REMOVING FERNS from SCENIC RESERVE

Forest and Bird, Issue 136, 1 May 1960, Page 4

REMOVING FERNS from SCENIC RESERVE

The Kaituna Valley Scenic Reserve is maintained by the Canterbury Branch of our Society so that all may enjoy its plant and bird life. At the entrance to the reserve there is a large notice stating that no camping, no fires, and no shooting are allowed and that no trees, ferns, or other plants may be removed. Last January the Society’s ranger found a visitor in the reserve with a bundle of plants, mostly ferns, and a court action was instituted. The defendant, who was convicted and discharged, had apologised when the ranger mentioned the matter to her and did not seem, to realise that picking a few ferns and a plant was an offence. The Magistrate stated that if any further prosecutions of this kind came before the Court a deterrent fine would be imposed. The Society was most reluctant to take this matter to Court, but in spite of the notice board and of notices in the paper a certain number of visitors damage the reserve by removing or destroying plants. All members are urged to explain to intending visitors to this reserve (and indeed to any patch of bush) the importance of preserving what little of our bush still remains. If every visitor took a few ferns what desolation would soon be apparent!

In publishing the following notes from Miss Rucroft’s report on the Ruatoki camp, the Society records its appreciation of the kindness and helpfulness of the Maori people which did so much to make the camp a success.