THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto: Public Service. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, & FRIDAY. FRIDAY, MAY 24, 1929. THE WAITAWHETA GORGE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5428, 24 May 1929, Page 2

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE. Motto: Public Service. MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, & FRIDAY. FRIDAY, MAY 24, 1929. THE WAITAWHETA GORGE.

As the result of the deputation, to the Minister of Lands headed by Mr H. M. Corbett for the Ohinemuri County, and supported by Mr W. Marshall on behalf of the Paeroa Borough, there is every likelihood of the Waitawheta Gorge being declared a scenic reserve. The Hon. G. W. Forbes expressed his sympathy with the proposal, and promised to go into the matter. At the same time he congratulated the deputation on its foresight. The Commissioner of Crown Lands, Mr K. N. Graham, added bis praise of the beauties the gorge abounded in. The idea of declaring the gorge a scenic reserve was first mentioned a number of years ago. In 1917 the local Chamber of Commerce made a move in the matter, and again took it up in 1925. In September of that year the chamber received notification from the Department of Lands and Survey that a goodly portion of the gorge had been set apart as a provisional State forest. There the question remained, as quiescent as the Chamber of Commerce itself, until taken up by the “Hauraki Plains Gazette.” On May 3 was published in this journal a leader advocating that the Waitawheta Gorge should be declared a scenic reserve ; and also an article on the flora of the gorge written by an eminent authority on the subject. That there is every promise of the purpose of the leader and article being fulfilled gives great satisfaction, and the thanks of this and future generations will be due to the deputation for bringing the subject to the Minister’s notice. Thereby the people of New Zealand—and it is not putting it too strongly to say the people from overseas as well—will have preserved for all time for their pleasure and study a spot of unparalleled beauty and unique botanical interest.