THE WAITAWHETA GORGE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4702, 23 May 1924, Page 2

THE WAITAWHETA GORGE

ITS BE A LTV EXTOLLED. SCENIC RESERVE ADVOCATED. At the Chamber of Commerce meeting on Tuesday evening last Mr D. Leach drew attention to the beauty of the AVaitawheta Gorge, and the wander of the native flora to be found there. Mr Leach said that from a scenic point of view the gorge had nothing to equal it in any part of New Zealand, and he thought it-was a, great pity that some effort could not be made towards conservation >i such beauty, especially in view ofi the fact that serious depredation to the bush was likely during the coming years. He thought it was incumbent on the Chamber to take the matter of conservation up at once, and • with that end in view he would suggest that the Paeroa Beautifying Society should get in touch with .he authorities and obtain permission to have an area set aside as a scenic reserve. Mr Porritt supported the remarks made by Mr Leach, and said he thought that during the latter end of 19t7 er early in 1918 an prea of approximately two chains on both sides of the gorge had been set aside as a scenic reserve, to be controlled by tlie local Beautifying Society. The president said he thought that too much publicity could not be given to the beauties of Waitawheta. where native flora numbered no less than 352 distinct species known to botanists. Although the gorge was' almost at our back doors, it was one of the least known of our scenic reserves. It was undoubtedly one of the most interesting floral zones in New Zealand, embodying, as it did. a fairly wide range of altitude, all degrees of light and shade, of humidity, of slope, an.l character of soil. Tn the past th.' Chamber had shown considerable interest in the scenic and floral attractions of Waitawheta, and he agreed with Mr Leach that the matter might be reopened again and the position ascertained.