Some Highlights in the Society’s History

Forest and Bird, Issue 147, 1 February 1963, Page 15

Some Highlights in the Society’s History

On the evening of 28 March, 1923, a small group of prominent citizens met in the Dominion Farmers’ Institute, Wellington, for the purpose of forming a society “to cooperate with the New Zealand Forestry League with the object of advocating and obtaining unity of control in all matters affecting wildlife.” As a result of that meeting the Native Bird Protection Society was founded, and the following officers were elected: President, Sir Thomas Mackenzie, M.L.C.; Vice-presi-dents, Sir George Fenwick, J.P., J. P. Firth, C.M.G., and H. Guthrie-Smith; Committee, R. Douglas McLean, H. F. Von Haast, and A. H. Messenger : Hon. Secretary, Capt. E. V. Sanderson (See pages 16 and 17.)

On 23 March this year the Society will have completed 40 years of uninterrupted service to the community. During that period seven distinguished presidents have directed the affairs of the Society. Their photographs and short biographies appear elsewhere.

As the years passed the membership increased steadily but the nominal membership fees charged were found to be insufficient to carry on the activities envisaged by the founders. In 1930 it was, therefore, decided by the Executive to approach the Minister of Internal Affairs and obtain permission to conduct a national art union. Approval was granted and “The Lucky Bird” was launched first Kiwiand it proved to be a “Golden” one, for the Society received net profits amounting to over £13,500, which in terms of a trust deed approved by Department of Internal Affairs was placed in a permanent trust fund with the Public Trustee as administrator. This placed the finances on a sound basis and in earlier years enabled the Society to carry on

its work successfully. It is still a valuable asset although its value has naturally lessened with ever mounting inflation and the resultant increase in costs. In 1930 the Society was honoured by the acceptance by the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, of the office of first Patron, since when succeeding Governors-General and their ladies have accepted the office of joint Patrons. The Society at first conducted its business from an office in Grey Street which it shared with Eric Lawson. Then it rented an officce in the Maritime Building, and premises were successively occupied in Bowen House, and in the Union Bank , Chambers, Featherston Street, until finally permanent offices in the Evening Post Building were leased. In September 1929, in face of strong opposition from the acclimatisation societies, the Society took up the question of the deer and opossum menace and after a Dominionwide press campaign a conference of all interests concerned was held in Christchurch in May 1930, when . “open war” on deer, chamois, and thar was proclaimed. It has continued ever since. It was during the antideer campaign that the Society raised the alarm regarding the damage to our native forests. The opossum then was a protected animal. Today it is classed as “public enemy No. 1”. In this campaign the Society received the active support of kindred bodies and the New. Zealand Press.

Tn 1934 the name of the Society was changed to “The Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand”, as it was considered a more appropriate designation, seeing “that we cannot have native birds without native

forests and native forests without native birds.”

The Society in 1947 backed the efforts of Professor W. R. McGregor of Auckland University College to prevent a continuation of the kauri logging in Waipoua Kauri Forest that had been started as a war measure. The Waipoua Preservation Society, Auckland, the Whangarei Progressive Association, and the Whangarei Native Forest and Bird Protection Society also actively supported the movement. The battle continued fiercely over a number of years, until in July 1962, 22,500 acres, which included the bulk of the forested area, was declared a kauri forest sanctuary.

One of the finest enactments ever placed on the statute books of this country was the National Parks Act of 1952. This Act has the purpose of preserving in perpetuity, as national parks for the benefit and enjoyment of the people, scenery of such distinctive quality or natural features so beautiful or unique that their preservation is in the national interest. In Lakes Manapouri and Te Anau those purposes have their highest expression, and it was inevitable that the Forest, and Bird Protection Society should be deeply concerned when in 1959 it suspected that the Government appeared to be considering selling the power potential of the lakes to an industrial concern. Our fears were only too well founded, and the Government did in fact trade to an industrial organisation the right to destroy for ever the natural beauty of the lovely islands and shores of the lakes by submerging them under the water. Our Society was left with no possible alternative but to oppose by all lawful and proper means, including a public petition, this threat of desecration of a national-park area of tremendous importance to ourselves and to all who follow in our footsteps. Our efforts to secure some amelioration of the threat to the lakes still continues (see the editorial in this issue).

