Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, MAY 8, 1917. SPARE THE BUSH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1709, 8 May 1917, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, MAY 8, 1917. SPARE THE BUSH.

Y HEX (he Eoxton Harbour Board was re-eons(ituted, among the endowments vested in it for revenueproducing purposes hy the Government was Ihe Marine Reserve, a( Motuiti, an area of about 400 acres. The land is subject to sand drift, and is covered with manuka scrub. A portion of (lie land, if drained and improved, would, as Mr Barber pointed out at the last meet in”' of the Boa rd, make a profitable farm. Included in the reserve, however, is a native bush of about 80 acres. This bush is known locally as the “Hound Bush.’' In times past it served as a land'mark and beacon to mariners trading to the port. In this respect it was and, we believe, still is held sacred by the Marine Department. Since those days, however, bells of pine trees have been planted and serve a similar purpose along the coast. The “Hound Bush” is the last remnant of native bush left between Palmerston and Eoxton, and as a beauty spot it should for ever be protected against destruction. it is fringed with scrub and luxurious native undergrowth. The bush includes nearly all our well-known forest trees and shrubs, while ferns and beautiful native plants abound. Erom a scenic and educational point of view the bush alone is an invaluable asset, not only to Eoxton, but to the province. With very little expense it could be converted into a magniJicent park. Our native bush is fast disappearing, ami no stone should be left unturned to protect what little is left: to us." At the last meeting of the Board Mr Barber recommended cutting the white pine limber from the bush. He said, "timber growing on this block was

a valuable asset, and should he dealt with. The wind was doing great damage to the nullable timber, so much so that three parts of the trees were dead. He estimated that there were eighty acre*; of bush, of which Jifteeu acres were millable, nnd which, if fallen aud the laud drained, would make a very valuable farm, and in conjunction with the other land would bring in a substantial revenue- The draining of the bush land referred to would greatly assist the draining of the lower and cleared lands. He strongly recommended that an effort he made to sell the millable timber, hut would prefer the Board to make a special inspection ■ before making any arrangement fur re-leasing it.” The Board decided to inspect the bush, aud the inspection will take place to-morrow. As far as we can gather, the Board will he called up-

on to decide whether the hush will go aud the revenue from its destruction he converted to improving the holding for farm purposes. Before the bush can be destroyed, however, the Marine Department will have to be consulted, for the reason that "Omarupapuku,” as the bush is called, is on

every chart. Apart from this, will the few pounds received for white

pine compensate for the destruction of this beauty spot? Surely not. We do not believe that the Board will allow any act of vandalism in connection with this portion of the reserve. Other than the bush acreage the reserve could be improved and made to return a much greater revenue than at present. But in the public interest we sincerely hope that nothing will be done to destroy the bush on the reserve, but rather that the Board will cause it to be more carefully safeguarded as a beauty spot tor those who are to come after us.