PLANTING OF TREES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 272, 17 November 1945, Page 4

PLANTING OF TREES

ADVOCATED FOR WANGANUI COUNTY RESERVES

ASSETS FOR THE FUTURE With the object of recommending areas suitable for the planting ot trees, as part of a general afforestation scheme in the Wanganui County, councilors have been asked to make an inspection of their individual ridings and report back to the council at some future date. This step was decided on at the monthly meeting yesterday, after the advantages ol such a scheme had been stressed. The county clerk, Mr. S. L. Orr, said he was impressed with the grow th ot trees in the county plantation at Kaiwhaiki, where the council had a real asset. When the trees were large enough to be milled they would be within easy reach of Wanganui. He believed that if other reserves in the county were planted much good would be ach.eved. "There are many odd corners in the county, old metal pits, and such like, that are really an eye-sore, but could be planted with trees,” said the chairman, Cr. A. H. Collins. These trees would be an asset to the council and I would suggest that councillors have a look round their ridings and report back in two or three months' time. The trees would not cost much and we could plant a few here and there as we go along.” Stating that he was very keen on afforestation, and that it could be made worth while, the county engineer, Mr. R. R. Dawson, said trees in the Kaiwhaiki plantation cost no more than £4O or £6O to plant, but, to-day a fair valuation of that area would be £lOOO. There were several places in the country that could be planted to advantage, one ot them being an old gravel pit on the Makirikiri Road. This reserve consisted of a few acres of land covered with gorse, but if planted with trees would be of more benefit to the county.

"I agree, of course, that any trees planted would have to be within a reasonable rad'us of Wanganui from the commercial joint of view,” the engineer added. Councillors agreed to the suggestion that they should report back on areas in their ridings suitable for afforestation.