STATE FOREST SERVICE

Hokitika Guardian, 26 April 1923, Page 1

STATE FOREST SERVICE

ANNUAL CONFERENCE. URGENT PROBLEMS DISCUSSED. Many matters of vital importance to the welfare of the Dominion were discussed at the conference of the State I-orest Service held in Wellington during last week. Investigations made during the last twelve months with regard to the effects of deforestation on tlie How of the main rivers, of the Wellington region disclose the fact that these are becoming more marked as time goes on. In the case of the Wanganui and also the Ongnrue. rapid rises of level have occurred. In January last, at Taumarumii. the Wanganui ro--e ten feet, and the Ongarue live feet and forty feet at Pipiriki in tv.enty-loiir hours. Throughout the watershed of these rivers, large areas of delorested lands are reverting to secondary growth and fern, mul serious erosion has already sol in on the denuded hill slopes. The certain outcome of this reckless policy of destroying the forest will be that the Wanganui will soon cease to he navigable, and its wonderful scenic attractions will become a thing of the past. DANGER TO RIVERS. .Many other rivers in the Wellington region are showing similar signs of the results of hush destruction. Heavy accumulations of gravel and boulders in tin 1 beds of the Waipawa, Tauhcrenikau. Hutt, Mannwatu, and Bangitikei Rivers are leading to increased flood dangers, while the Wnitara, Turakina. Waitotara. and Wnngnehu are piling up debris from the hack country that will eventually spread their flood waters far and wide. Further surveys 0 f the remaining bush country, only two-thirds of which come under the control of the service, are to he made in order that the problem may be attacked at its source. DEER A SElirorS PEST. Further reports of deer from Otago and Southland afford convincing proof that the animals have become a serious pest in these districts. Herds of them wander at will across country nt night, cleaning up crop,, and making light of any fences erected to stop them. Where a fence, is topped with high wires, the deer leap sideways between the lower strands, and continue on their way. The damage already done- to the native forest is inealcul- j able.

EXOTIC TREES. The interesting experiment of underplanting indigenous forests with exotic trees in cases where the native trees arc ,;f no value for timber purposes has been under!e.ken during the year, and the lesults arc being closely watched The regeneration ol the native trees is l.c-ing studied also, and it is considered that with the elimination of stock and lire, good results are certain. The preparation of an area situated on till- West Coast of the South Island for experimental tree-planting lias been well pushed on. and its establishment should result in the collection of valuable data as to the most suitable species to provide timber in this region lor the future requirements oi the- Dominion. So far, the land has been cleared and prepared for planting operations, and quarters are nearing completion for the nceonimodatinu of those in charge. COM BATTING EIRE. The method 1 adopted by (he i 1 o eovubat ihe hie inopa/e moved most effective during tin- pa-I reason. U Vhak are ivsi rewa several fires that in; atoned the plantation areas were speedily got under control while at Haumer Springs, the plantation stall, loyally assisted by local residents, successfully checked a lire that had traversed aeros-, some five miles of tussock country in three hours, and threatened io bear down on i lie plantations. The greatest danger from fire naturally o; curs in the Auckland region, owing m drier conditions and the inflammability ot the kauri trees. I !:-■ danger exist- to a lesser degree ill lb-' Nel-en region, where the bee fi pirosl - l.eeoni every dry in the summer. Thanks to the methods adopted to meet *!.e menace during the last sea-on ; i:e damage occurred from lire oi any el tlie State forests of the Do nieioe.