PRESERVING KAURI FOREST

Stratford Evening Post, Volume II, Issue 227, 24 April 1933, Page 8

PRESERVING KAURI FOREST

I County Council's Effort

• An effort to preserve a piece of magnificent kauri forest as a scenic reserve jfor all time is being made by the Wha- ' ngaroa County Council. This bush frinjges a main highway near the junction .of the Pungaere and Waiari Roads and has large clumps of stately trees equal to anything in the Waipoua forest. On their way north this week the Minister of Lands, the Hon. E. A. Random, and the Minister of Education, the Hon. R. Masters, saw these trees, and

it v.- is explained by Mr. W. H. Lane, ithe county chairman, that the trees had ilong been regarded as a future reserve, i but it had not been expected that they j would be in danger for years. It was now learned that the land had been in- | dividualised and recently the native own!er took possession and was preparing to mill the timber.

It had been suggested to the owner that he should exchange the trees and the land on which they were standing lor timber of equivalent value growing on Crown land in a nearby part of the district.

Mr. Ransom discussed the proposition with the owner of the site, and assured him that the State would not take advantage of him in the deal. The owner adopted a very reasonable attitude and arrangements were made for him to view the timber offered, after which the proposal will be discussed further.