AFFORESTATION PROGRESS

Taranaki Daily News, 22 August 1931, Page 15

AFFORESTATION PROGRESS

EGMONT NATIONAL PARK

KAITAKE RANGE PLANTATIONS,

OPOSSUM TRAPPING WORK. Afforestation work in the Egmont National Park during the past three months was dealt with at a meeting of the Egmont National Park Board in New Plymouth yesterday, when there were present: Messrs. T. C. List (chairman), T. B. Crump, G. Gibson, W. D. Armit, G. J. Bayley, G. R. Anderson, P. Thomson and G. Fraser. The report on afforestation w.ork on the Kaitakes, submitted by the supervisor (Air. V. C. Davies) stated that a block of approximately 35 acres in low fern, was being planted. This completed all implanted land for the board in the district. A small and previously planted area of eucalyptus, macrocarpa, Californian redwood and Oregon pine had also been re-eleaned and patched where necessary. Unemployed labour had been utilised, 12 men being employed under the supervision of a skilled foreman. The bulk of the planting was pinus insiguis, whilst an area of about 3} acres would be planted-in macrocarpa, one acre in

eucalyptus and three-quarters of an acre in black wattle, while around broken bush borders of Californian redwoods had been planted. The trees were all being procured locally. . The new. area to be planted entailed very little clearing, as it had been stocked heavily, and up to «.date practically all clearing had been completed. In the old portion about four days were spent -in clearing and patching. It was estimated that about another seven or eight' days’ work would be required to complete the work.

The Kaitake area was one of the best portions of the whole block for tree planting, being much cleaner than usual and had .three-quarters of its area laying well to the sun. Along the front of the plantation and on the walk into Lucy’s Gully flowering wattles .had been planted. The unemployed labour supplied had proved quite satisfactory.. PLANTING ON STRATFORD SIDE. Mr. Davies also reported on the afforestation work done in the east. A strip of land lying between the road and the stream about a mile long on the left side of the road at the Strat-

ford entrance had - been planted in Californian redwood, 2i)UU trees being required. In case the bush should be gradually killed on the southern face by heavy south-east winds there had been planted 100 three-year pinus insignia. The planting arrangements were under the supervision of Air. Pettigrew jiinr., Stratford, and were earned out quite satisfactorily. Unemployed labour was supplied by the Stratford committee. The total cost, including 2000 fouryear Californian redwood, 100 pinus insignis and cartage had been £2li -2s 6d. The chairman said that he and Air. Armit had inspected the work on the Kaitakes and an excellent-job was be-

ing made of it. The action of the afforestation committee in putting the work in hand was confirmed. Mr. Anderson stated that in the eastern committee’s area. some of the trees were very big' and some were inclined to wobble badly in the wind. Only a small proportion of the trees could be affected in this way, said the chairman, for the bulk were planted amongst the native bush. At the Kaitakes all the trees were doing exceptionally well. He did not think there was any better growth in the Dornin-' ion.

Reporting in.regard to opossum ■ trapping in the reserve the chairman said that the tenders for the rights were so low that the committee dealing with it had decided to declare • a close season and range closely. He thought it would be advisable to make next season a close one also.

In answer to a question, the secretary stated that .£67 10s had been received from opossum royalties in respect of the 1930 season.

GENERAL.

The chairman stated'that he had interviewed the Government regarding the royalty and hoped that when trapping was resumed the board would receive, as heretofore, the full amount of the royalty, over which at present there was some doubt.

In regard to dead timber on the edge of the roads, the chairman said that in certain cases permission had been granted to split it under the supervision of the ranger.

The Taranaki Acclimatisation Society had applied to the board to.prevent fishing in the head waters of the reserve. It was pointed out that the right to fish in' the reserves did not -exist at present, and to make this fact better known the committee had decided to make a public announcement on the matter at the opening of the fishing' season.

® In regard to the financial position of t the board the chairman mentioned that e the income for the current year was estimated at £619, including a credit b'alJ anee of £229, and the expenditure £660. 3 The Unemployment Board had written > to the board asking for an explanation ' of the heavy cost of some of the work done by the unemployed on'the .Stratford road. This had been referred to the 1 Eastern Committee, which had furnished ! full details to the Unemployment Board, i ■ — P. Thomson said it would be interesting to know who was responsible ,for going to the trouble of lodging the complaint regarding the work to the Unemployment Board.—A member: Some “busybody.” An application by the East Committee for the reconsideration of a £5O grant was postponed until next meeting to allow members of the board an opportunity of perusing the voluminous correspondence on the matter. The Lands and Survey Department wrote asking if any finality had been reached in connection with the North Egmont Hostelry lease.—The secretary reported that the acceptance of the hostelry committee was required and that the chairman (Mr. J. S. Connett) had agreed to the lease as now drafted. AN AMENDING BILL. The Under-Secretary lor Lands wrote advising that he could not. recommend the minister to agree to. the board’s proposal to incorporate the local committees, mentioning that if legacies were given for the benefit of a particular locality it, was difficult to understand why . they,., should .not ba . left to- thei b.dgrd with. a, £ag/ or.'instruction aq. ip* the manner in P’.hjch. jthe m.oney received: , .therefrom wa.s ,to-/be .applied. It was. bijflpiderpd the. boat'd should, be. .the- - only.. i

Are you fond of crisp lettuce in Summer? Well, sow Cooper’s Market and Wonderful. Perfect firm hearts. The Best. 3

authority to hold legacies of such nature. Considerable discussion ensued. Mr. G. J. Bayley said that "such a provision would militate against people leaving legacies for the benefit of the mountain.

Mr. T. B. Crump said that from the very constitution of the committees it was intended that the latter , should have full powers to receive and deal with the proceeds of donations or legacies. Mr. W. D. Armit said that at present these had to come through the board, but where directed the board would pass on the moneys derived therefrom to the particular committee concerned. Mr. G. Fraser said that after all, the board was largely the executive of the local committees, whose interests they represented, and for that reason there' was no danger of the proceeds of any legacies or donations not goine to tne area of the mountain desired. The chairman pointed out that the board had for years been endeavouring to secure further powers, which bad now been agreed to, and he would not like any disagreement over a clause which,,was largely in the nature of a technical one to hold up the passage of tho amending Bill. It was decided to leave the matter in abeyance, and to reconsider it should the Bill-mot-be passed during tJho'p're-’l sent!'Session;;i .' - itigtrn saj-fe-;-.?.'•