ROY'S HILL AREA

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 192, 31 August 1937, Page 8

ROY'S HILL AREA

Planting of Trees Would Give Safeguard NGARURORO RIVER DANGER The possibility, remote though it might be, of the Ngarurori xiver breaking its banks in the vicinity of Roy's Hill and so creating considerable damage to jiroperty between tbe riVcr and Hastings, ancf even possibly in Hastings itself, was mentioned by the Mayor, Mr G. A. Maddison, yesterday in his address to members of the Hastings Chamber of Commerce. He con-i sidered that as a definite safeguard against such an eventuality would be to plant trees in this loeality. "I consider afforestatioh a ruqtter of the utmost importance to Hastings," he said. "And if it is at all juucticable — and I believe * it is from what I have seen — I would like to see the afforestation of the areas adjacent to Roy's HilL There is the remote possibility of the areas contiguous to Hastings being endangered by the Ngaruroro xiver breaking its banks at this point, and the planting of trees would give us some definite safeguard against such a thing happening. "The soil provides very littlo pasture, but nevertheless I believe it is ideal for the purposo of afforestation," he said. "If the areas were planted they would eventually provide a particularly vablable industry for this town, in the employment of men and the marketing oi the timber, and also, I believe, would have a benefieial effect on the climate Of this district. understanci that ihe Governmeflt

is particularly interested in schemea of afforestation, and is making a survey of New Zealand for this purpose," he added. "I consider that this is a matter that might well be investigated by the Chamber, in conjunetion with other loeal bodies, and if necessary, placed before the Government for consideration." Mr Maddison recalled tbat in 1923 to 1926, tbe borough planted in trees an area of 83 acres at tbe Mangaroa Block, and be had every reason to believe that eventually these trees would prove a particularly valuable asset to Hastings. They should be marketable in appro wmately 20 to 25 years' time. "You will readily rcalisc tho benelit tbat will nccruo to this town from tbe proceeds of tho salo of this timber," ho said, "although it is very difficult to assess what axnount that will be; nevertheless I consider it will be well in the vicinfty of £100,000 and such a suin of money will be very useful iu providing institu tions and otlier amenities in the borough, and the borough will still have the property. .