MOVEMENT TO SAVE VALUABLE FOREST.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19108, 28 June 1930, Page 2

MOVEMENT TO SAVE VALUABLE FOREST.

Per Press Association.

WELLINGTON. June 27. Sore concern is felt at the possible disappearance of the fine forest at Puketitiri. in the Hawke's Bay district, and efforts are to be made to secure a sufficient sum by public subscriptions to secure an area large enough lor reservation purposes. The question arose in the report of the New Zealand Forestry League at the annual meeting to-night, at which Mi James Deans presided over a gathering of about thirty, including of* ficers of the Forest Service. The annua] report expressed gratification at the reduction of goats on Mount Egmont, and that it had been made illegal to allow domesticated goats to enter the park. It* also expressed appreciation of the efforts which had succeeded in eliminating goats and sheep from Kapiti Island and for what,had been done in planting suitable trees to provide food for birds. The agitation to save the Puketitiri forest had been heartily supported. Tho forest was purchased by the State Forest Service as a business venture, although the director of the service had agreed to release it on repayment of tha amount expended on it No way of raising the money had yet been found, but efforts were being made to induce the public to subscribe a sufficient sum to secure an area worthy of reserving. Some 60 acres had been let for mi!:ing and unless something more was done there was a grave danger of this valuable forest being destroyed.