THE AHU AHU BUSH

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 77, 1 April 1938, Page 6

THE AHU AHU BUSH

Retired Miller Preservation fl m:ts and figures quoted JoJNTRY WILL BE AFFECTED

I Ir. defence of the preservation of bush in the Waitotara County a statement was made to the "Chronicle” last evening by a retired miller. Rights of cutting the bush have been purchased by Mr J. E. Vickers, ol Waverley, from Mr C. Brownlie. The "Chronicle’s" informant, for various reasons, desires to remain anonymous, and his name accordingly has been withheld.

"In my time I have owned a number of mills and cut some fine forest," said the miller. ‘My conscience has been troubled, for I now realise how much this bush would mean to the country, if it were intact.

"There are various points to be considered in regard to the milling of the bush in the Waitotara County. In the J first place it will be detrimental to the Waitotara County Council’s and will cost them thousands of> pounds. The road is a fourth or fifth A grade one, and certainly not fit for ( log cartage. I presume that the timber will be taken 45 miles to Mr Vickers' mill, as it would be too expensive to mill on the site of the bush.” The retired miller stated that it would be possible for the County Council to take steps to redress themselves for the damage done to their roads. He quoted an instance in which a similar position had been met in the King Country. "Between Moukouiti and Waimiha a milling company was carting timber over 18 miles ol a road similar to the one in the Waitotara County,” ne said. "The County Council realised what would happen to their roads, and aceordingly stipulated that for every load of timber taken out two yards of metal had to bo put on the road. I idvise the Waitotara County Council to protect its own interests and th, interests of settlers living clown 41 th: Ahu Ahu Road,” he said, k Cmmcnting on the suggested inac- B cessibility of the bush the miller ■ printed out that three times a week tie cream lorry ran to within mles ot the Wanganui River down Ahu,.

“As a man acquainted with scenic beauty in all parts of New Zealand I would impress on the people of Wanganui the immense value of the Ahu Ahu bush,” he said. "This stand of forest could be regarded as an oasis in the midst of a wilderness.

"In the absence of an estimate of the quantity of timber in the stand it is difficult to assume the footage contained therein. The area is 180 acres, and the ridges are covered by scrub. In the light of this I woulu estimate that it would average 4000 superficial feet per acre, or in al. 7,200,000 ft. log measurement. Allowing 25 per cent, for wastage this would give 5,400,000 superficial feet. A null would cut 8000 ft. per day, or 2,208,000 superficial feet ot timber in a year. In view of this the time taken to entirely mill the bush would be ap-

proximately two and a-half years, in face of ten years as stated by Mr Vickers." The retired miller said that the wages paid over this period should not exceed 110,000, as compared with J £lOO,OOO estimated by Mr Vickers." ■ The "Chronicle’s" informant staled 1 that the Auckland City Council had realised the value of adjacent bush, and all forest within 20 or 30 miles ot the city had been made reserves. Partly as the result o( generous donations from public-spirited citizens land had been purchased for preservation purposes. One of the most progressive steps in this direction was the formation of the scenic road from Titirangi to Waitakere. "The action of the Auckland City Council could well be emulated by other local bodies," said the miller.