TOTARA FOREST

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 44, 28 January 1944, Page 5

TOTARA FOREST

SUPPLIES AT TE WHAITI

CONSERVING AN ASSET

With a view to establishing a reserve! of some 600 acres, in the magnificent totara forest at Te Whaiti, the Whakatane , Cbunty Council has decided to press for the creation of a reserve which would conserve the supply of posts for the Whakatane district and at t'he same time ensure a permanent stand of native forest.

Writing the council under ther same head, Messrs C. O. and N. Bennett stated that it Avas understood that tlie council Avas taking some action in regard to prices of fencing timber in the Whakatane district. Such action Avas considered" a Avise move as there did seem to be some eminent of profiteering. For instance on 30th Noa-ember 1943 writers' sliaremil'ker purchased three Bxß Matai strainers from a local timber merchant at 19/- each. This Avas considered an exorbitant ; eharge even for a substantial strainer, and an 8 x 8 is, by on means substantial. They Avould be pleased to do anything to assist in the. matter. Cr McCready said he Avas only* interested in preventing a repeti-« tion o£ the commercial racket of thee past Avhen thousands of posts were shipped away to Gisborne and the: Whakatane district as practically denuded of totara. "The Gisborne peoples need was probably as great, if not greater than ours," said Gr Smith, ''and if tliey Avere prepared to pay for its transport aAvay from this locality then it Avas our oavii fault for not getting in first, Avhcn it grew so handy. It AA T as only a matter of fair competition." Gr Luxton said lie. supported Gr McCready's contention tliat the farmers in the Whakatane County should be given first refusal to the totara timber groAvn in their own district. It Avas not fair to see. it all go outside. The chairman observed that having secured the reserve, the council could next take up the matter of giving district farmers preference in the matter of posts.