REQUEST REFUSED

Taranaki Daily News, 16 October 1935, Page 6

REQUEST REFUSED

RESERVE NOT TO BE DEVELOPED.

KOHURATAHI DOMAIN POSITION.

“This particular reserve has considerable scenic value, and the clearing of even a small part cannot be allowed. It will not be possible to grant the request to have the area constituted as a public domain with a view to felling and clearing about four or five acres for sports purposes.” In these terms Sir Alfred Ransom, Minister of Lands, wrote declining a request made by the chairman of the Whangamomona County Council, Cr. G. Gower and other settlers that an area of 30 acres of bush at the junction of the Kohuratahi and Whitianga Roads be reserved for the purpose of a public domain.

The Minister pointed out that it was the custom in the district to hold a sports gathering once a year in one of the settler’s paddocks. There appeared to be no Crown lands available that would be suitable for recreation and unless arrangements could be made for the gift of a small area by one of the settlers it was difficult to see what could be done to provide a domain in the locality. Cr. Gower, one of those chiefly interested in the matter, said he had had communications concerning the reserve from the Lands and Survey Department at Wellington, but the wrong idea seemed to prevail. The object of the Kohuratahi Domain Board was not to destroy but to preserve and beautify. Along the sides of the main stream was a long strip about four chains deep and that consisted only of scrub and rubbish. ■That part of the reserve was more of an eyesore than an attraction, and it was there that clearing and grassing was proposed. He was sure that under the jurisdiction of a local board a. great improvement could be effected with no loss to the bush or destruction of the natural beauties. There was also the matter of another creek that flowed under the road and into the reserve. This creek had no outlet, with the result that stormwater and floods tended to lie stagnant on the lower land. The board proposed to cut a drain and carry off this water which undoubtedly at present tended to effect the dry standing timber. Cr. Gower, said he thought that if these proposals were pointed out to a departmental officer a very different reply will be received. The settlers did not propose to destroy good bush, but they did propose to devote much energy to developing the reserve. For instance, they contemplated a swimming pool at the waterfall, and tennis courts had been thought of on a nearby level stretch. With these improvements in view the board had in mind the planting of other suitable trees and shrubs.

The chairman suggested that an effort should be made to interest the Commissioner of rown Lands at New Plymouth in the project. Cr. J. D. Law: I know this reserve well. In its present condition it is merely a piece of land in the rough, but I am sure it can be made one of the finest beauty spots in the county. Cr. Gower said the men who were to constitute the domain board were all men of standing and old settlers whose object would be to conserve the bush and preserve the asset. After further discussion it was left to Cr. Gower in conjunction with the clerk, Mr. F. G. Catchpole, to frame a letter to the commissioner outlining the board’s proposals and seeking to have the Minister’s decision reconsidered.