CUTTING OF LIVE TIMBER

Taranaki Daily News, 11 September 1934, Page 9

CUTTING OF LIVE TIMBER

EGMONT RESERVE INCIDENT ACTION WITHOUT AUTHORITY. EXPLANATION BY MR. ANDERSON EXTENT OF THE OPERATIONS. The growing trees that have been cut on the east side of Mt. Egmont were two totaras and one rimu that were situated on the railwa. reserve that leads up to the quarry -above the end of York Road, Waipuku, said Mr. T. R. Anderson, of the East Committee of the Egmont National Park Board, to a News reporter yesterday. They were removed without the authority of the East Committee of the board, he added, and the committee intended to prosecute inquiries. Those three trees were the only live ones felled, Mr. Anderson said when he was referred to allegations that the cutting of green timber had been extensive Seven or eight years ago, he added, the board adopted a policy of cutting out dead timber in order to minimise fire risk, and the committee had proceeded in accordance with that policy. Such of it as was suitable for firewood had been used in that direction, and a royalty was payable to the board. The ownership of the railway reserve was doubtful, but it was presumed that it was under the control of the board, and as there was a certain amount of dead timber which was a danger to the, surrounding bush owing to the possibility, of fire, the committee had been clearing the area. “Somebody felled the three live trees, and the committee is trying to find the person or persons responsible,” Mr. Anderson said. The whole question of cutting timber in the reserve was inquired into by the board at a meeting on Friday. The meeting was held in committee and released the following motion to the Press at its conclusion:—“That having heard the report of the committee set up at the last meeting of the board, also the explanation of the president (Mr. J. C. Robins) and the secretory (Mr. G. A. Carter) of the East Committee of the board, the board resolves that all cutting of timber, either dead or alive, other than that required as firewood for the hostels, cease; that the East Committee finalise its operations for getting timber forthwith and present as soon as possible a complete report and accounts of its dealings in timber transactions; finally, that the East Committee, on completion of the removal of firewood, be requested to fence the York Road entrance. MR. L. 0. HOOKER PROTESTS MOUNTAIN CLUBS’ VIEWPOINT. VISIT PAID TO AREA AFFECTED. Criticism of the alleged ’ "wholesale devastation” of bush on the eastern slopes of the reserve was made to a News reporter at Hawera yesterday by Mr. L. O. Hooker, as convener of the reserves committee of the Federated Mountain Clubs of New Zealand. Mr. Hooker produced for inspection photographs taken on Friday on, a track into the reserve from the top of York Road, Midhirst, which revealed stumps of large trees. Mr. Hooker made it plain that any criticism on Iris part was made not from him as a member of any local organisation connected with Mt. Egmont but from his official position as convener of the mountain clubs’ reserves committee.

For some time there had been complaints of serious inroads into the timber reserve, but he had been rather sceptical until last week, when he .visited the scene of operations, said Mr. Hooker. “To a lover of- native' bush the sight of so much fallen ‘live’ timber, to be used for firewood or split for posts and slabs, was a painful one,” he continued, “particularly because of the fact that Egmont is a national park and a national trust to be preserved for the people for all time.”

What he saw and recorded with a camera fully substantiated the complaints made, he said. The scene of operations was in the vicinity of the Public Works metal quarry, reached by York Road from Midhirst to the edge of the forest reserve, and thence by a fairly well formed track extending for a distance of about two miles. For perhaps 150 yards into the bush on each side of the track some of the tallest trees, principally rata and totara, had been taken out. Once this natural protection was removed, said Mr. Hooker, the life of the undergrowth was endangered. Mr. Hooker produced a number of photographs showing the extent of the timber cutting operations. One photograph showed quantities of posts and slabs cut and awaiting removal on the York Road track. There were six men engaged in the bush on the occasion of Mr. Hooker’s visit, and in the course of conversation one man said he had been there for some months and hoped to remain for a considerable time longer. “It was heart-rending to see these fine trees destroyed,” said Mr. Hooker. The whole thing was most painful to one who loves the native bush as much as I do. Of course, it is possible that there is some special provision of the law that permits the removal of timber, but in my opinion it is high time some step? are taken to prevent further destruction.”