TIMBER FROM MOUNTAIN

Taranaki Daily News, 10 September 1934, Page 3

TIMBER FROM MOUNTAIN

NO AUTHORITY JN THE ACT. STATEMENT BY MR. WALKLEY. In connection with the decision of the Egmont National Park Board that the east committee should cease timber-cut-ting operations in the mountain reserve it is stated that the Act specifies that timber shall not be extracted for revenue purposes without the approval of the Govemor-General-in-Council. This applies to the board and any of its mitteesThe meeting of the board on Friday to consider the matter was held- in committee. Mr. W. G. Walkley, who acted as chairman, subsequently made a statement that he would not attend another meeting unless Press representatives were admitted. For some time reporters had been excluded from the meetings, he said, but as the business transacted was in the public interest he could not understand why the people should not be fully informed of it. The scene of the timber-cutting operations has been in the vicinity of the Public Works metal quarry reached via York Road from Midhirst and, from the edge of the reserve, by a fairly well formed track extending about two miles up the mountain. It is stated that some of the tallest trees, mainly rata and totara, have been taken out on each side of the track for a distance of probably 150 yards into the bush, and that the timber has been used for firewood and posts.