Is 3d hero), can be read with advantage. Cut as the Report on Scenery Preservation for 1912-15 contains so much of interest on a subject of great economic importance, I am to-day making up a column from it. I suppose very few teachers will see this report, so my quotations are as many-sided in point of view as I can make them. In some eases, through cutting down, dislocation may bo pretty apparent, so attribute any abruptness not to the writers of the reports but to my mutilation to get as much as possible within a reasonable space. Another reason for the extracts: The Ju'y School Journal for Standards V and VI contain a lesson on forest denudation, and much of the Scenic Reservation Report well emphasises that lesson. Will these extracts help forward in any way the celebration of Arbor Day in Otago? Reservation During the Year.—“lncluded in the area reserved during the year was the beautiful Manga-o-Ivowa Gorge, near To Kuiti, a .portion of which can be viewed from the Waitoti viaduct on the Main Inink lino; the Waikite Hot Springs, Ohinemutu, were also secured; a portion of the ramparts and fortifications of the Rangiriri Pa were acquired; the land around the celebrated Te Keinga Falls, near Wairoa, Haw he’s Bay, was permanently reserved, and several patches of beautiful hush on the banks of the Waitotara River, in tho Rangitatau Block, were set aside. Two patches of bush adjoining the Waimarino Railway Station, Mam Trunk line, and an area of magnificent forest adjoining tho railway line close to the Kaitoko Railway Station, on the slopes of tho Rimutaka Hills, were likewise set aside under tho Act. r l ho greatest area of reservation was recorded in the Nelson district, where 45,G00 acres of hilly anti mountainous forest country, chiefly on the banks of the Bailor River, were proclaimed for scenic preservation. The maintenance of tho banks of tho Buller Gorge under forest covering .is most important, so as to prevent denudation of soil from tho surrounding country.

Value of .Sconio Reservation.—“ One aspect of tho operations under the Act must not be overlooked, and that is their great value from an economical point of view, the protection of the soil, tho prevention of denudation on steep slopes and on the mountain ranges, the conservation of the water supply and the! good done to the country from a climatic point of view cannot ho too much dwelt upon. The retention of most of tho reserves is eminently desirable in order to maintain the water

supply iti many districts in a satisfactory state, and as a largo proportion of the reserves are situated on the banks of streams and rivers they act very materially in keeping open the channel and preventing its silting up through the deposit of soil” from tho surrounding country after a heavy rainfall. In some cases the value of a few hundred acres of native bush on the steep banks of rivers and streams may he set down at thousands of pounds, a typical instance being afforded at Jaihapc, where the steep banks of tho Hautapu River and the Otaihapc Stream are clothec. in forest, .which not only protect tho streams in question and tho surrounding country, but wiH undoubtedly tlio town an increasingly large proportion of visitors each year. In this case alone the two or three hundred acres of hush so long us it is kept intact, may be valued at £100,000; but should it be destroyed and the land denuded of forest covering, the damage done to the streams and the surrounding country would he very great indeed. it is hoped, therefore, that lad bodies ami settlers throughout the dominion may realise more and more how advisable it is to maintain scenic reserves in suitable positions as much in a state of nature us possible, and future generations will undoubtedly bless their efforts in this direction. Another matter of importance is the extension of the boundaries of the Tongariro National Park in accordance with the rough scheme proposed in tho joint report of Ur Cockayne, h'.R.S.. and myself. It is probable that iw this park were made more conveniently accessible to tourists it would prove one of tho greatest attractions in tho dominion. There are in the accessible parts of the world few active volcanoes that can he inspected with such ease and safety as Ngauruhoe. I am afraid that in the North Island, where native bush is still plentiful, scenic reserves are looked upon by tho country residents with disfavour; but the bush on private and native lands is every year rapidly diminishing; and I think it may safely bo concluded that in quite a few years the children of tho present objectors will be strong appreciatera of the beneficent foresight of those who conserved for their use; and enjoyment specimens of forests which are beautiful and unique. Then they will grudge the comparatively few acres that these reserves occupy no more than the average city man grudges the areas that

