FORESTRY.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17155, 26 May 1921, Page 6

FORESTRY.

THE PROPOSED SCHOOL. CANTERBURY'S CLAIMS. In the City Council Chamber last nifht, a conference, convened by tho Canterbury Progress League, was held for tho purpose of considering the desirability of further steps being taken to ensure the establishment of the School of Forestry at Canterbury College. Amongst the bodies represented we're the Christehurch City Council, the Domains Board, Chamber of Commerce, Industrial Association, Selwyn Plantations Board, Progress League, Lytteltoii Harbour Board, Board of Governors of Canterbury College, Forestry League (Canterbury branch). The attendance numbered over 50. Mr A. G. Henderson, president of the Progress League, presided. The chairman welcomed those present, and referred to the previous conference on the subject, at which it was decided that a deputation should go to Wellington to further the project. Ho explained why it was thought desirable not to send a deputation; in the meantime, he said, it had been ascertained that the whole of the Dominion,, • with tho exception of the province of Auckland, was in favour of the establishment of the School of Forestry in Canterbury. The object of .the present conference was. to report to the representatives and to receive from them instructions as to future action. Eeferring to the reported statement made by tho chairman of a body that had been invited to attend the conference, that "the League was forcing the pacej," he said that it was perhaps, the first occasion in the past thirty or forty years that any public, or semi-publie, body m Canterbury, had been accused of "forcing tho pace." (Laughter.) He explained that there was no idea on the part of the League to forcd the pace, and said that under its constitution the League could not move In any matter unless it was asked to do so by one of the bodies affiliated to it. He stated that apologies had been received from tho Hon. Sir Heaton Rhodes, Messrs G. Witty, L. M. Isitt, and D. Jones, M.P.'s, and H. D. Acland, chairman of the Board of Governors of Canterbury College. Tho Mayor (T>r. H. T. J. Thacker, M.P.), who had to leave early, owing to another engagement, spoke briefly, and said that any support he could give as Mayor, or as member for Christchurch East, he would be glad to give. Afforestation, he believed, was as important as hydroreleetricity—if they got all the electricity they needed they would require timber. In Scandinavia and in Germany it was the law that when one tree was cut down, one was to be planted; there should be similar provision in New Zealand. . The meeting decided to take in committee the ' report of the League's organiser, Mr P. R. Climie. respecting what had been done by the League since 1 the previous conference. On resuming, the chairman reported that, after consideration of the question in committee, the meeting had decided to leave the matter in the hands of the League. Mj 11. Nairn addressed the meeting on the subject of the forestry reserves in the Dominion. He displayed two maps, one of the North Island, and the other of the South Island, showing these areas. He said that no language ■that could be used in support of Canterbury as the district in , which the Sohool of Forestry should be established, could bo so eloquent as these maps. There was verv little land in the North Island set apart for afforestation, whereas large areas of Crown lands had been set aside in the South. In' the •North Island, if tlhey .desired to.go in for afforestation, they would have very limited areas of Crown lands'available, hud would have to repurchase lands for the purpose. As to the argument that Auckland should bo the locality where the school should be established becauso it is tlie home of tho kauri, he pointed out that it would be at least 150 years before kauri would be,fit for milling. In the South Island returns could be got in 60 or CO years if Oregon pine and Nor-' way spruco were planted. Sir Francis Bell was impressed with the fact that of necessity Canterbury had. gone in for tree planting! more than any other district in.the Dominion, and .gone in for a greater variety of trees, • and planted them under all conditions. • This meant that they had the facts at hand in Canterbury, and the scholars attending the School of Forestry could be 'shown what trees will do well. ' Mr James IJeans spoke regarding the . Forestry League, and said that the Campaign would bo Btarted.next month, Public addresses would be given wfoh the object of galvanising public opinion on the subject. Mr Will Lawson, tho Forestry League's organiser, had started in the South Island. The Forestry. •League was going to be an important factor, .g,nd he hoped that it would not* be long before Canterbury College would be in a position to provide tine necessary instruction in scientific forestry. • Ho urged" that tho' question of the establishment of the school should be 'brought to a head! it had- been in abeyance long enough.

FABMERS' jDinON'S ATTITUDE. When the Progress League's letter explaining the. objects of last, night's forestry conference and inviting the executive to be represented came before the meeting of the North .Canterbury executive of the New Zealand Formers' Union yesterday afternoon, the ohairman, Mr W. A. Banks, said that ho thought tho League was being a little too precipitate, and was forcing matters a little too far. Canterbury; he thought, had a very fair chance of becoming the home of forestry, and .in ail probability a Lectureship; in Forestry would be instituted at Canterbury College. Auckland was anxious for the School of Forestry, and to go further now would only be giving Auckland an opening to take measures to combat what they were doing in Canterbury, and to undo what good had already been done. Mr Banks did not consider it would he politio to try to force the ihand of the Government now.' '

M* D. Jones. M.P., said that the Canterbury members of Parliament were doing their best .to look after Canterbury's interests, , v • • Mr Banks: Yes! I' think the matter is in very good hands. I move that we just receive this letter. The motion was carried,