WANGANUI RIVER LANDS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 229, 29 September 1941, Page 7

WANGANUI RIVER LANDS

REAFFORESTATION PLAN MR. F. H. ALLEN’S VIEWS The following letter from Mr. Fred H. Allen deals with afforestation of Wanganui River lands: Sir, —I have read with interest your excellent leading article in “Afforestation in Germany” which appears in the “Chronicle” of the 18th. Inst., and which has a very important local aspect. Within a few miles of the city—even within the city boundaries—anyone can sec what effect the indiscriminate destruction of the native forests, in the basin of the Wanganui River, has had on the banks of the river. As a result of river encroachment, only recently, the City Council has had to purchase land in Upper Aramoho, divert the River Bank Road, and shift the tram line. On the opposite side ol the river, just above the Kaimatira Cliff, the river is eating into valuable river flats and, in the vicinity of the Dublin Street Bridge, the City Council has recently expended a large sum in protective work. These are a fewrecent instances, but there has been much expense, in recent years, on similar work. The record flood of 1904 was the highest known, within living memory, up to that date. The Centennial flood, in February. 1940, was at Pipiriki, four feet higher and Mr. Tom Takarangi, of Putiki, states it was nearly a foot higher on the Putiki flats. At any time we may have a still higher flood with quite possible disastrous results to the city. Now, sir, there are many thousands of acres of Crown and native land in the valley of the Wanganui River and its tributaries, below Pipiriki, to a large extent now lying idle. The major portion of this land is covered with manuka scrub and other second growth, gorse, blackberry, barberry, ragwort, and other noxious weeds. Almost the whole of this land is suitable for afforestation purposes and my suggestion is that it should be planted with exotics, such as pinus radiata (pinus insignru, Sequoia gigantia, and suitable eucalyptus, etc. This is a job for the State to undertake, but, if anything is to be done, it is a matter that should be taken up by the Tourist and Development League, and the Chamber of Commerce, with the backing of the people of Wanganui. In the not distant future our soldiers will be returning from overseas, and now is the time to get everything in training ready to make a start when that happy time arrives. The rapid growth of trees in the Wanganui Valley, due no doubt, to the humid climate, is remarkable. The Oamaru Scenic Reserve, just over the saddle at the top of the Gentle Annie hill, is an example. The first trees there were planted by the late Mr. T. W. Downes, Wanganui River Trust supervisor, on August 15, 1931—10 years ago. 1 have not measured any ot them, but will do so first opportunity and let you know the result. I believe I am safe in saying that some of these trees are well over 25 feet in height. This Amaru Reserve is only about 10 miles distant from the Wanganui Post Office and anyone interested can inspect the trees with little difficulty, and check up on my figures. The hill face is very steep, almost a cliff, but the growth of the trees is astounding, and if trees will grow there they will grow anywhere on the river lands. Timber is getting scarce; only a few days ago an advertisement ap-1 peared in the “Chronicle” wanting to buy poplar or willow trees, which, I am informed, was required for boxing. Recently, too, large numbers of poplar

trees from the Long Acre have been milled. Pinus Radiata logs have been carted to town from many miles above Mangamahu. At Ohue. Mr. Edward Cripps’ farm, on the Wanganui River, I am told that the pine trees are to be milled, and these trees cannot be more than 35 years old at the most. Just picture what the future possibilities are: —In 30 to 40 years from the time of planting, these trees would be ready for milling, and would create a large and permanent industry in Wanganui's hinterland, all the benefits of which would come to Wanganui. Most of the logs could be dragged, or trimmed, direct to the river and rafted to the city (the cheapest freight in the world) while there would be large mills required at Aramoho or Eastown to deal with the timber. In the interior, while the trees were maturing, thinning would be necessary, and these “thinnings" could be used for the maufacture of paper, and kindred products. The paper mills at Whakatane have pine plantations on Matakana Island close to Tauranga and the thinnings from these forests have been used for the making of paper for some years. The advantages to the town and district would be:— (1) Checking of erosion. (2) Establishing a valuable industry. (3) Providing useful and congenial labour for returned soldiers. (4) Beautifying unsightly flats or hills at present covered with gorse and other noxious weed. (5) Preventling the spread of noxious weeds, which are an increasing menance to the district.—l am, etc.. P.S.—Since writing the above I have read the report in the “Chronicle” of the 19th. inst. of Mr. Nowell Izard’s views on the same subject, with which I entirely agree. F.H.R.