SAND DUNES AND FORESTRY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 2038, 7 October 1919, Page 3

SAND DUNES AND FORESTRY.

Wellington, Oct. 2. Mr Field, the member for O.taki, asked (he Minister in Charge of State Forests, in the House yesterday Avhether, in vieAv ofAhe fast diminishing supply of Avhite pine tim- • her for butter boxes, lulloav casks and other purposes, and in compliance Avith the strongly expressed desire of local bodies, dairy farmers, and others located on the West Coast of the North Island, he Avould, Avithout further delay, take such steps as would ensure The establishment of large plantations of pious radiata and other suitable trees, on the Avaste coastal, sandy lauds fronting the South Taranaki Bight, thus accomplishing the fourfold purpose of prevention of sand drift, the abundant future supply of suitable timber, the provision of shelter for the more fertile lands from the prevailing sea Avinds, and the absorption of surplus labour in a Avork of great national importance. Mr Massey replied that most of the sand dune areas’ on the shores of the South Taranaki Bight are national cndoAvmcnt lands, Avhich are leased to Europeans avlio hold adjoining lands. As at the present time there is no authority Avhereby national cndoAvmcnt lands can he proclaimed State forests, these runs cannot he resumed for forestry purposes. Towards the southern cud of the Bight there is a considerable extent of native owned sand dunes, but from inquiries made before the Avar it was found that the price required for this laud avus excessive. Negotiations are at present being continued with the owner of a private sand dune area between Wanganui and Faekakariki, and if the price required for the laud be satisfactory, it may be purchased and afforested.