FORESTRY COMMISSION

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144083, 30 April 1913, Page 7

FORESTRY COMMISSION

SITTING AT NEW PLYMOUTH

The Forestry Commission, consisting of Mr. H. D. M. Haszard (chairman), Dr. L. Cockayne, Messrs. T. W. Adams, P. Y. Lethbridge, S. J. Clarke and C. P. Murdock, took evidence at tho Town Hall, New Plymouth, to-day. Mr. Phillips Turner is acting as- secretary, and Mr- W. H. Russell is official reporter to the Commission. EVERETT ROAD RESERVE. Mr. W. A. Collis. New Plymouth representative on the Egmont National Park Board, referred to the reserve on tho Everett Road, which had boon visited by the Commission the previous day. Mr. Collis pointed out that this was one of tho few remaining areas of lowland forest, and they felt very strongly that tho reservation should not be lifted from it. They were desirous of preserving in this district some evidence or specimen of low land forest for the benefit of future generations, and it was probable that in a few years this would bo tho only surviving piece of this class of bush. Therefore they urged that reservation should not be lifted. Mr. R. C. Hughes, on behalf of a number of settlers who were opposed to tho reservation being lifted, supported Mr. Collis’ remarks. THE MOKAU. Mr. T. C. List, on behalf of the Expansion and Tourist League, brought under the notice of the Commission the matter of the preservation of river and mountain scenery in North' Taranaki. For some time past tho League had been urging upon tho Government the necessity for protecting and reserving what remains of the incomparable river scenery on tho river Mokau. Some of the best stretches had already boon destroyed, and more was now tlircntcn,ed with destruction. Tho former owners of one largo- block were, ho understood, willing to reserve without compensation the bush fronting the block on the side from the water’s edge to -the skyline, but for some reason that had vet to be explained tho Government’ of tho day did riot take prompt steps to proclaim tho land involved a scenic reserve. The block subsequently changed hands, and most of the hush was felled and the fire put through, so that where a short time ago some of the most beautiful bush in tho world adorned tho river bank, bush which probably took a decade to grow, and could not be replaced in less time, if ever, n as now a scene of desolation, a veritable eyesore to the visitor. One could propably understand this destruction did the frontage to the river be of any settlement value. But for the most part it had no such value. • It possessed no value other than scenic. It was to prevent more of the river s scenery sharing the same fate that the League was anxious' to enlist the support of the Commission. There were considerable areas still remaining that had been surveyed as scenic reserves, but which had not yet been gazetted and taken over by tho Government, ihere were also portions of bush scenery on Native lands that should be proclaimed. Again, there pas a fine piece of bush on a section, the lessee of w hicii v- as willing to hand over if tho Government would but pay for the necessary fencing. When approached by tho League on this matter recently, the Prime Minister expressed his entire sympathy with tho desires of tho League m this matter, but explained- that it was a question of finance involving a coat to the Government of £IO,OOO for compensation to owners. He submitted then and submitted now to the Commission that tho preservation of the bush for which compensation was being sought was absolutely necessary in the interests of tho settlers themselves. Once destrov tho bush and the I ants, especially soft banks like those, of the Mokau, would sooner or later fall into the river, cause continual erosion, impede tho flow of the water, and ultimately seriously effect, .if not absolutely block, the river as a means of communication, tho only means of ingress and egress it had to be noted the holders of most of tho sections had or ever would have to their properties. But apart from this important consideration, the price put upon tho laud required to preserve tho river scenery could, it appeared to those qualified to nuh'o, not be justified before a Compensation Court, and if the State had to pay compensation it could probably bo found to be a sum considerably less than that mentioned by the Prime Minister. In any case it was felt by the League and others interested in the preservation of the river scenery, that a strong effort should bo made by tho Government to secure for present and future generations what was left of tho beautiful scenery on tho Mokau, even if it did entail tho expenditure of a few thousands of pounds. The river would before very long bo as popular a tourist resort route as the Wanganui River was. Tho road connecting Totoro, at tho head of the river, with Te Kuiti was being improved, and with the opening no of settlement the upper reaches of the*Mokau would have to ho snaged and cleared to allow of vessels reaching Totoro. Tourists and holiday seekers would bo able to leave Te Kuiti, motor or coach to Totoro, and journey down tho Mokau to the township, thence coming on to New Plymouth. A prettier or pleasanter trip there n as not in New Zealand. The river scenery was, therefore, a valuable asset to tho country, and everything should be done to preserve it. H© trusted tli&t tli© Commission would be able to visit the river and sc© for itself tvhat had taken place, what was going on, and what was threatened, ancLhe felt sure they would have sufficient patriotism to recommend, without hesitation, tho Government to see that no more harm was done. The mistake was made years ago, before tho bushman’s axe and match began their work, when the whole of tho bnsli for a mile each side of the course of the river, with, of course, necessary outlets for settlers, should have been reserved, as in tho case of the Wanganui River in Mr. Ballance’s day. This might not have been easy, owing to the complicated state of ownership of most of the land affected, but it was worthy of more attention than it received, and posterity would have something very pertinent to say of our legislators. There was another-' matter to -which the league desired to direct the attention of the commission. It was to the maintaining of the Patna or Kaitake ranges as a scenic reserve. An effort was being made by interested parties to have the low-lying land on these ranges thrown open to settlement, the statement being made that at present the reserve was nothing else than a seedbed for noxious’ weeds. He trusted that the commission would not fall in with this view. To cut down the bush on this land would bo a scandal, and a calamity that would fall most heavily on the very people who were anxious to see it done. The bush-clad ranges and .mountain acted as nature’s reservoirs