Almost from the Society’s inception it was recognised that a connecting link with members was necessary, and with the object of providing this link, a bulletin was issued—first in the form of cyclostyled sheets, then as a printed letter and finally in magazine lorm entitled Birds, which was changed in March, 1933, to Forest and Bird.

In order to familiarise the public and members with our beautiful native birds the Society decided to publish two volumes containing pictures of birds in their natural colours. The first volume, Forest-inhabiting Birds, has now reached three editions, and the second volume, Sea and Shore Birds, is in its second edition. A further volume, Opencountry and Wetland Birds, is in course of preparation.

As the mighty oak springs from the tiny acorn so our Society has grown from the handful of enthusiasts who met in Wellington on that memorable evening of 28 March 1923, to just on 10,000, and with the cooperation of these members it is hoped to increase the number well beyond that figure before the anniversary year closes.

With the distribution of membership over the whole of New Zealand it was decided to foster local interest by establishing branches and sections where the numbers warranted such action. Today we have 20 branches and sections operating and doing valuable work by holding instructive outings, talks, etc. In 1946 Canterbury Branch was constituted, followed by Auckland in 1947; Dunedin in 1952; Wellington and Waikato in 1954; Tauranga in 1955 ; Wanganui, Taranaki, HastingsHavelock North and Napier in 1956; Whakatane in 1957; Timaru, Rotorua, Manawatu, Northland and Nelson in 1958; Southern Hawke’s Bay in 1960; Southland and Wairoa in 1961, and Rangitikei in 1962.

In 1949 school groups were inaugurated to cater for the children at school, but, owing, no doubt, to the frequency of transfer of teachers, the strength of this innovation has not been maintained. It is hoped that branches and sections will endeavour to contact teachers with" a view to forming new groups and reviving interest in the scheme. It must be recognised that the members of tomorrow are the children of today and that by inculcating in the children, a love for our native birds and forests we are most likely to retain their interest in after years.

A feature of the Society’s activities is the summer-camp movement. The first camp was held at Waikaremoana in 1953 and proved so successful that camps have been organised regularly ever since. Those for 1963 were held at Kaikoura and Kaikohe in January and proved a great success.

The Society has always been active in advocating the preservation of bush areas, the setting aside of bird sanctuaries, and the creation of national parks. It has acquired by gift the following bush properties: Ngaheretuku, Clevedon, presented by Mr. H. Alexander; Vogel’s Bush, Te Mahia, presented by Mr. J. E. F. Vogel; McPherson’s Bush at Turakina, presented by Mr. Alexander McPherson; Pryce’s Rahui Bush, at Kakariki, presented by Mr. E. O. Pryce; Blowhard Bush, Hawke’s Bay, presented by Mr. and Mrs. J. N. Lowry; and Bushy Park, Kai Iwi, presented by Mr. G. F. Moore. A property was recently acquired by purchase at Onetangi, Waiheke Island. Altogether, the Society now owns some 640 acres of excellent bush for preservation in perpetuity. The Society has given evidence before many select committees considering nature conservation and has made representations to have appropriate laws enacted or amended. Friendly relationships and close cooperation with Government departments have been maintained through the years. We have representatives on several official bodies, such as the National Parks Authority and the Loder Cup Committee.

EARLY SOCIETY BULLETINS

After appeals over the years for copies of the first bulletins published by the Society we have at last obtained, through the generosity of Mrs. W. M. Fraser, Whangarei, a complete set of 1 the bulletins issued prior to Bulletin No. 6, the first Bulletin printed in magazine form entitled Birds.

