TREES OR FARMS?

Hokitika Guardian, 22 May 1929, Page 5

TREES OR FARMS?

KARIOI PLANTATION. Tiie Commissioner of State Forests, the Hon. W. B. Taverner. paid a visit of inspection to the Karioi estate near Ohnkuno last week, the party including the Minister's Secretary, the Director of State Forests, Air (Phillip Turner, the Conservator of Forests Air D. AfcPherson, and other officials. At the Forset Service’s head camp ATr F. Langstone, M.P., introduced a number of residents and public men from Rnetibi and Ohakun'e. AH J. L. Perham, officer in charge at Karioi, produced plans of work done and work contemplated. In answer to questions, the Minister was informed that 7009 acres had been "bulled The cost of the work in 1927 ws'is £3 14s. 6cl per acre and in 1928 £1 .17s 6d. The average cost was £2 os id, including overhead expenses. The forestry companies estimated the value of the planting at £25 per acre, but a better estimate would he £lO. It was stated that the late Government bought 33,000 acres for £12,000. Air Langstone said that a protest had been made and a petition signed by 10,000 persons, objecting to the land being used, for tree planting, liaj been presented to the Government. The petition had been circulated from Taumarunui to AVanggnui.' An linspection of tl(e country was!: made and it was seen that Ihe trees’' "had made good growth. An inspection of nearby farms was also made, th,e farmers .declaring that the land taken for tree planting .was of .the sam.e. n.af tore as farms'which bad been brought, to a. high standnijd. pf production. [,?j. The Director .of ’Fftrprtrtfc'- i -statV(l : ’ that 9000 rabbits had been taken off tbo area planted by the Department. The ATinister appeared to be quite satisfied that tho land cfculd be made to grow good hay and turnips. He thought the trees should never have been planted, and said it was now a question for Cabinet to decide whether the policy should he continued. Cabinet would discuss the question and return an answer .to the settlers. The Minister was asked to defer judgment until a statement of tho ’position was written "out and*;sent: to■; him. - u