A NATIONAL DISASTER

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 9 December 1927, Page 7

A NATIONAL DISASTER

BUSH DESTRUCTION DEPLORED

TAURANGUKUMA BUSH SHOULD BE PROTECTED.

“The residents of Napier and Hawke’s Bay view with considerable alarm the destruction of native bush that is taking place, and request the Government to consider the preservation of our native bush and flora as a national question, and in view of the very important bearing on the tourist traffic, to take definite action to have conserved all bush adjacent to the main highways throughout the Dominion.” The above resolution was carried unanimously last night by the Napier Thirty Thousand Club—a body that has been most active in the preservation of native bush in Hawke’s BayMr. W. Harvey, in moving the motion, stated that the need for conservation of bush throughout the country could not be too strongly emnhasised and the Government could not pay too much attention to the matter as it affected every district. It was a national matter and should be brought home to the Government. Tn a few years time there would be little left of the fine flora of the country and one of the greatest assets for the attraction of tourists would bo gone. A GRAVE MISTAKE. “If this comes to pass,” said Mr. Harvey, “it will be one of the grayest mistakes ever made by those in power.” In supporting Mr. Harvey Mr. L. Pickering said that the loss of the bush on the Taupo road would be most serious as it was a welcome sight after crossing the plains. He mentioned the Motu bush which had been cleared, stating that good land had gone to waste as the slope was too steep for grazing purposes. PARTICLAR CASE OUSTED. The following further motion was also carried: —“This meeting of residents of Hawke’s Bay and Napier urge upon the Government the necessity of securing the beautiful bush situted at Turangukuma Hili, adjacent to the main highway to Auckland via Taupo.” Mr. Harvey pointed out that at the present time the Government had a proclamation on the bush at Turangukuma, between Napier and Taupo, but once it was lifted it would be “Goodbye to the bush.” It was decided to forward a copy of the motions to the Government with a letter strongly expressing the board’s views.