A PLEA FOR THE FOREST

Taranaki Daily News, 9 June 1930, Page 7

A PLEA FOR THE FOREST

EGMONT’S ENDOWMENT REMOVING THE WORST MENACE. A SUGGESTION FOR TARANAKI. Mr. J. C. Bell, who is an old settler in the Oakura district, and an honorary ranger to the Egmont National ParkBoard, has long been known as one of the most enthusiastic advocates of th© conservation of the mountain’s forest. Mr. Bell has closely watched the measures taken for the destruction of goats on the mountain and the neighbouring ranges, and he is convinced that the good work which has been done would justify the people of Taranaki, through the local bodies and individually, in making a determined effort to remove completely the menace to the native forest. His ideas are set out in the following statement:— I have just looked up my diary and find it was on February 4, 1928, that the Egmont National Park Board members, with several local enthusiasts and myself, went over the newly-cut Davies track. We entered it about 1 p.m., the billy was boiled and afternoon tea enjoyed on the summit during the afternoon, then speeches were delivered, some photos taken, and we started oh to complete the trip, but had only gone a few chains when Mr. Maxwell called a halt and asked the board to discuss the goat menace. Certainly, the place he chose helped to drive home his arguments. He told, us what had happened in other, lands and what would happen here, also, if we did not . stop the pest. Mr. List, in replying for the board, said they were disappointed with results so far, but thought they were working on right lines now, and eventually would clear out the goats. . : For my part, I felt it was a big undertaking; the goats had a long start and breed rapidly. . From .our vantage point of 2240 feet, with the Pouakai ranges in the distance and Egmont still farther off, there would be a lot of ground to cover, and where., would the money come from. Yet, all around us was the evidence of their destruction—acres of bush open like a park, all the Parapara fern, which should be shoulder-high protecting the roots, gone, leaving the dead roots to show what had been. And now the sun and wind could lick the bare earth of its moisture, and so eventually the end of our rain forests, which depend on it. . . . '. I think we may .review the position now, two years later, with advantage to the Park Board and all concerned. It engaged a couple of good bushmen, who in time trained a pack of dogs}" which, now are as good as one could wish for, and most certainly if that pack can be kept at work (except in trapping season) it will not be long before the'goats, will be gone. I have been -out with them several times and can give you a sample of what I saw. At the end of March the Alpine Club went over the Davies track and reported goats. Two days i later the two rangers with two. dogs,’and,myj self; entered Patua reserve- (Kaitake) at 1 p.m. We were out again ’before dark, having killed 21. The next day a local man went With them (as-pastime) and they secured 14. As that seemed to have got most of them they "returned to their camp, where they could do more good, and at any time they could clear all the Patua ranges, 5500 acres, of goats in a week or 10 days. And this has been made possible by the help of the Park Board in paying for most of the work on the Davies track, of Mr. R. Davies, who moved in the matter, and, lastly, of the local enthusiasts, who have cut many tracks, so that there is no waste of time, and you can move lf the Carrington Road is connected right through, and. the goats thus hindered from following the Timaru river down, it will mean the end of them on Patua.

Now, I would like to ask where can we get a better investment for our money, even if some of it does come from rates, than to protect our incomparable inheritance, as “Junior Guide” ably put it in his letter some weeks ago, and I would add, our irreplaceable in-, heritance. There is about 80,000 acres, held in trust by the board. If we allow for the portion which is not carrying timber, or moisturb-holding, we still have between 50,000 and 60,000 acres. If we have just , planted 260 acres at a cost of about £3OOO adjoining the Patua reserve, will it not/ pay •us still better to police that 50,000 acres of forest at a fraction of the cost?. In Other countries men and flying machines are kept in summer "to fight . fires that might never come. ' The. goats are here. A point also to note is the remark of the hydro-electrical engineer. I notice each year he said the flood waters seem to recede quicker than formerly, and 1 put it down to the destruction going on at the source of supply. Now there is no doubt on this matter in my mind. It will affect the town people, with the rest of us, and we in the country will have floods bigger than ever in the past, and dry streams in summer; , - , The goats killed on the Patua reserve so far number 200, mostly by local men, and on the Pouakai and Egmont by the rangers, about 3630 to the end of May. This is not a bad tally, considering the greatest portion were : killed only as the dogs improved in hunting.-