ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AT HASTINGS

Forest and Bird, Issue 153, 1 August 1964, Page 12

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AT HASTINGS

Congratulations to the Hastings-Have-lock North Section on the excellence of the arrangements made by its Committee for the Society’s Annual General Meeting held at Hastings over Queen’s Birthday Weekend. Everything went without a hitch and the comfort of those attending left nothing to be desired. There was an excellent attendance.

The National Council of the Society met on the Friday evening and again all Saturday afternoon, during which a full agenda covering matters of importance to the Society’s work was dealt with. The Executive reported that the purchase of the 1360acre Tautuku bush had been completed, and the Council decided to purchase an additional 111 acres adjoining. Development of this fine reserve will be in the hands of the Southland and Otago members. It was also decided to add to the Reserves Maintenance Endowment Fund the sum of £5,000 from special funds. The object of this fund is to ensure that the Society can honour its obligation to make provision for the maintenance of its bush reserves in perpetuity, and to be certain of this a good deal more will need to be added to the fund.

The Annual General Meeting was officially opened by His Worship the Mayor of Hastings, Mr. R. C. Giorgi, who welcomed delegates on behalf of the people and the city of Hastings. Mr. Dun,can Mclntyre, d. 5.0., 0.b.e., e.d., Member for Hastings, then addressed the meeting. He stressed the importance of conservation of our natural resources and in particular the protection

of the forests and birds. He paid tribute to Mr. Lowry’s gift to the Society of the Blowhard Bush, and also referred to the setting aside of the Kiwi Bush Reserve at Te Pohue. Reports on the activities of the Society during the year were presented by the Executive members, including finance., progress of the Select Committee of the House of Representatives (which is hearing submissions on the noxious-animals problem), national camps, and other matters. Rule 9 was amended to permit a branch or section to appoint a qualified member to deputise for its representative on the Council should the representative be unable to attend a meeting. Alarm was expressed at the apparently mounting toll of kiwis taken in opossum traps, a matter difficult to deal with but obviously needing attention. The following motion, mover the Rev. C. J. Callaghan, was adopted unanimously: “That this General Meeting of the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Societv of New Zealand expresses its grave concern at the very inadequate provision of scenic reserves in Hawke’s Bay and strongly urges the setting aside of further substantial areas as reserves.” This resolution will be placed before the Minister of Lands, who will no doubt give it his earnest attention.

On the Sunday members journeyed out to the Blowhard Bush, where they met the Conservator of Forests for the Wellington District, Mr. Wells, who explained how it was possible for his Service and the Society to collaborate in providing a reserve which would be appreciated as the years go on. His remarks were welcomed by the gathering, and the President thanked Mr. Wells for his interest and good will, especially for giving up part of the Queen’s Birthday holiday weekend in order to attend. The Blowhard Bush is a unique reserve, with its native trees, fluted rock formations, and filmy ferns. It is surrounded by badly eroded pumice country which it will be the duty of the Forest Service to develop for protection and timber production. There will be close cooperation between the Service and the Society. At the Council meeting a new member was appointed to the Council and subsequently to the New Zealand Executive. He was Mr. Rolland O’Regan. /'Biographical notes on next page)