Actually there were six of them—not five as was originally thought—three cyclostyled issues, foolscap size, and three printed quarto letters covering articles reprinted from the daily press. The whole series has been microfilmed by the courtesy of the Alexander Turnbull Library and will be bound so as to be permanently preserved in the Society’s archives.

We are deeply grateful to Mrs. Fraser, who found the Bulletins among the records of the Society preserved by her late husband Mr. W. M. Fraser, who was a foundation member of the Society and a Vice-President from August 1927 to the time of his death in 1960. Our thanks are also due to the Turnbull Library for making the micro-film of the Bulletins.

IN RETROSPECT, 1923-63

Often in the maturity of our lives we have wished that such altruistic organisations as this had been established earlier when our own young carefree careers might have been befittingly influenced. Many of us who then spent a large , portion of our leisure in the forests little knew the wonderful privilege we enjoyed by the close communion we had with the marvellous bird life of those days, six to seven decades ago. During the season each year we thoughtlessly shot as many birds as we could, quite irrespective of any higher motive than to brag of our record tallies. I can recollect a middleaged member of the party with which I was associated who had a record of, having “bagged” no less than 27 pigeons one day, and nearly that on many other occasions. What would some of us now give to restore the lovely creatures we wantonly destroyed? We did this not because were , were unduly vicious but owing to a downright ignorance of which we were the victims. But enough of this.

Forty years ago Captain Sanderson launched the Society, and all honour to him for his foresight and public spirit. It was my privilege to be the first member, for which I hold receipt “No. 1.” At the initial meeting we had the fine guidance of Sir Thomas Mackenzie, himself a close student and real lover of nature. It is with pleasure that I am able to look back on the fact that I had the privilege of introducing to Captain Sanderson a recent arrival from England, Miss Daff, an artist of undiscovered merit. This lady was trying to make a living by painting lampshades for a few shillings each. To his credit and vision our founder quickly recognised that her faithful reproductions of our unique and highly coloured birds could focus public attention on the need for their immediate and absolute protection. So it was from models and from nature that Miss Daff became famous for some fifty or more magnificent paintings for reproduction which ensured the great success that has followed the Society’s growth and work for four decades. To be able to claim a growth in membership in that period from zero to 10,000 members (including juniors) is indeed a record which those who have helped to achieve it have every reason to be proud.—

Brief Biographies of the Presidents

HON. SIR THOMAS MACKENZIE, G.C.M.G., LL.D. (Edin.), F.R.G.S. Born Edinburgh 1854. Educated Otago public schools. M.P.: Clutha 1887-96, Waihemo 1900-02; Waikouaiti 1902-08; Taieri 1908-11; Egmont 1911-12, resigned. Minister of Industries and Commerce 1908 and later of Agriculture, Tourist and Health Resorts. Prime Minister 1912. Defeated and accepted High Commissionership London 1912-20. K.C.M.G. 1916; promoted G.C.M.G. 1920. Grand Officer of the Crown of Belgium. Mayor Roslyn 1902-05. Member Otago Education Board; Chairman Otago High School Board. Member Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, of Benevolent Trustees, and of a number of other bodies. Member of Royal Commission on Education 1901, and at various times of other commissions. Explored much of Fiordland and adjacent areas; 1886, Tautuku Forest; 1888, Milford Te Anau, Manapouri, Hall’s Arm, West Coast; associated with . Quinton McKinnon when he discovered McKinnon’s Pass; 189496 Manapouri, Dusky Sound: 1907 Te Anau, Wakatipu. In 1896 reported to the Government on the geology, fauna, and flora of the Manapouri - Dusky Sound area. F.R.G.S. 1898. Foundation member Forest and Bird Protection Society. First President 192330. Died 14 February, 1930. LEONARD COCKAYNE, C.M.G., D.Sc., F.R.S. Honorary Botanist State Forest Service and City of Wellington. Born Derbyshire 1855. Arrived in New Zealand from Australia 1881. Conducted private experimental station 1887-1903. Devoted all his time to research on flora and vegetation of New Zealand and exploring botanically most parts of the country, including Chatham Islands and sub-antarctic islands. Was awarded many honours by overseas scientific societies, including honorary membership of many of . them. Member of Royal Commission on Forestry 1913 and of other commissions and boards. ' C.M.G. conferred 1930. Degree of D.Sc.

