AFFORESTATION

Hokitika Guardian, 21 February 1929, Page 2

AFFORESTATION

AN INTERESTING ADDRESS

CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 20,

Mr James Deans (Coalgate), representing tile Forestry League, gave an address on afforestation at tlic meeting ot' the Canterbury School Committees’ Association last night. He said that the Forestry League was trying to do its best to encourage forestry in New Zealand and wanted to interest the people in such a worthy project. The British Empire generally had not until recent years gone in for the scientific planting of forests, usually obtaining their timber from native lands unuer their jurisdiction. However, afforestation had made headway in some parts recently. Forty million acres of .orests which were existant in New Zealand sixty years ago had now been reduced to twelve millions. Most of the reduced area was in inaccessible mountain country, it was essential to keep forests at the head of mountain rivers to save erosion and to minimise flooding. in the North Island good work bad certainly .been done in cutting down some of the forests for grazing areas, but the cutting down had been much overdone. In other places burning of the bush bad been resorted to out the land cleared bad been found of little value for grazing, etc. Mr Deans stressed the point that .New Zealand should allow a natural regeneration of its native trees, and encourage the planting of exotics. The league has been preaching for years the necessity for children to take an interest in atforestation. It was not a matter for grown-ups to look iorward to in their own lives as a forest took many years to reach a state of maturty, hot. in the case of children it was something to look forward to in their mature years. The league advocated seven to ten varieties of exotics suitable for planting. The schools should try to get small areas contiguous to them, or nearly so, in order that the children should be instructed in planting. Bv growing trees and encouraging children to grow trees a great national work would l>e forwarded. The address was illustrated by lantern views, and at the conclusion the lecturer was accorded a hearty vote or thanks.