DAMAGE AT RANGITOTO

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 139, 2 September 1927, Page 6

DAMAGE AT RANGITOTO

REPLY TO CAMPERS’ DENIAL DESTRUCTION CONTINUES While asserting that he made no allegations against the residents and campers of Rangitoto island for the destruction of native flora, Mr. Geo. Graham insists that the flora is being destroyed. On Monday last THE SUN published an interview with Messrs. S. W. Somerlield and S. Donaldson, two of the oldest week-end campers on the island, who said they resented the assertions made that campers were destroying the flora. Mr. Graham to-day showed a SUN representative a letter he had sent to the Rangitoto Domain Board In which he said that destruction of native flora was quite evident after a visit to the island. He makes no allegation against the campers or any individual, but insists that one has only to visit the island to see the broken limbs of trees, especially pohutukawa, lying about. "I am only interested in the conservtaion of native bush,” said Mr. Graham, “and it is a great pity that this destruction of trees is allowed to continue. What 1 say I know, and that answers the assertion that I don’t know what I am talking about, if, of course, my letter was being referred to.” He was of the opinion that the Prisons Department should exercise more care in the forming of the roads as at present the tracks were cut wherever wanted without thought to tlio trees and bush that had to be sacrificed.