are taken up by the city parks and gar dene. ,

Damage by Stock, —“ All people who make any study of forest-preservation are unanimous in the opinion that it is absolutely essential to exclude all herbivorous animals from the forests. Not only are there many plants that they soon eat out, but by breaking down the undergrowth and opening up tracks they let in light (which enables noxious weeds to get established) and wind (which, by its drying effect, increases the risk of fire). tStock also carry about seeds of noxious weeds in their dung or in their hoofs. Furthermore, if the seedlings in our native forests arc going to De eaten by trepassing stock, what wit there be to replace" the big trees that in most cases arc on the decline ! The above opinions 1 have expressed in previous reports, but they arc of such importance that their reiteration must be a part of any essay on forest-preservation. Fires. —“ Any observant person who travels much through New Zealand cannot fail to notice how recklessly people burn off the natural covering of the land in places where it should never be interfered with In the mountains of the South Island one secs steep slopes, formerly carrying a dense growth of tussock, fast being converted through the agency of fire into shifting shingle-slopes. In the North Island one sees the sides of deep gorges and steep hil.sides (once carrying a vigorous crop of tutu, manuka, or fern, which used to retard (he • run-off ’ of the water) being recklessly burnt off, and rapid denudation taking place. Is it not time that we should adopt some severe measures to stop this and stupid destruction? In the United States and Canada quite numerous staffs of fire wardens are kept, and their wages are said to have been paid many times over by the property thev have saved from fire. In bis last annua' report the Director of Dominion Parks, Canada, states that since the railway companies have been forced to use spark-arresters on the trains there has been a very marked diminution in ihc number of prairie and forest fires. Native Birds.— ‘ All that I have io report with regard to our native birds is that I liberated’ on Kapiti Island sanctuary three night parrots (kakapo) and five kiwis from the South Island. The birds were in good hi art when let go, and should succeed on the is'and. It is hoped later on to put on this island some more specimens of our rarer birds Botanical.—“ I bad little opportunity of botanical work this year, so all I have to record is the discovery of some plants in. new habits. Tencridium parvifolium, Microloena polynodam (a bamboo-like grass), and Veronica parviflora were found in Whisker’s Bush at Fcilding. The diminutive plant Drosera pygmaea I found at Waiouru As this plant had previously boon found on’y at the northern and southern ends of the dominion, its discovery in the middle is of considerable interest. Oleana furfuracea (a daisy tree) was found near Pipiriki, and Paratropbis heterophyila (a rubber-producing tree) at the Hokonui Hills.

Pelonus Sound. that there now generally is a growing conviction amongst the Belorus Sounds settlers that the scenic reserves arc in reality adding to tlie value of their ho'dings. and there is evidence that greater care than formerly is now being taken to prevent fires from getting into them 1 may also say that nearlv the whole of the Sounds County settlors arc now in favour of the preservation of the Upper Tennyson Inlet as a national reserve; and. considering its value as such compared with its small value for any productive purposes, I would beg to urge that the whole of the iinaiionated ltd s and bush left on ihis inlet should bo at once permanently reserved. Tennyson Inlet, I may add. is one of the scenic assets of New Zealand, and from its value as a flora and fauna reserve, as well as its accessibility and tlie delightful interests that arc attached to it. it is worthy of tlie nation’s care.

From the Report on Queen Charlotte Sound.—“ During the year just c'osed matters in connection with the abovenamed reserves have remained much as in former years. Campers have been exceptionally few, though visitors have kept well up to the average. Roth these sections of the community, on the whole, show a great admiration for and a kern desire to protect the reserves, though a few unprincipled vandals appear to take a delight, in committing all the damage they can safely do. Two additional reserves have been added to tin number in Queen Charlotte Sound—viz.. Kaipnpn. within two m:hs of Piet.in. and Whonua-nui, about, four miles. Roth contain mnnv beauty spots, and through their proximity to town should prove a great attraction to visitors. Kumutoto Reserve: This reserve now takes premier place as a resort for campers and visitors, large numbers visiting it in the course of the season Ship Cove: During the past year a handsome and substantial monument to the memory of Captain Cook was erected here. The unveiling ceremony took place on rite 11th February, and was a gr9.lt and brilliant success, an estimated gathering of some 2000 visitors being present. Wild Rig Hunts: On the 10th June and 14th September. 1912. wild pig limits were carried out with the assistance of adjoining settlors, the idea being to drive out the pigs breeding there, and so relieve the settlers of 'he depredations caused by them. On both occasion- the weather was unfavourable, tlii results being practically nil; since when no complaints have. lieen made in regard to the pigs.” The report concludes with foiti' pages of illustrations, two being historical. One shows the unveiling of the Captain Cook Monument, and the other is a plan of Horahora-Kakahn Pa. which commanded a view of all approaches to the pa and to Port Underwood. "It was at this island pa that the proclamation of the British sovereignty over the Middle (now South) Island of New Zealand was made on June 17. 1540. bv Major Bnnbnry. 80fh Regiment, and Captain Xais, of H.M.S. Herald.” Xow. wouldn't it be . a good thing if pupils in all the schools had parts of this report read to them? SPRIXG IT A? COME. Last Saturday, in company with Mr Tannoek, our superintendent of reserves, and Mr Chamberlain, the acting secretary of the Amenities Society. I had a walk along the Queen’s Drive, start ng at Cosy Dell and ending up above the High Street School. Th ; s walk I may have a note upon next week; just now I want my young readers to notice the advance of spring visible along the route. In one place the willows were in foliage, and in another the flowering currant was bursting its flower buds. In cases where deciduous trees are planted in the mass the contrasts between the rich spring skin tints, purple and gold

and so on, stand out in glorous relief. School children living near the plantations along the Belt ought to keep diaries chronicling the signs of the changing seasons. These year by year could be placed in a safe depository, and be. valuable data for the veal's to be; or, even better, let essentials" of the diaries bo summarised for these columns.

NOTES AND CORRESPONDENCE. “Teacher” writes : —“Will you inquire for name of insect that inhabits holes in sunny clay banks? I want to hunt up information on it. Wc boys used to fish for the ‘ inhabitant ’ with pulled grass. We called the grubs penny doctors, and the winged stages sixpenny doctors.”—l’ll try to find out, but in the meantime will some teacher benefiting by our notes send in a description ?