SOIL EROSION DANGERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 29, 4 February 1939, Page 6

SOIL EROSION DANGERS

HORTICULTURISTS CONFER. HIGHEST HONOUR 'AWARDED. I Per Press Association.] NEW PLYMOUTH, Feb. 2. The dangers of soil erosion were emphasised to-day at a conference of the New Zealand Institute of Horticulture which carried a remit: "That this institute gives its most vigorous support to any campaign designed to check soil erosion, especially that caused by the removal gt forest and other natural ground cohering." It is one ' of the most important questions which faces New Zealand, said Mr. J. C. McDowall, of New Plymouth. New Zealand flora developed through the ages because it was almost completely free from the ravages of browsing animals, but now goats and other imported animals are doing enormous damage. He appealed to the conference to support the Government in its efforts, because unless something was done soon, soil erosion would be the ruination of a large part of land in the North Island. Information concerning the large areas of land devastated around Napier through the recent severe flooding was given by Mr. C. W. Corner, of Hawke’s Bay. Between Napier and Wairoa more than a third of the country had been ruined byslips, he said, and the Esk Valley was in an almost similar state. “The conference decided to advise the Government that the institute thoroughly approved of the steps it was taking. The New Zealand Institute of Horticulture to-day bestowed upon John Scott Thomson F.L.S.F.C.S.,

honorary botanist of the Otago museum, the highest honour it is able to grant to New Zealand horticulturists and naturalists when it elected him an honorary fellow of the institute, the only election for 1939. The conference also elected as honorary overseas member of the institute Profesosr Carl J. F. Scottsberg, director of botanical gardens, Gothenburg, Sweden and a recent visitor to New Zealand. Mr. J. S. Thomson deli/ered lhe hanks lecture in 19.35 and gained the Loder Cup Award in 1936. He has written many publications and has at present several in progress and has done extensive research work. The Cockayne Gold Medal offered annually for the best student in the diploma examination of the institute was awarded to Mr. F. J. E. Jollie, New Plymouth.