for the whole of Taranaki. But for this provision the province would not be tho well-watered, fertile, oloselyscttlod and prosperous plane it was. The water, unrestrained by the moss, vegetable, undergrowth, shrubs and bushes would tear its way quickly to tho sea, carrying probably much good .land with it, and, in summer time, soon drying up and so depreciating tho stock-carrying capacity of tho land. As for the ranges harbouring weeds, it was difficult to see how this could be where tho undergrowth and bush generally were so thick and luxurious in growth. Once out away this bush and the weeds would bo given an opportunity to flourish that they did not possess at tho present moment. In conclusion, ho trusted that the commission would give the matters he had mentioned its earnest consideration, and take tho view of the local Expansion and Tourist Leagtic, which, as they could see, was animated by no interested or selfish motive, but only with the patriotic desire to have national assets of preeminent value and importance preserved for tho people of to-day,-their children and their children’s children. The Chairman asked if Mr. List was aware that land on the banks of the river had Changed hands at £G per acre.

Mr. List replied in the negative, and said this would probably apply to the flats, which had been cleared, and not to that land on the banks of tho river covered with hush. The Chairman said a committee of the commission had already visited tho Mokau and they had seen the country and recognised that a great deal of it was of a precipitous nature, but tho question was that when it came, to tho Compensation Court tho prices demanded would be found to have a very important bearing on tho subject. Ho added that in his opinion tho settlers would not get back in grass the value of tho money they had spent in cleaving a lot of tiie land, which wouid slip away when tiie trees began to rot.

In reply to other questions ns to what made the settlors fell the bush if the land was useless. -Mr. List said it was difficult to understand why it had been done. When lie was visiting the Mokau recently a contractor admitted to him that some or the land on the banks of the river would not carry a rabbit to the acre.

Mr. R. C. Hughes endorsed Mr. List’s remarks, deploring the fact that already some of the glorious scenery had been irretrievably lost. New Zealand stood foremost as a tourist resort and even if it did 1 cost the Government a little money to retain it, it should bo done.

Tho Chairman asked if there wore any gentlemen in Taranaki patriotic enough to subsidise any efforts in- preserving the busk. In certain other districts where the Government had boon ‘approaclfd tho people had done so.

