FOREST DAMAGE

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 94, 17 October 1940, Page 12

FOREST DAMAGE

IN CATCHMENT AREAS

A report by the chairman of tha Wellington Acclimatisation Society (Mr. D. J. Gibbs) to its meeting last night on damage to the bush at the head of the Akatarawa Valley stated that on a visit a road was found leading from the Saddle to a logrhauler, round which k large area had been cleared, and the hauling had torn up quite a number of trees by the roots. There was the danger of fire, loss, of native birds, the spoiling. of a scenic reserve, and damage to catchment areas. At a road junction there was a notice asking the public to preserve the bush. The only course he could suggest was that the City Council and the surrounding bodies should take over the land and make it a sanctuary for all time. Both sides of the road should be taken. The Government was despoiling a sanctuary at Paraparaumu, where large rata trees were being cut up to make charcoal. Though there was a notice at the gate warning the public against damaging the bush; apparently the Government was able to do as it wished

Interesting details of the Akatarawa forest ownership of 18,000 acres were given by Mr. A. J. Seed, who is agent for owners living in England. The land was bought in 1908 for 10s 6dan. acre, and the owners had spent £160 000 to road and mill it, and had taken £3 an acre off it by milling. The owners had paid rates and taxes on.it since 1915, and would be glad to have the property self-supporting to the extent that they would not have to continue o'aying rates and taxes purely for the benefit of the people in. the Hutt Valley and Wellington. Only 8000 acres affected the Hutt Valley and Wellington. He had frequently offered the property to the Government and the local bodies interested, at from 30s to £2 an acre, but had been told that if the price were reduced to 7s 6d they might thinkabout it. They would take it over if it were given to them

for nothing. ■ , , ' • Mr. Seed said he understood that the Maungatutu area was: State forest, and thH it could only be protected from milling or cutting if it were declared a scenic reserve. Those taking part in the Beautifying Society's meeting, said > Mr Seed seemed to think that it was the' Acclimatisation Society which was cutting the bush in the Maungatutu, but it was definitely the Director of Forestry.. ""' . :. ' ."'."' It was decided; on the motion o£-the chairman,' to -ask the local bodies, th"a Forest and Bird Protection Society, the Beautifying Society, and the Automobile Association to join in appealing to the Government. ■ _;>

An electric roller .presser leh switched on in the premises ".of •; "tHe Amos Clothing Company, 12 Kent "Thrace, burst into flames shortly before 10:30 last night. The blaze was* noticed by a passer-by in Lipman Street "arid he gave the alarm. The brigade extinguished the flames with buckel pumps.