THE NOBLE KAURI

Hokitika Guardian, 9 February 1921, Page 3

THE NOBLE KAURI

AMERICAN EXPERT’S VIEWS.

AUCKLAND, Feb. 5

If the kauri forests of New Zealand had been kept intact by judicious management, they would have paid off the national debt of the Dominion, is the opinion of Mr Ernest H. Wilson, assistant director of the Arnold Arbo Retim, Harvard University, who has concluded investigation of some northern forests near Dargaville. It was too late now, he said in an interview, to regret that kauri had been ruthlessly squandered. All that could be done was to preserve intact the kauri and other forests that remained.

Speaking of the Trounson Kauri Park near Dargaville, which was presented to the Government by Mr J. Trounson, Mr Wilson said that it is the most magnificent thing of its kind that I have ever seen, and you have a wonderful asset in that pa-k, especially from a scientific point of view. You have in that forest one of the finest things on earth. The trees, with their e.vlinder-like trunks, are quite unlike anything 1 have seen. They resemble very much cathedral columns, and are quite unlike any other trees with which 1 am acquainted.”

.Mr Wilson observed that 'the kauri bad a place in the forefront of tlie great trees of the* earth, and certninh ranked well with the large trees of California. Of course, they wore not as tall or as large as these latter, “|,ut,” lie said, “if half I have been told of the enormous growth ot some giant kauris is true, then they stand comparison with the greatest trees in the world. They are noble* among trees, noble in appearance. They have no faults as far as T have been able to ascertain.”

Mr Wilson said that young trees should he protected, and adult trees taken away. This would enable the country '« grow all the timber it required after a few years. For years past, young trees had been destroyed, and consequently the country was becoming denuded of its natural coveiing.” “New Zealand,” added Hr Milson, “by reason of the clearing of bush from the hills, is being steadily but sttrelv washed out to sea.