OUR VANISHING FORESTS.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18904, 20 January 1927, Page 11

OUR VANISHING FORESTS.

10 THS EDITOR OF THE PRESS. Sir, —I have found much pleasure in reading the references iu the newspapers about tho need for greater interest in the preservation of our very beautiful native bush, but it is not enough to write a.nd speak of the need for greater efforts to save the bushthat has been going on for tho past 30 years. Travellers by the coaches between Nelson and Blenheim, especially visitors to our shores, took this coach journey for the- sake of seeing tho glorious forest scenery in the Kai Valley. Where is it now? An old coach driver could point out the stumps of the giant totaras, onco tho glory ol this once famous road.

I have heard many times, from friends who used to travel to Auckland by rail and coach, of the wonderful sight and the great beauty of the coach drive through the bush about Ohakmie. Of the great and beautiful rimu forests between Hawera and Inglewood, not a patch remains near the main road. 'Jrue, a small patch .4 miles inland was rescued through the timely warning of Mr Bakewell, who lived nearbv.

lime was when a great forest stretched from "Wellington to Wanganui; then, what old settler in the Wairarapa cannot tell, of the once famous 40 mile bush and of the 70 mile bush between the Manawatu Gorge and on towards Napier? Then what remains of the giant forest of the Hntt Valley? Our illustrated weeklies are never tired, have never been tired, ot Eieturing the beauties of our native ush, but not a word, o r real effort, to preserve it for those coming after us. How much remains of the very wonderful beech forests near the Longwood Range in Southland, of tho pretty bush on the main road into Dunedin, of the very beautiful drive through the rimu forest between Ohakune and Raetihi, one of the most beautiful sights I have ever looked upon? Where are the great forest trees which once fringed the shores of Mahinapua Lake and Creek? Years ago, I think in 1903, I made an effort to get the lovely forests, through which the main road to Kaikoura passes, saved, and I have a letter from the lato Hon. Dr. Robert McNah, in which he wrote that the great beauty of tho drive so impressed him that he felt that no efforts should bo spared to save it while there was a chance. How much remains of this beautiful bush? The late Sir Arthur Guiness drove a party, of which I made one, up. to Point Elizabeth. We passed through on the way some remarkably beautiful rimu forest. I begged then that it might be saved—it is gone. So are the 70 acres of white pine 1 got set aside at Toka Toka in order that future generations might look upon tho grandeur of giant white pines. I have written of tho past thoughtless acts of wholesale distruction i{\ the earnest hope that while tho chance is with us the Government will save for the people of New Zealand and for tho pleasure and delight of' those who journey to our shores, the beautiful forest reserves on the South Wcstland Main road, fringing the shores of Lakes lanthe, Mapourika, and Waihopa. This road is one of the most wonderful and beautiful sights in the world. It is not sufficient to set aside reserves away hack from the main road beyond the_ sight of travellers. Nature has richly endowed the West Coast, but strip it of its glorious vegetation and its present loveliness will vanish as the beauties of our native forest have vanished for over from so many other parts of New Zealand. South AVestland is the last great stretch of native forest we possess. Reserves of 20 chains wide by the roadside will preserve the great beauty of the South'AVestland road from Ross southwards, and I beg of those in authority to act befdre it is too, lato. No plantation of native trees can ever restore the sentiment of beauty we feel and ; so much enjoy on passing through prime coal forest.The Arnold River runs along the edge of 6CO acres of an education reserve. I tried to get 10 chains wide declared a scenic reserve so as to preserve this very beautiful sight. I am told it was not done.

The preservation of the wonderful loveliness of the native forest scenery of Southland is of importance to all the people of New Zealand—but especially to the people of Canterbury—so T hope, Sir, that your pen will help.— Yours, 'etc., H. G. ELL. Ohristchurch, January 18th.