Unlawful Felling of Manuka Trees

Waikato Independent, Volume XLIV, Issue 6102, 15 September 1947, Page 5

Unlawful Felling of Manuka Trees

ON KARAPIRO RESERVE MATAMATA COUNTY’S ACTION That at one of the two points towards the southern end of the lake some unauthorised persons had been felling white manuka trees and removing them for firewood —to the detriment of the scheme for a lake catering for holiday campers was reported at last week’s meeting of the Matamata Council when the Karapiro Lake reserve was being discussed.

There was advocacy for urging on the Government the need to conserve the land along the lake until such time as there was agreement as to control and development.

“If nothing is done,” said one councillor, “there will soon be seed beds for noxious weeds. Blackberry and gorse are already to be seen sprouting on the areas burned off last year. The State Forest Service would probably co-operate in planting native trees at selected points and protected by faster-growing shelter belts.”

The chairman, Mr E. D . White said there need be little' expenditure for the preliminary work of planting trees and fencing. It was understood that all land on the eastern side between the lake edge and the main highway was to be acquired by the Government. Long strips of the reserved part, where access to the water would not be easy, could be leased to the original owners with the object of keeping the land grazed and therefore free of weeds. The council decided to call the attention of the Public Works Department to the damage being done .by cutting the large manuka for, firewood.

The council decided to be represented at the conference of local bodies in Hamilton on September 23 when further consideration will - be given to the subject of adminstrative control.