THE ROUND BUSH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 2017, 19 August 1919, Page 2

THE ROUND BUSH.

WE believe we can say without fear of contradiction that the Foxton Harbour Board, so far as endowments are concerned, is the poorest in the Dominion. Its endowments consist of the river foreshore, ■ at the Heads, and what is known as the Marine Reserve at Motuiti, upon which stands an area of some 40 acres of native bush. With the removal of the bush, and other improvements effected, this reserve could be converted into a profitable farm, with an’ assured return to the Board. But the Government has placed restrictions upon the bush area, which precludes the Board from carrying out necessary improvements to assist its revenue. The Act provides (Section 14) that the bush standing on section 332 shall not be leased, cut, destroyed, or damaged in any way by the Board without prior consent in writing of the Minister of Lands; and any lease granted by the Board over the section shall contain a clause prohibiting the lessee from lighting or allowing to he lighted any fire within two chains of the bush, and otherwise ensuring that every precaution is taken against the destruction of the bush by fire; also that no bush upon the section shall be cut or damaged in any way, notwithstanding the issue of‘any lease or’timber-cutting rights granted over the said section by the Board. It, will be seen, therefore, that the Government has not only deprived the Board of a means of revenue, but has added to its responsibilities. The Borough Council is prepared to acquire the bush area from the Board, and to safeguard and control this natural asset .on behalf of the State. The Government has placed a valuation of £lO per acre on the bush, .and is prepared to contribute up to this sum for its acquisition from the Board and‘transfer to. the Council. The commercial value of the laud, however, is worth £4O per acre to the Board, but as a scenic reserve its value to the Board is nil. A t Saturday’s conference of local body delegates it was decided to wait upon the Minister of Lands and request an endowment in lieu of the bush area taken from the Board by the Government and set aside as a scenic reserve. We hope the Minister will view the matter in the right light, and grant the request, in view of the obstacles which have beset the path of the Board in the past.