THE LIFE OF THE KAURI

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2029, 14 March 1907, Page 4

THE LIFE OF THE KAURI

CAN IT BE PROLONGED?

(N.Z. Herald.)

Tho statomont mndo by tho Minister for Lands (tho lion. R. McNnb) in rognrd to tho kauri timbor trndo, ns tho outcomo of a deputation that waited on him during his rccont visit to Auckland, naturally revives tho discussion on tho question ns to tho probable length of tho remaining lifo of this important branch of tho timbor industry. Tho Ministor, in stating that ho intondod to go into tho whole position rogarding tho remaining supplies of kauri, remarked that it soomod to bo understood that there was not much more than ton yonrs’ supply available for all tho mills now in oxistonco. 110 also intimated that ho favored a scliomo' for tho reservation of tho areas as yot undisposed of, and of slackening down the cutting out of tho remainder. Our representative lias followed up this Ministerial declaration by interviewing a number of tho principal timbor merchants in tho city, and oliciting tlioir views rogarding tho practicability of tho suggostod scliomo Tho reporter found that amongst the millors there is a consensus of opinion that it is now too late for tho making of kauri timbor reservations of any sizo, and also that tho slackening down of tho output from areas already disposed of is not a i'oasiblo proposition. Various reasons were givon for this opinion, tho principal argument advanced being that it is a practical impossibility to conserve tho supplies of kauri forests when onco tho outposts of settlement havo boon advanced to tlioir borders. Civilisation, according to tho general view expressed, is inimical to tho wolfaro of tho lordly giants of Northorn forests. “I havo been told,” said one miller, “by a gentleman who in his late public position was enabled to obtain a close acquaintance with the subject that when onco settlement makes its appearance—no matter whotlior by tho advent of tho golddigger, tho gumdiggor, or the farmor —tho kauri is doomed.” The stray match, carelessly or accidentally thrown into tho inflammable debris that is found in tho kauri forests during the dry months of summer has a great deal to answer for. Tho kauri, despite its massive girth and toworing height, its bold and imposing aspect, is by common assent a dolicato plant when the incursions of tho fire fiend havo to be reckoned with. This is one of the chief arguments by which tho plea for tho conservation of tho kauri is combated by tlioso who urge that tho timber cannot bo “dolod out” when once it has been deprived of tho protection of its natural surroundings. “THE KAURI MUST GO.”

“Tlie risk of fires and the disassd trous consequences,” said Mr D. Goldie, “is a continual worry to the 9- millers. It has been a relief this year to have had a wet summer, as it has es saved us from a great deal of anxiety o, and loss. Kauri is unlike other timbers in this respect. With rimu there is not so much danger, and with kahikatea there is practically no risk, as it usually grows in swampy ground. Very little fire is required 10 to kill the kauri, and, in fact, a _ dense hot smoko is almost sufficient to destroy the life in the tree. Wherever there is settlement, road-making or gumdiggers’ camps, there is also the danger of fire in dry weathor, and after the firo has once been through the bush it is exposed to the ravages of the pin-hole pest. It must then be used up at once if it is desired to obtain the full profit from the trees.” “When once a district it gets opened up,” said Mr Goldie, “there is no chance for the retention „ of the kauri. The kauri must go, as e we cannot guarantee its safety.” e Asked what timbers would bo forthcoming to keep up supplies when tho •t kauri was done, Mr Goldie said that other woods must take its place. In addition to other New Zealand woods, including totara and rimu, there was Tasmanian gum . and Oregon pine, both of which would probably be used in the New Zealand buildings of the future. THE RESULT OF SETTLEMENT. Similar views were expressed by I Mr W. 13. White, of the Waitemata Sawmilling Company. “As long as tho timber remains in tho primeval forest it is safe enough,” he said, “but when the farm and the homestead and the gold-seeker’s whare or gumdiggor’s camp appear on tho scone the bush is in danger. Tho way to make the best use of the timber then is to cut it down and save it. It is better for the Government to sell the green bush than to allow the fire to go through it and , spoil half of it and leave the ‘pinhole’ to continue the damage. I '* know several bushes that are being gradually destroyed year by year. Each year a fresh strip is burned., and thus the work of destruction goes on. Millions and millions of feet of ’ timber have been destroyed by firo ’ in New Zealand during the past few years. Tho unanimous opinion of ? country peoplo is that the kauri cannot be conserved, and that we must make the best use of it whilst we have the chance. As for the Govern- _ ment preserving the forests, it may „ be pointed out that the millers are in a better position to protect it, although they have purchased it. They stand to make or lose money by it, and naturally will do their best * to keep it from being destroyed as long as possible. Millers are just as anxious as the Government that the kauri should bo preserved, and it is to our interests that it should be f preserved, but, as I have said, it is impossible tq do so.” “Is ten years a faip estimate of the remaining life of the industry at the present rate of output?” “The Minister has certainly not under - estimated the time during which the present mills,most of which l are engaged exclusively on kauri, can be kept employed with tho remaining stocks of timber. Of course a limited supply of tho timber would be available for special purposes even 20 years hence. This, however, would have to be obtained from the more remote bushes, and the cost of production would naturally be greater than at present.” ANOTHER MILLER’S VIEWS. 1 Air. W- B. Leyland, of the firm of Leyland and O’Brien, concurred in the views expressed by other millers regarding tho impossibility of protecting the kauri against tlie ravages of fire. As examples, ho instanced the fires that had occurred in some of tho State forests, including the Wharekawa and Puhipuhi bushes, some years ago, as well as the fire at tl scenic reserve near Dargaville, which had taken place only a few weeks ago. “The sawmillers,” he said, “have a better chance than the Government of being able to protect the bush from fire, as they can watch j it more closely, but oven they can- ] not save it. The rangers who are : appointed for the State forests have j too wide an area to cover. More ( timber has been destroyed by fire - in the past than has fallen to the 1 axe, and as population increases the 1 risk is proportionately greater. It * is far preferable to turn the timber f to account and to retain it as a 1 national asset, in the form of a build- J ing, than to allow it to be swept a away by fire.” j TOO LATE FOR CONSERVATION, a The Hon. E. Mitclielson, of the a Mitchelson Timber Company, said n that he doubted whether the remain- q ing supplies of kauri would keep the present mills going for 10 years. He would place the period at seven or eight years at tho outside. Ho hod, he said, strongly advocated many ca years ago that the Government should w take some steps to conserve the kauri j jr by prohibiting its export, but his * p;

warnings had not boon lioodod, and it was now too lato to take any effective action in this direction. Ho agreed with other millors rogarding tho offoct of settlement on tho kauri forests, and said that most of tho largo remaining bushos wore now boing nffoctod in this way, with tho exception, porlmps, of tho Holdanga district, whore ho bolioved there was an area containing some 60,000,000 ft of timbor so far socure against tho risk of tho doadly firo that follows in tho train of civilisation. If action had boon takon some years ago good would havo rosultod, but ho had little hopo for tho success of any scliomo of conservation that might now bo decided upon.