THE TOWN BELT

Evening Star, Issue 22144, 26 September 1935, Page 8

THE TOWN BELT

CLEARING THE UNDERGROWTH SYSTEMATIC ACTIVITIES NATIVE TREES BEING PLANTED “Hands off our native bush!” This is the cry of many patriotic Dunedin folk who view with suspicion and alarm the activities of the reserves department men who are clearing away the undesirable part of the undergrowth —and “ overgrowth ” —from the Town Belt. . . . It is apparent that, in the opinion of some, the removal of the smallest twig of native origin from that very pleasant stretch of bush is an insult to Dunedin and an offence against New Zealand civilisation. One may perhaps he pardoned tor thinking that the anti-departmental feeling that has sprung up oyer this matter is to some extent heightened by the knowledge that Mr D. Tannock, the luperiiitendent of reserves, is Scot-tish-born. It has been said by those prone to exaggerate that it is Mr Tannock’s object to eliminate as much native bush as he reasonably can and

substitute British trees. This attitude on the part of critics is nothing short of nonsensical. Mr Tannock has been 30 years in New Zealand, and has a warm spot in his heart for the evergreen beauty of the country’s native bush. What he does object to is the presence in the Town Belt of certain parasitic growths which seem gradually to bo strangling and smothering the more worthy trees and shrubs. In certain areas where the clearing away of the rubbish has necessarily left fairly barren patches, the department’s workers are planting such attractive substitutes as karaka, purin, and rewa rewa. If the critical section of the public will only have patience they may yet behold a Town Belt that bears a much closer resemblance to real New Zealand bush than it does at preAt the moment a very ugly looking patch may be seen at the corner of Duchess and Newington -Avenues. At sight of this the passing motorist is quite justified in exclaiming; “Well, if that' is what they call clearing the hush, the sooner a stop is put to these operations the better.” But if passers-by will take the trouble to examine the misshapen tree trunKs standing—and in some instances lying —there stark and naked, they will discover that much of the wood is dead — practically rotten. Now, it is inconceivable that these limbs’ demise came upon them suddenly or during the short time that has elapsed since the area was cleared. Therefore the only con-

elusion that can be arrived at is that they have been bowed down and smothered to death by the impenetrable coagulation of parasites that has cloaked them for years. Despite another possible wail from the ultra-patriotic bush-lovers, this dead wood will no doubt be removed—at present it is serving as an object lesson —and then other citizens will be able to follow with appreciation the growth of the new and really worthwhile native trees —not rowan trees —that have been planted. There are other patches that will have to be subjected to similar treatment, but it must not be imagined that the whole of the Belt will require it. As a matter of fact, there are large areas which will never need the attention of the department—picturesque spots which hitherto have been hidden fx-om the public eye because of the tangled barriers lying between them and the thoroughfares. Such a place may be found below that section of the Queen’s Drive xvhich connects the Boys’ High School with Mornington. Through the activities of the department a delightful gully has been rendered easy of access from the road, and everywhere there is evidence of a cleanliness and orderliness that did not previously exist. Nevertheless, sufficient orthodox undergrowth is left to enable the place to conform with the observer’s ideas on what is or is not native bush. Citizens may take it that what is being done is all for the best. They are not being robbed of their heritage.