POLITICAL NOTES

Timaru Herald, Volume XCIV, Issue 14523, 19 August 1911, Page 5

POLITICAL NOTES

NEW. ZEALAND S SAND DUNES. (From Our Special Correspondent.) I WELLINGTON, Aug. 18. Dr CocScayjift has earned out on behalf on the Government an investigation of the mind dunes throughout New Zealand, and his roport, which •runs ito 70 foolscap pages with many illustrations, has been presented to Parliament. It deals with the Ecology and botany of the dunes, and n«stbod«> of reclamation. Wo possess, according to Df Cockayne, more than 3UO,UUU acres of sand, the greater part of which is not only worthless, but a constant, menace to the surrounding fertile land. This great tract could bo rendered harmless, and in a large measure improved. He suggest* that dune reclamation should be regarded as a wont for tlie State. The inost that privjto individuals can do is to make their holding secure for tho time being. The Government should proceed 'rith great caution, but .should an experiment ho made in afforestation or other methods of reclaiming tho dunes. Dr Cockayne would recommend for the pou-poso the dunes near Levin, or tnoae near Woodhill, Auckland. HEREDITARY TITLES. The Hereditary Title* Prevention Bill, introduced by Mr Newman, was circulated last night. The operative clause is as follows:—" It is hereby declared that dignitios and titles of honour granted or created after the passing of this Act shall riot be doemod in New Zealand to be incorporeal hereditaments, and that the issue of any person resident in New Zealand upon whom any dignity or title of honour shall hereafter be conferred Bhall in New Zealand have no other rank or privilege than he would have had if such dignity or title of honour had not been so conferred."