Mr. R. C. Hughes said there were not many wealthy people.in Taranaki, but he believed if an appeal was made the public generally would respond to some' extent. Personally he was prepared tb back his opinion by a small contribution.

Mr. List referred to what had been and was still being done by the people of New Plymouth and district in connection with the upkeep of Pnkckliira Park and also in connection with tho mountain. He contended that they had done their share mid a little more than their share. In reference to the Mokau ho urged that it was not a local or oven a provincial matter, but a national one. It was tho most valuable asset New Zealand had from a river scenic point of view and should be treated as such. Tho Chairman remarked ! that the commissioners had been through Pukekura Park, and considered it one of the finest, if not the finest, to bo seen in the Dominion. It was a groat credit to the town.

Mr. Clarke: They are the finest I have seen.

several questions were asked in connection with the ranges, and it was pointed out that great difficulty was experienced in keeping them clear of stock. Settlers allowed their cattle to over-run tho unlenced portions of tho reserve, particularly during tho winter months.

Mr. G. H. Dullard, Comraissioher of Crown Lands, touched upon several points which had been brought forward by tho previous witnesses, and with reference to tho Mokau ho pointed out that personally ho considered that much of the land comprising the banks of tho river possessed no value for farming purposes, and ho also contended that it would be unwise, in the interests of navigation, to wholly denude the banks of tho forest. Settlers, of course, must bo given sufficient access along tho flat portions of tho river.

Mr. List concurred, and said tho league had no desire to interfere with the proper access of the settlors to their holdings.

TIMBER INDUSTRY,

Mr. C. AA r . Govett placed before tho commission the following evidence; — At tiie present time it seems impossible to build small houses suitable for artisans and working men except at a loss. 1 am of opinion that to build houses which will not pay at least 8 per cent, on the cost of the building and 5 per cent, on tho cost of the land may be philanthropic, but from a business point of view it is madness. I have endeavoured by moans of correspondence in the local papers and by interviews with builders and carpenters to endeavour to find out how the object 1 have in view can be attained, and 1 thought perhaps that something might be done by way of building hoiises to stock measurements, but 1 have bee,n always told that houses cannot bo built at the present time at a profit, owing to the price of timber, which is notoriously rising in value every year. Under these circumstances, ib seems te me that with a scarcity of New Zealand timber it is tho imperative duty of the Government for the time being of New Zealand to do everything in their power to encourage the importation of timber from every direction possible, and in order to do this to reduce or abolish altogether duties on imported timber. The present policy of endeavouring to stop the importation of foreign timber keeps up the price abnormally high and encourages the destruction of timber, some of which has not properly matured, and also the cuttjng of timber at probably unsuitable times of the year when the sap is rising instead of falling. I have no special knowledge about timber, but ray professional experience shows me that the houses which have been put up during the last few years will never last like the timber used in the bowses built, say, more than thirty years ago. I have had, for some 25 years, a good deal of experience with regard to planting and growing native trees, and am, at tho present time, chairman of the Pukekura Park Board, one of the main objects of which is to grow native trees in tho park. Though the young trees there are extremely well sheltered and have every advantage their slow growth shows that it would be quite hopeless ever to think of growing New Zealand trees for the sake of their timber, when there -are._so many -exotic trees.

