TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18163, 27 April 1921, Page 10

TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK.

A PROTEST. (To the Editor.) Sir, —In your leading 'Article of the 21st inst. you publish particulars ofc the National Sports Club, received from Mr John Cullen, of

Auckland. I, on behalf of the Ruapehu Ski Club, wish to bring the following under the notice of the general public and more especially those gentlemen who have joined, or are about to join the new Club. First I and many others understood that the Tongariro National Park is an area set aside for the preservation of the native fauna and flaura, in which this beautiful park abounds. One of the objects of the new club is the propagation of heather and bilberry on suitable areas? This area, I feel sure, will be the whole of the Tongariro National Park and surrounding country in a matter of time. I, Sir, have specially noticed the progress the heather has made during the short time it has been sown. At the present time it is in patches over many thousands of • acres. I have it on good authority that heather will outstrip manuka scrub, so what chance has the mountain da'isy and many other delicate plants got against such an intruder? There are also numerous other trees and shrubs planted, such as flowering cherry, hawthome, rowan and lupins etc. Why not plant suitable areas with commercial timbers that in time to come will prove an asset to the country, not a liability, which would be the case if these imported shrubs take charge and have to be kept on certain areas. Secondly, it is proposed to import and liberate in the Park grouse, black cock, and ptarmigan from the British Isles, and chukor, seesee and blaok partridges from India- How is this

game going to thrive in New Zealand? is going to prevent them spreading throughout the forests in the vicinity with disastrous results to the native birds? It is mentioned that part of the Club’s duties is the preservation of the natural features of the surrounding country and the native birds and flaura. How can this object be achieved with the introduction of the aforementioned shrubs and game? Further, is a public park a flt and proper place for the shooting of game? I strongly urge the formation of a Tongariro National Park Board, with representatives of the Maoris and all local bodies surrounding the Park. Then, if imported shrubs and game are going to be considered, the people of New Zealand should have a say. It appears as if one or two individuals have had a free hand in this direction in the past, which I trust will be put a stop to before too much damage is done. There is no denying the fact that some have Lad a free hand. For instance, how did those trout get in lake Roto-Ira, which the Government promised the Natives would not be stocked, in order to preserve the wonderful flsh | known to the Maoris as Ko-Ara? I trust some more able pen than mine will take this matter up before it is too late and a great injury done to the people of New Zealand. Thanking you for this valuable space I am, etc, W. SALT, Vice-President Ruapehu Ski Club.