SANDHILLS IMPROVEMENT

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2171, 22 April 1908, Page 2

SANDHILLS IMPROVEMENT

A WORTHY SUGGESTION. A suggestion worthy of every consideration was placed before the Gisborne Borough Council last evening, when a letter was received from a visitor to Gisborne, Mr. L. J. Adams, who brought under notice a scheme, which be thought would confer a great benefit to the community, by planting a forest 'of quick-grovung useful timber of. a pine species on the sandy wastes around the bay. The letter stated that such a forest would prevent the sand from travelling ip]and and doing other damage. The Government State forest would probably supply trees for the purpose. Or. Williams said there was good deal in Mr. Adams’ proposal, and it was worthy of consideration. It would he a grand thing to have a belt of pine trees along the shore, for they would beautify the bav and act as a break-wind. The Mayor said the letter was a good one, and should be referred to the Public Works Committee for future cousi.d/jrutiou. This suggestion was adopted. In a chat yesterday with a “Times” reporter. Mr. Adams explained his ;

scheme, and said that pine tree plantations had been found very suitable in New Zoaland for reclaiming sandy wastes. A belt of pines around the bay would greatly improve the barren sand hills at present so unsightly. He estimated that if a largo area was undertaken the work could bo done at a cost of about £2 per acre. • The trees would have to bo planted at about 4 feet apart, but afterwards thinned out, until there would only be in 20 years’ time about 170 to the acre at a. distance of 16 feet apart. The pines ho though most suitable were pinus maratima or almost any kind of conifers! nine. They would, when felled, produce wood suitable for building and box making, and when growing could bo tapped jor resin ansi coniferino, the latter being largely used in soap-making. A belt of pines would form a natural bicakwind, and on the inland side more ornamental trees, such ns bluegums, peppermint gums, or iron barks could lie grown, the whole forming a. very useful plantation suitable for picnics and recreation. .