RIVER SCENERY PRESERVATION.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9397, 25 March 1898, Page 2

RIVER SCENERY PRESERVATION.

A QCESriON of considerable importance to Wanganui was introduced at the meeting of the Chamber of Commerce on Monday evening. It was stated that the River Trust Board hi>d no control over the lands held by tho natives, and the fear was expressed that some of the finest scenery on tho banks of the Wanganui River might be destioyed. Tho area inferred to is the frontage to tho river of the Ohctu Block. We may mention that by the passing of tho Wanganui River Trust Act of 1891 the River Trust Board was granted a reserve, a milo iv width, on all lands acquired by the Government on both banks of the river from Raonkia upwaids, as also a resolve of 10,000 acies in the Waimaimo Block. The River Trust Board is empowered by tho Act to do all things necessary for Iho oponing up or improving of tho navigation of that part of the river within its jurisdiction (from Raoiikia upwards) ; to regulate the use of jetties, landing places, or ferries ; to impoae tolls; to take the necessary steps to preset va the natural scenery ; and to prevent the removal of anything forming part of the landscape. The Government, howovor, has not powor to interfere with the rights conferred upon tho natives by the Treaty of Waitangi, or over any piivate land-., b'U, as boon as the Govornment acquhes any fresh lands tho Governor may declaie such to bo subject to the jurisdiction of tho Trust Board. Tho Government has purchased land from Pipiriki to a dibtanco of 70 miles abovo that place, and, with the exception of a fow native reserves and ono or two small blocks, the River Trust Board controls one milo of the lands on either side of tho river throughout the whole of that distance. What is wanted now is, that the wise provision made and the good work dono by the late Mr Ballauco should be continued, and the Government asked to tako steps to reserve tho river frontages between Ohura and Raorikia. The Ohotu Block of 88,000 acres is included in those boundaries, and it is just possible if the land in question is vested in the Public Trustee, as is proposed, it will be leased to private individuals who will denude it of all bush. We have previously pointed out how necessary it is to conserve our bush lands for climatic purposes, and this fact, added to the desirability of preserving the scenery, should satisfy the River Trust Board that no opportunity should be lost of urging on the Government to pass a proclamation for the purposes indicated. There are other large blocks of land still further up-river which will probably fall into the hands of the Government, and those will of course be disposed of subject to the provisions of the Wanganui River Trust Act, but an Order-iu-Councilisnow required dealing specially with such lands as are not yet acquired by the Government. The preservation of the natural scenery on the banks of tho Wanganui River is of the most vital importance, as the attiactions of the river, as a tourist routs, largely depend thereon and it would bo the most suicidal policy to allow the beautiful bush along the river bonks to be

obliterated. Such an act of vandalism would destroy the be&uty oJ thd liver roUte tor eVer and be evidence that the people of Wanganui had neglected to preserve an attraction of inestimable value. '