‘A Small Triumph’

Press, Volume C, Issue 29498, 27 April 1961, Page 16

‘A Small Triumph’

(New Zealand Press Association)

DUNEDIN, April 26. “Undoubtedly, a small triumph.” was the description Dr. G. P. Fitzgerald, chairman of the Forest and Bird Protection Society, gave the varied agreement to protect the scenic beauty of Lakes Manapouri and Te Anau, which was announced by the Minister of Works (Mr Goosman) yesterday. Dr. Fitzgerald said his society, the New Zealand Scenery Preservation Society and other organisations had been continuously active to have some such safeguards. “The reported scheme in February. 1960, was to raise Manapouri 100 ft and Te Anau 15ft,” he said. “This would have meant destroying for all time the native bush, islands, beaches and valleys, the magnificent 800-year-old native trees at Stockyard cove—in fact, the finest half-day trip and walk in the world today. “The whole scheme was too appalling to contemplate. “Today we have had to go

cap in hand to this aluminium company to request it to desist from utterly spoiling our two southern lakes. “The situation is degrading and a very difficult one for the present Government to be forced to accept. “Fortunately, Mr D. J. Hibberd. a director of the company. has agreed to further clauses in the National Parks Act, of 1952. whereby as much of the scenic beauty as exists today will be preserved. “We are grateful for this last-minute partial reprieve and also grateful that details of the amount of bush to be felled and the maximum lake levels have been defined. "We are happy also that the Fiordland National Park Board members will have, at long last, some say in the question of scenic preservation of their domain.

“We are still hopeful that Lake Manapouri will ultimately not be raised above its upper flood limit,” Dr. Fitzgerald said.