Taranaki Branch

Forest and Bird, Issue 139, 1 February 1961, Page 5

Taranaki Branch

At the New Plymouth Horticultural Society’s Spring Show a representative Taranaki forest scene was set up depicting a waterfall surrounded by forest greenery, a kowhai in full blossom, a 10 ft. kauri, and a wealth of native plants (in tubs and pots and balled), including ferns and other growth of the forest floor. At intervals bird songs were played from records, and on the screen (seen in the photo) slides of forest and field were shown. A large number of people were attracted by the recordings of bird songs, and many heard for the first time the songs, calls, and cries of these and other native birds: kea, kaka, takahe, weka, native pigeon, tui, morepork, and grey warbler. Much public interest was shown in the exhibit, which provided excellent publicity for the Society.

Trips organised for children have been very well attended: indeed, far more attended than

were expected—over 250 in all. Over 100 children attended a guided tour of the museum, and over 150 were present at an afternoon field trip. On the whole the children were most interested in wfliat they saw. Further trips are being planned.