PLANTING OF HARDWOOD TREES

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23962, 1 June 1943, Page 3

PLANTING OF HARDWOOD TREES

AKAROA COUNCILLORS TO SEEK SUITABLE LOCALITY A suggestion made by the Canterbury Progress League that a plantation or plantations of hardwood timber trees should be established on Banks Peninsula, under the supervision of the Forestry Department, was favourably considered by the Akaroa County Council at a recent meeting. The league had suggested that Peninsula local bodies could contribute towards the cost of the scheme. The county chairman (Mr Joseph Hayward) said that although he did not think the plantations should be established during war time, he favoured the proposal as the timber would be most useful. The ironbark and eucalyptus trees would become a valuable asset; it was a matter of finding the money and a suitable locality for growing the trees. He did not favour planting gorse-infested areas where the trees had to be kept clear of growth, and where there was always the danger of fire. The plantations would also have to have good road access, he said. Cr. Sir Bruce Stewart spoke of the great scarcity on Banks Peninsula at the present time of good posts for fencing purposes. He considered the proposal an important one, and suggested that members look round the district for a suitable locality to grow the trees, and the whole matter could be discussed at the next meeting of the council. The council adopted the suggestion. The council decided to give the Progress League more financial support this year. It was decided to make a grant of £ls for the present year arid to make a payment of £lO for last year.