AFFORESTATION

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2229, 20 January 1921, Page 1

AFFORESTATION

OF COAST SAND DUNE AREAS.

100,000 ACRES INVOLVED,

Hundreds of thousands of- acres ol’ sandy wastes are spread at intervals even in our fertile New Zealand, and on the West Coast of the North Island, .between Packakariki and Paten there are actually 100,000 acres of sand dunes. It has long boon thought that timber trees could be planted and would grow successfully on these areas,., and at a recent meeting of the Ma-na.'-atu A. and P. Association the matter was brought up by All* G. L. Marshall, of Marlon. On his motion if was decided to ask representa-

tives of the Wellington Provincial Farmers' Union and other agricultural societies interested to confer with a representative of the afforestation branch of the Agricultural Department on the subject. Recently Captain E'iis, representing the Department, visited Palmerston N., and a conference was held, at I ended by .Messrs K. \V. Dalrymple (Balls). Gregor McGregor (Wanganui). G. L. Marshall (Marlon), and 11. V. Lethbridge (Turakiim). Mr Dalrymple was voted to the chair. Captain Ellis explained that lie had made an inspection of the country under review, and had been impressed with its potentialities as a timber growing area. He felt, however, that the representatives of the local' bodies should definitely assert themselves in the mailer. The Government would need some concrete expression of opinion from voters before it could he induced to .-.pend a great deal of money on a scheme that was almost purely a local one. A member suggesfed that the e u.’itv councils should lie inched i" co-operate. Captain Fills went mi to .-ay that lie had formulated a scheme of operations. the first step of which wain get a definite expression of' their desire to proceed with it from the local bodies, and then to present i: In the Prime Minister wilii the object of inducing him to promise assistance in (lie provision of an experimental section. As Dr. Cockayne had said, it would be cs-cntinl

to carry out certain experiment- on a plot of 200 or 30,0 acres io determine the expenditure and probable results. After that had been achieved the assistance could lie enlist - ed of the Rubiic Works and Lands and Survey Departments, and with the Agricultural Department acting, the work could'lie proceeded with, tie was sure that in five years everything would be found lo he satisfactorv.

The chairman concurred, observing that the scheme as outlined appeared to be an eminently practical

‘‘Han nothing be done without promise.from the Prime Minister? asked Mr Marshall.

Captain Ellis replied jlm.l the scheme was not of paramount importance to the Government as a national matter. Really it was of local importance, and a very definite advance would have to lie made by (he people interested.

Mr Marshall remarked that the question was one that had been put .before the Government repeatedly during the past ten years, but tho Prime Minister had not on any occasion done more than to say lie was sympathetic with the project. Captain Ellis said it was a very important question, and demanded attention, involving as ii did 100,000 acres of land. The Chairman observed that the planting of large areas of timber was certainly a national question. If it was merely, a matter of planting to prevent the sand from spreading, it would he a local matter no doubt, but with the dual purpose it was certainly a Dominion matter.

A member pointed out the value of afforestation in preventing the sand .spreading. In !lie recent, past many hundreds of valuable acres had been destroyed. The Chairman mentioned that most of the land was Government property, and it was not reasonable that any man should take it up as a business proposition, as‘fruition would- be so long deferred. The following resolutions were

then passed: — (1) ‘'That this conference strongly affirms the fact that the sand dune areas on the West Const of this Island should be afforested, and urges the Government to make an annual grant of £I,OOO , for five years for the purpose of enabling; an experimental station to be set up by the Forestry Department for demonstration purposes.” (2) “That the deputation from the various bodies interested interview the Prime Minister fo*r the purpose of impressing him with the importance of the suggestion.” A deputation was- then appointed l to wait on the Prime Minister at an

early date, consisting of the following':—Messrs K. AA\ Dalrymple (Wellington Provincial Farmers’ Union), 11. Y. Lethbridge (Rangjtikei County Council), G. McGre-< gor (Wanganui County Council), J. 11. Burnett County Council), G. 'Monk (Horowhenua County Council), AY. S. Penny (Manawatu County Council), G. L. Marshall (Manawatu Agricultural ami Pastoral Association), AY. H. Field, E. Newman, \f. D. Powdreil, J. A. Nash, AY. Yeitch, 0. Hawkon, AY. S. Glenn, M's.P. AYhy- bother making caJccs when there is such a good assortment at Perrcuu’s? *