LAND FOR FOREST

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19812, 14 December 1938, Page 13

LAND FOR FOREST

PURCHASE BY STATE

VREA IN X. CANTERBURY

Land totalling 4800 acres in the Ashley-Kowhai foothills is to be purchased by the Government tor the first section of a 10,000-acre afforesta,iori scheme in North Canterbury. The first area to be bought is 3800 acres owned by Mr. J. C. Pateman, and the price will be £6600. The early establishment of the base namp is now expected and planting .vili probably begin next June or in the early spring. The block of 3800 acres was under offer to the Govern-

ment some time ago, but a hitch occurred over the purchase price. The figure .now to lie paid is that which was first offered.

The acquisition of the land, the Commissioner of Slate Forests, the iion. F. Lnngslon.e, said iii an interview in Ohrisichurch, would enable •mother permanent State forest to be Parted. The value of afforestation tor prevention of soil erosion could not be too strongly emphasised. Mr. Langstonc added that the •iffcrcs'tation of .high country was being considered by the Government, and the State Forest Department had been asked to .make inquiries into the possibility of obtaining trees and flora suitable for planting at higher altitude.*).