FROM WEEDS TO FOREST.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 June 1925, Page 8

FROM WEEDS TO FOREST.

300 ACRES NEAR OAKURA. FORESTRY OFFICER INVESTIGATES In response to a request that about 30C* acres of the Egmont National Park near Oakura, an area which was once cleared for tarm purposes and is now more or less covered with weeds, should be reafforested, Mr. S. A. C. Darby, forestry officer of the Wellington dis 7 trict (which includes Taranaki) has just concluded an investigation of the area, and will now report to the Minister. It is understood that Mr. Darby has formed the opinion that suitable species ol trees can be found for the area in question, which lies on the lower slopes of the Kaitake ranges and has proved unsuitable for farming, being now overrun by noxious weeds. To put it in timber crop would be beneficial to the adjoining farmers Iby doing away with the weeds, and would provide an eventual source of revenue for the- Egmont National Park Board. By having such a near supply of timber the town, should benefit, while firewood, fencing material and electric poles should also be provided. The Farmers* Union brought the matter before the Minister when he was in New Plymouth recently. With the Commissioner of Crown Lands (Mr. J. Cook), Mr. Darby also inspected the Parihaka block, some portions of which are so badly infested, by noxious weeds that it is held they should never have been deforested. Mr. Darby left biew Plymouth yesterday to return to Wellington.