FOREST UNDESIRABLES.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1807, 21 July 1913, Page 5

FOREST UNDESIRABLES.

CATTLE AND GOATS. t ' *'Afc the present time," states tho Forte try Commissioners in their report, "tho existing and proposed climatic reserves are, in many places, tho haunts of Humorous deor, wild cattle, or goats. Wo will leave tho two latter classes of animals out of consideration for tho present, sinoe 110 one could claim that their presence within tho forest® was beneficial, and consider the door alone. Should it bo a.fact that the presence of deer in great numbers is detrimental to tlie undergrowth of the forest, then it is clear that steps should bo taken to cither do away with them altogether or to restrict them to defined areas where they can do "Jib minimum amount of damage. "In- order to ascertain what part tho deor. played in the economy of the upland forests, on tho one hand, and what value they were to the community from, the sporting aspect, on the other hand, ,w© examined such witnesses in every centre as seemed likely t to afford information of moment. Especially did we seek to pot a clear expression of opinion from thb side of tho sportsman, and, with this end in view, took evidence from tlie chairman and secretary of various acclimatisation societies; and, talcing that evidence alone, wo fail to see that deer are not harmful in a forest, or that, the monetary gain to . the country can in any way counterbalance the they must eventually do clin/itic reserves. "Talcing tho evidence of tlie non-sports-taan, and considering the damage dono by deer not only to the forests, but also to tho plantations, orchards, and crops, ottr opinion as to their harmfulness is much strengthened. We therefore adviso 1 J fj. "insures be taken to restrict deer to limited areas, sufficient for sport, which may be proclaimed deer parks, /where they can do the smallest possible damage. , . "Tho ( undergrowth {of forest is of especial importance in preventing evaporation from tho ground surface, and thus assisting in. conserving the water supply. This_ function is recognised the world over, but in a New Zealand forest, where the undergrowth is usually very dense, its cliima/tio effect reaches a maximum. Any factor, therefore, shtould be vigorously repiressed which may lead to damage to such ■undergrowth. Deer, both red and fallow; cattle, tame or wild;'and goats are of especial moment in this regard. So far as deer are concerned, these animals year by year (ire extending their range, so tha,t the time is not far distant when, unless stringent measures are adopted, tho whole of tho Southern Alps in the South Island and the dividing rango in the North Island will be overrun.