SCENERY PRESERVATION.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13250, 23 August 1906, Page 7

SCENERY PRESERVATION.

; GOOD .WORK REPORTED. * ' NEW PLYMOUTH SUGGESTIONS. A general meeting of the Taranaki Scenery Preservation Society was held at the Town Hall, on Wednesday evening. Mr W. H. Skinner (President) occupied the chair, and there were also present: — 'Messrs C. W. Govetit, W. L. Newntan, R. C. Hughes, E. Dockrill (Mayor), G. W.^ Browne, W. A. Collis (secretary), F. Garrington, C. Cartel- and Dr.. Whitton. THE SOCIETY'S WORK. The President said the Royal ComImission appointed to deal with scenery preservation throughout the colony had to a great extent relieved ,the Society of its functions. The Commission had dealt very liberally with Taranaki in their (recommendations, many 'places of scenic and historic interest having been suggested as reserves. The Taranaki Society, through their executive, had done useful service in pointing 1 out spots, ->and the Commissioners ~ had done their w o rk really well. Mr /3. Percy Smith, the President of the Commission, had informed him that they 'had been completely swamped with requests and that to comply with all of them would take /something like half a million of money. Some of the Taranaki recommendations had hecn carried out. A reserve had been declared at Ratapihipihi, which inoludied 50 acres of fine virgin bush near Mr Munro's residence," and on' which was rimu, white and red pine, etc. iT'ofcaraimaka Pa had been pra-ctioally dealt with, also Point Rotofciari on the Barrett road near Mr Honeyfield's A splendid piece of bush at Onaero River, on the Heft hand side, had 'been reserved, and a historic spot known as-ITuruturu-Mokai Pa. near Bawera. Lv the case of lands held by, the EDigh School Board it seemed that the '•'Scenery Preservation Act" diH not give power to take reserves vested as endowments and for specific purposes, temd tWe Commission 'had to move, by means ' of the Public Service Act, ,_& cumbersome and tedious proceeding It, was likely that an Act would be put"" rtihroug-h this session, facilitating the taking of such lands where required. It was "pleasing to hear that the tHiglh School Board and the School Commissioners had met .the Commission in a very fair atnsd liberal spirit. (Applause). A lot of the; reserves declared would no& serve <tih!eir purpose until they were fenced! off to stop the depredations of stock. Amongst the scenic and historic reserves fenced off 'by the Society against 'damage by stock was the recreation reserve Ona^ro) on the old North 1 . Road. (When he visited the site same' time ago there were evidences of deliberate vandalism. The graves erf Raw-, iri Waiau a afnd! 'others in the Bell 'district, on the Corbett Roiad, had been fenced off, and the paths and fences 'at Paritutu had foenn; attended! to out of ordinary revenue. The Whakarewa Pa, near Stony River— the scene of one of Sir George Grey's charming legends in "Polynesian- Mythology"— frlso had been securely fenced 1 -by the natives, who refused any 'monetary assistance whatever from the Society. ' Other pas, in adidition, had been fenced off, and the Maoris w<ere

encouraged to assist .

Generally the

latter provided the laJbour <amd the Society donaJted the fencing. ' material. 'Arrangements had 'been made foe fencing off the graves of Maoris killed at No. 3 redoubt, Huirangi, «and at Mahoetahi, during, the war of I'B6O. At these two < places there were altogether about 100 natives 'buried, in two iidgh graves, each "quite umprottected from 'desecration. Mr Skinner wentti on to advocate tree-platn'tatng along the sea-front of the railway reserve from Belt Road to the Waitapu •buidal ground (Misßion) at Moturoa. This semi-plantation had been let by the Railway Department for grazing purposes, and the fine growth of native trees— taupatu principally'— 'that had begun to show up through the lupins, was now in a fair way to be destroyed. The President concluded by paying a warm tribute to Mr F. Carrington, honorary ranger' to the National Park Board, for his excellent work 1 of a similar nature on the Society's behalf. 1 TniTXT a xTi-mmo

FINANCES.

fl}he> treasurer (>Mr Collis) reported that for 1903-44 he had collected £5, but the following year only three subscriptions came to hand, two years' from Mr Bockrill and one from Mr Govett. Including' the £35 received from the Government, which was, however, earmarked for certain sites, the present credit balance was £51 1/6. The last expenditure was 13/1 for work at Marsiand Hill, where the trees planted were -beginning to make a nice 'back groumd, and £2 5/6 spent on re-miakdn^ the paths at Pai'i^ntu, The report was- adopted. A NEGLECTED RESEEME. Mr E. C. Hughes thought that Pukerangiora, one of the most 'beautiful sites in the (district, was not sufficiently protected from the infaads of cattle. The Chairman said! this had been recommended by (the Commission for reservation as an historic site. The Society .was not in a* position at present to -undertake the work. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Mr W. H. 'Skinner was unable to again accept the position of President. Reference was made to Ms admirable work 'during his eight years as President, and 'as an octave member .of -the Society ever since its inception. 'An appreciative resolution was placeld on ike minutes, on the motion o! Mr

Mr W. A. Oollis was elected President, 'having served the Society since 1893, in the capacity of hon. secretary and treasurer. Messrs 'E. Simpson 1 (Commissioner of Crown Lands), and C. W. Govett were elected Vice-Firesidents; and the fallowing 1 were appointed Comraitteemem E. Dockiill, W. H. Skinner, ~F. Carring'ton, W. L. Newman and C. Carter. MA4RSLAND HILL. Mr Hughes ' expressed pleasure at noting that the trees on M'arsland Hill were flourishing so nicely. He thought a little more attention might be given to the paths, and suggested that Mr> O'Brien would allow the prisoners 'to do the world The Chairman said the prisoners attended to the reserve, which accounted for it looting 1 so well. If the matter of paths were mentioned to Mr O'Brien, who took a great interest in the site, he was sure whatever was necessary would be done. It was mentioned by Mr Collis that out of the proceeds of the East End bathing shed sale, a couple of seats would be . provided for ''M'arsland Hill. ADVERTISING BEAUTY §FOTS. Mr Collis suggested that near the railway station a board should be erected enumerating the resorts, such as the "Rec," Western Park, Marsland Hill, Paritutu, Esplanade, and giving general directions! 'as to their locality. The suggestion was referred to the comanittec. BfPBO'VING THE ESPIiAfNiA-DE. -Mr Hughes supported the Chairman's remarks with reference to thie railway reserve along the beach. He thought something could foe •done to improve the paths, etc., and suggested that efforts be made to extend the promenade to Moturoa. - • Mr Oovtett said .that as *he late Commission had achieved . the main object- of the Society, it seemed to nun their duties were now those of a vigilance committee.. They should be on the alert to recommend to the Government anything that was in 1 the direction of safeguarding •imd fostering the natural attractions of the town •and, district." ' He supported Mr Hughes' s suggestion, and said there were several things in which the Society might assist. This suggestion was referred to the Committee. ...

At a meeting of the. Committtee, Mr C. Garter was, elected secretary and treasurer. Messrs Collis land (Newaniaul were deputed , t ( o infcfuiire the cost, o/l erecting a n<otice boa^d for visitors, as suggested 'by the former.