FOREST HILL RESERVE

Southland Times, Issue 23444, 26 February 1938, Page 6

FOREST HILL RESERVE

Authority Sought By County Council PRESERVATION OF SCENIC AREAS The need for having the scenic reserve at Forest Hill vested in the Southland County Council, so that money could be spent in making the area more attractive was emphasized by Cr W. M. Norman at a meeting of the council yesterday. Cr Norman mentioned the reserve during a discussion on a letter received from the New Zealand Forestry League. The letter sought information about privately-owned scenic reserves and bush in the county. “The council of the league has undertaken to complete a list of all scenic areas throughout the Dominion that are not publicly owned or controlled, the object being that during a period of time some steps may be taken to endeavour to ensure that such areas may be permanently preserved, either by the persuasion of the owner or by purchase by State or privately-subscribed funds, or partly by both means,” stated the letter. “It is recognized that in practically every district there are patches of native forest, although they may be quite small in area, which are of distinct value from a scenic point of view, and consequently if destroyed, would constitute a district if not a national loss. Historic spots are also included in the league’s objective.” The chairman (Cr A. S. McNaught) recommended support from the council, and it was decided to send any information about Southland scenic areas. Cr Norman said that there were 480 acres of scenic reserve at Forest Hill and he considered . that it was time something was done to have the area vested in the council. The council then would have power to spend money on it. It was an ideal picnic spot and could be made attractive to tourists and picnickers. Tracks ' could be cut through the bush and the reserve generally improved.“It is the only patch of real native bush left in Southland,” said Mr Norman, “and we should do all we can to protect it.” It was decided to make application ‘to the department to have the area vested in the council.