which grow so much ouickcr and axe also so much hardier. I say nothing about the evil climatic effects which are following the denudation of the forests, and tho necessity of making large forest reserves (though I feel very strongly on this subject), as well as regards tho loss of beauty. In reply to the chairman, Mr. Govett said there was very little building done in New Plymouth with bricks or concrete. There had recently been, an importation of Oregon pine into New Plymouth, but nearly all the timber used was more or less local. Mr. J. Johnston, daily produce grader, was questioned as to tho suitability of different timbers for butter boxes, in view of a probable shortage of white pine in future. He said there had been experiments made in Wellington with pinus insignis and that they had turned out very well. Tawa had been used for butter casks, but it was not very satisfactory for this purpose. Jrle did not know anything about poplar. Asked whether if parchment paper was used for lining any timber could be used, Mr.-Johnston said probably this would be so if the parchment was of a really good quality. A lot of inferior paper was being used, however, and this absorbed the moisture in the timbers and in turn affected tho quality of tho butter. He had seen butter boxes made out of paper pulp, but bad had no experience of their use. In the interests of tho dairy industry it would bo advisable to prohibit the exportation of white pine, as the supply of this timber, he understood, was on tho short side. MANGONUI RESERVE. Mr. H. Obey, M.P., on behalf of settlers interested, urged that the Mangonui Reserve* should h© thrown op©n for settlement. Tin* settlers did not consider that ib was required for scenic )mi-pa r -Os. nncl he pointed out that the roads had to he maintained by the settlers, and if the reserve was settled it would be productive of n considerable sum in rates, thus lessening the. burden Huy bud to shoulder. Settlers had been desirous of giving evidence in support of their claims, but bad been unable to attend. Tiie Chairman stated that if the settlers would reduce their statements to writing and forward them to Wellington they would receive consideration.

AFTERNOON SESSION. When the commission resumed its sittings this afternoon Mr. C. Aider gave evidence. The only mill he knew of in this district was that owned by Mr. Symons on tho Upper Carrington Road turning out 80,000 to 100,000 feet per month and there was another mill on the Egmont Road that was not. ho thought, turning out much more than half that quantity. There was a lot of limber in Taranaki hut there wore no facilities in the way of railways for getting it out. When the railway was constructed to Opnnake there would be a large timber traffic. They were getting timber from the Main Trunk line, hut it was inferbr to that to’ be obtained in Taranaki. Taranaki rimu, for instance, was the best to bo found in Now Zealand. Ho could not get white pine in his yards under 11s 8d per 100 ft. Up to this year they had been (Supplying butter boxes at Is 3d each but this'year they would cost Is 4d. Ho noticed that in.tho South they were Is Sd. There was keen competition in New Plymouth and this had kept the price down. He attributed the increase to the fact that timber was becoming scarce. Referring to the paragraph which had appeared in the press with reference to the Egmont Box Company, he said, ho did not think there was fifty years’ supply, of any timber mi New Zealand. It was all nonsense. Oregon pine sold at £1 to 25s per 100 ft. From a timber merchant’s point of view he reckoned it was superior to that coming from tho Main Trunk, which was. young timber and full of sugar, and that was what tho worm lived on. On the other hand when Taranaki timber was dry there was very littlo chance of the worm getting ’into iti He did not attach liny importance to tho theory advanced that it was unwise to cut timber in certain periods of tho year. Ho bad no faith in the pinus insignis as a timber tree for building purposes. He attributed tho early decay of houses to tho fact that they wore painted too soon. If they iVcro left for two or three years so as to allow plenty of time for evaporation they would last a third of the time longer. If tho paint was kept off tho timber until it was thoroughly seasoned houses would last much longer. Mr. Clarke: Certain death to. the speculative builder. Mr. Ahier, .continuing, said ho made a point of seeing that every bit of timber leaving bis yards had been seasoning for two years. Tho trouble was that to-day birds were singing on tho trees, and three months later tho timber was in tile house.

Commissioners: That is so; it is happening every day. In reply to other questions Mr. Ahier said he did not favour Fowelised timber. Timber should dry naturally. It only meant merchants keeping a sufficient stock in their yards so that it could dry in tho natural way. Mr. Clarke: Do you consider it is a matter of importance that some scheme of tree-planting should be indulged in? Mr. Ahier said that as succeeding generations experienced a shortage of timber a suitable substitute would be provided. Personally he felt that tho time was not very far distant when houses throughout would bo constructed of reinforced concrete, even to the doors and joinery.

VISIT TO THE OIL AVORKS.

The commissioners, accompanied by Mr. H. Okey, M.P., subsequently visited the oil works at Motmoa. They leave to-morrow by the mail train for AA r ellington.