A SCHOOL OF FORESTRY

Wanganui Chronicle, 7 May 1948, Page 4

A SCHOOL OF FORESTRY

j 'HE University of New Zealand has received a report from Mr. S. M. Wadham, Professor of Agriculture at the University of Melbourne, which expresses the view that a School of Forestry should be established at Auckland University College, with a field department at Rotorua, the course to be a graduate one. It would be interesting 1o know whether Professor Wadham made a complete survey of New Zealand before making his recommendation. Forestry is an activity which is required in New Zealand for more than the production of timber. Further experience may show that the establishing <>f plantations of exotics does not answer New Zealand’s pressing soil control problems. These problems include the fixation of the sand dune country of the west coastal strip, the anchoring of hill country that is being used for grazing; the covering of the watershed to prevent flood and soil erosion; the re-establishing of the bush in areas where plantations are not practicable. None of these problems arc present in the Rotorua district where soil conditions are singular to the area. Further, why have a forestry college in a large eity with a field area some two hundred miles distant ■when in Wanganui a college could be established which would be convenient to the student body, congenial to the faculty, with all the varied conditions under which it is necessary to deal with the growing of trees of all kinds close at hand It would possibly be loading the willing horse too much to ask that the Hon. Mr. Rogers take this matter up. but unless he does there is small chance that anyone else will give voice to Wanganui’s claims to have such an institution established here.