AFFORESTATION INTERESTS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 86, Issue 7, 30 June 1944, Page 5

AFFORESTATION INTERESTS

VISITORS FROM MASTERTON

TOUR OF PLANTATIONS

An interested group to Whakatane earlier in the week were representatives of the Masterton County Council who were investigating the methods employed by the Whakatane Paper Mills in reafforestation. They were headed by Mr R. E. Gordon-Lee, chairman, and comprised Messrs J. W. Colquhoun, O. L. Sykes, J. Donald and Mr B. L. Lar.sen, County OverseerThe party was entertained by Mr G. H. Mac'kley, managing director, and were accompanied by Professor H. H. Corbin, in an advisory capacity. Mr Lee, in an interview with a BEACON representative explained that his Council had been left a legacy of £20,000, the interest from which was to go entirely to the work of tree planting. It was with this end in view that the party sought to gain some practical knowledge by a tour of the plantations in the Whakatane area. They had been deeply impressed with the Matahina blocks and the larger plantations on the Kaingaroa Plains. It. was their intention, to discover the best types of revenue producing tress which could be applied in a utility manner to the farming industry. Therefore they would be inspecting the nurseries and taking stock of the progressive growth of the various types of trees grown in the South Auckland plantations. Referring to the flood damage, Mr Lee said that his party had been astonished at the extent, of the inundation. The wreck at Galatea was almost unbelievable, and as practical farmers themselves they had the utmost sympathy for the victims. He added that they were deeply indebted to the management of the Paper Mills for their practical interest and invaluable advice, and made particular reference to tlie courtesy and assistance of Mr Mackley,