HORTICULTURISTS CONFER

Taranaki Daily News, 29 January 1934, Page 9

HORTICULTURISTS CONFER

NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN AIM. WEED PESTS IN NATIONAL PARKS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Palmerston N., Jan. 27. The eleventh annual conference of the New Zealand Institute of Horticulture opened yesterday. Mr. J. G. McKenzie, curator of Wellington,parks and reserves who presided, advocated keeping steadily in view the establishment of a national botanic garden, as it would be of immense value in training students. After criticism had been voiced by several delegates of the policy of holding women’s institute and motor-car displays at the national flower show, a mo-, tion was carried that the societies holding the show should confine themselves as nearly as possible to horticultural features entirely. Dunedin was fixed as the location of the next conference.

The following officers were elected: President, Mr. F. J. Nathan (Palmerston North); vice-presidents, Messrs. J. Rigg (Nelson), D. Tannock (Dunedin), P. Black (Palmerston North), J. G. McKenzie (Wellington), T. D. Lennie (Christchurch), J. E. Smith (Hawke’s Bay) and R. Anderson (Southland); executive, Mrs. Knox Gilmer (Wellington), Professor Kirk, Messrs. J. A. Campbell, I. J. Shanks, T. Waugh, H. Baillie, 'R. B. Hammond, W. R. B. Oliver, F. S. Pope, W. C. Hyde, W. T. Goodwin, W. S. Mason, G. A. Green and B. C. Aston, Dr. C. J. Reakes, Messrs. A. D. McGarrock, T. C. Brash, H. Bennett, A. Leigh Hunt, G. S. Nicoll and representatives of kindred societies. It was decided to ask the Government to gazette the first Wednesday in August as a national arbor day. A motion was put on the minutes expressing appreciation of the horticultural activities of Lord Bledisloe. MONEY FOR PLANT RESEARCH. It was decided to ask the department to set aside more money for plant research in view of the fine results achieved by the Palmerston North plant research station. “There appears to be no control of noxious weeds in our national parks, stated Mr. V. C. Davies, New Plymouth, who instanced the Waimarino Plains, where two years ago there were four wild yellow broom plants which last year had spread to a quarter of an acre, and this year to a whole acre. If allowed to go they would soon cover the plains and menace Native and alpine flora. It was decided to support the Canter-• bury Roadside Beautifying Committee in the formation of similar committees. The attention of all local bodies will be drawn to the possiiblities that may be achieved in the direction of road beautification and planting, as is being done along the great South Road at the entrance to Auckland. The conference approved of the Waipawa kauri forest being set aside as a sanctuary for all time. The attention of the Government is to be drawn to the urgent necessity for the preservation of all native forests on steep, high country in view of scenery preservation, prevention of floods, soil erosion, conservation of hydro-electricity supplies* and food for birds. Another remit adopted urged the Government to restrict the erection of shacks and leasing sites on domains, and that no site be leased to private persons on any national park or. reserve. Another remit approved urges the Government to provide for local bodies granting an exemption of rates on bush of scenic value facing a main highway, railway, river, lake or seashore by the deduction of the value of such bush from the value of the whole property. Mr. A. H. Shrubshall (Christchurch) was edected an honorary of the institute in recognition of his horticultural attainment and rervices to the institute. Sir William Lawrence (president of the Royal Alpine Society, England), and Mr. J. Coutts (curator of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew), were elected honorary overseas members.