THE MOUNTAIN CLUB.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 49, 27 February 1914, Page 5

THE MOUNTAIN CLUB.

AN ENCOURAGING LETTER. Mr J. B. Richards, promoter of the Stratford Mountain Club, has received the following letter from Mr H., G. Ell, M.P. for Christchurch South: "Dear sir, —I was very pleased to see by a report which appeared in the Lyttelton Times that you have been successful in organising a Mountain Club, and that one of the objects of the Club is to preserve the Flora and Fauna of Mount Egmont National Park. 1 had the pleasure of visiting this reserve, through the kindness of Mr Wilkinson, M.P. 1 had no idea that the forest; especially the forest on the lower reaches of the reserve, was so magnificent. It is truly a wonderful sight, and 1 Pan quite understand your anxiety to do all that you can in the direction of protecting it from encroachment; and 1 fear that there is every necessity for vigilance on the part of your Association, as there are still people who are disposed to regard reserves as of little value to the country. I congratulate you upon the formation of your Society, and, although I live far' away from Taranaki, 1 sharr be glad to hear from time to time of the work which your Club has taken iu hand. To one who comes from a treeless district—l speak of treeless, of course, in connection with the natural forests—it was a pitiful sight to travel over scores of miles of country formerly covered with magnificent forest, without seeing a reserve of even live acres. I had the opportunity of visiting a reserve near Inglewood—a beautiful spot. It was teeming with bird life. We counted {close on 30 tuis on one tree, and saw them flying about in all directions. There were other kinds of birds also in the reserve, which is situated on the bank of a river. It was incredible to me that some of the people of the district asked the Government to lift the reservation and turn the reserve into a small dairy farm. I may add that it has been a reserve since the year 1892. There are trees on the reserve which cannot be less than 1500 years old. Such ancient giants would be highly prized if they were in England, or in many of the older countries of Europe. But here they seem to be regarded iu the light of their value to the sawmiller, for I saw several of the trees marked with the Government stamp. However, I communicated with Mr Massey by telegram, and he has promised me to look into the matter when he returns to Wellington. It is true that Inglewood is a long way from Stratford. Still, I have no doubt that any effort that is made to preserve the small areas of forest growing in different parts of Taranaki. will meet with your sympathy. Again wishing you "success, and congratulating you upon the success of your efforts." The provisional committee of the club met hist evening and put matters into shape for the general meeting to be held in the Council Chambers this evening, particular attention being paid to the enrolling of members, appointment of guides, the question of a suitable badge for the Club, etc., all of which will b» finally arranged tonight.