FORESTRY LEAGUE.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 March 1922, Page 1

FORESTRY LEAGUE.

LAST NIGHT’S ADDRESS. Mr Will Lawson, Organiser of the New Zealand Forestry League, arrived in Hokitika last cyenipg, and later addressed a public meeting at the Town Hall on the aims of the organisation. The attendance was not large. In the absence of the Mayor, Mr W. J. Butler (a member of the Forestry League) presided.

In introducing the speaker, Mr Butler referred to the industrial value of forestry and the importance of maintaining the supplies of timber. The Forestry League was helpful along those lines, and they would welcome the effort to stir up interest in the subject locally. A number of residents of the district were members already of the Forestry League. Mr Lawson followed with an address, explaining the objects of the league, and detailing what was being done in other centres. Branches wore now established in Wellington (headquarters)), Christchurch, Hawlces Bay and Nelson. They hoped to establish a branch on the West Coast where the timber was qt such value. There was every reason for the people here to be interested in the subject for it was the prime indsutry. It was essential to maintain the supplies of' timber so that the industry would continue to flourish. To that end a forestry policy was most essential where the standing timber was. A forestry policy for land without timber would be farcical. The ohief remainin'’, forests of the Dominion were on the West Coast, and it was essential that the people should have a voice in the forestry policy governing the disposal of the timber. A local branch of the Forestry League could he the mouthpiece to ventilate their wants and requirements, and to assist in securing conditions favorable to the promotion of the industry.

The speaker stressed the point of reafforestation, and urged the necesesity of seeing to the regeneration of their forests. It was found that the native forests regenerated in time, and instanced the case of a kauri plantation of natural growth in the North- Island, which had made wonderful growth in 40 yt’ars. And the instance given was oi a white pine plantation on the West Const which had remarkable growth in a few years. At the Moutere Hills between Nelson and Motueka the growth there of the plantations was amazing. In some parts there the cost of plantations is ridiculously low —-about £5 an acre, including trees, labor and land, but fencing would he extra. One of live most noticeable features about these plantations was the way in which the trees planted as seedlings, among manuka, broom, and gorse, had raised their healthy foliage above the scrub in less than four years, and were easily outstripping it in growth. Within another couple of years the gorse and other weeds would die.

A number of slides were shown to illustrate the points made by Mr Lawson. Much of interest was said nnft shown in regard to the old established plantations in Canterbury and also in the North Island. The operations of plantation work weile detailed by picture showing the methods and also the results within a comparatively short term. Interesting particulars of the growth and value of trees in Canterbury were given, and Mr Lawson said the same insults were possible here in afforestation work, lie said it was contemplated taking up such work shortly in the vicinity of Hokitika and that would he a practical demonstration of the building up methods of the forestry policy. Mr Lawson dealt with Canadian forests and the care necessary thene in checking forest fires. He quoted a visiting Canadian as an authority for the statement that oregon pines would do really well on the West Coast of this Island, if plantation work were earned on. lie said the redwoods were an exceptionally valuable forest product, and were strongly recommended lor plantation on the proposed plot adjacent to Hokitika. Mr Lawson concluded with a plea for memlrers for the League, again urging the vital service which could be rendered to the industry. The total membership was now 500, but tbe> wanted 5,000 and a strong public opinion behind them. The Chairman supported the appeal, stating that already there were some 25 members on the Coast, sufficient to constitute a local branch. He hoped the number would lie added to. On the Chairman’s motion, seconded by Dr Teichelmann, it was agreed to term a .branch. The slides were splendidly shown with the aid of Dr Teichelmanu’s plant, Rev Rurclias being the operator, hi addition to a good series of slides brought by Mr Lawson, a number of South Westland scenes of bush and mountain scenery from Dr Teielielmann’s excellent collection were also shown, and the . whole much enjoyed by those present. Votes of thanks to the speaker and to the others assisting were carried by acclamation, and the singing of the National Anthem closed the proceedings.