conferred by New Zealand University 1932. Author and joint author of several books on New Zealand plants and of many papers and reports on scientific aspects of New Zealand flora. President Forest and Bird Protection Society from 15 May, 1930 to his death on 3 December, 1931.

SIR ROBERT A. ANDERSON, C.M.G. Born Queenstown 1886. Was managing director of J. G. Ward and Co. Ltd., Invercargill. Chairman High School Board of Governors ; member Southland Power Board; Chairman Bluff Harbour Board; member Local Bodies Loan Board and a director of a number of prominent New Zealand companies. In 1930 the C.M.G. was conferred on him and in 1934 he was knighted. Elected President of the Society on 14 April, 1932; relinquished office on 26 April, 1933. Died at Invercargill on 14 October, 1942. CAPTAIN ERNEST V. SANDERSON. Born in Dunedin in 1866. Enlisted as a trooper for service in the South African War; promoted to lieutenant; mentioned in dispatches. Served for 12 months in World War I (Gallipoli) ; invalided. It was due to Capt. Sanderson’s efforts that steps were taken by the Government to have the Maori-owned portion of Kapiti Island fenced to keep out cattle and sheep, and on the appointment of a new caretaker effective steps were taken to eliminate the.wild goats. It was only then that Kapiti commenced to return to its primitive state and was saved as a bird and forest sanctuary. Immediately following his campaign for the preservation of Kapiti he founded the N.Z. Native Bird Protection Society, the name of which was later changed to Forest and Bird Protection Society. From its foundation to 26 April, 1933, served as Honorary Secretary, when, on the death of Sir Robert Anderson, he was elected President. In later years he devoted the whole of his time to the Society. Over the

years he contributed many articles to the press on nature subjects. He proved at his home at Paekakariki that native trees could be grown on a sand dune and the beautiful native tree plantation that he established is today a monument to his efforts. Died 29 December, 1945. B. C. ASTON, C.8.E., F.R.1.C., F.R.S.N.Z. Born 1871, Kent. Chief Chemist, Department of Agriculture for 33 years. Prominent in much of the earlier research work on the cause of bush sickness, on the mineral content of pastures and soils, on the chemistry-of certain native plants, and on the pakihi lands of Westland. Published many papers on agricultural chemistry and also on New Zealand botany and on cultivation of native plants. Member Tongariro National Park Board 1926-34. National Art Gallery and Dominion Museum Board 1930. President of the Royal Society of New Zealand. C. conferred in 1948. President of Forest and Bird Protection Society from 29 April, 1946, to 13 April, 1948. Died 1951.

ARTHUR P. HARPER, C.8.E., 8.A., F.R.G.S.

Born Christchurch, 1865. Educated Christ’s College, Canterbury; Christchurch, Oxford, where he took B.A. degree. Called to Bar Inner Temple 1888. Barrister and Solicitor New Zealand 1896. Spent three years exploring Southern Alps. Author of Pioneering Work in Alps of New Zealand, 1896. Secretary and Organiser New Zealand Welfare League 1919. Was a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. The honour of C.B.E. was conferred on him in 1952. Elected President of the Society on 13 April, 1948, and remained in office until his death in Wellington on 30 May, 1955.

R. C. NELSON Mr. Nelson, the present holder of the office of President, was elected in 1955 on the death of Mr. A. P. Harper. He has been interested in the New Zealand bush and its preservation since the early years of this century.