RECLAIMING SAND DUNES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2593, 14 June 1923, Page 3

RECLAIMING SAND DUNES.

FORESTRY DEPARTMENT’S OPERATIONS.

INTERESTING EXPERIMENTS

On Saturday a visit was paid by Mr J. Linklater, M.P., to the scene of the Forestry Department’s opera I ions in reclaiming the sand dunes north of Oroun Downs. Interviewed by a “Standard” reporter, Mr Linklater made some interesting observations on the work now in progress. “In company with Mr Ken Dalrymple, of Bulls,” he said, “I spent a very interesting day inspecting the different experiments that are being carried out by the department in connection with the controlling and reclamation of sand dunes. This work was started in May, 1921, and very good progress has been made. Tlie block of land on which operations are being carried on is Government reserve, 2,850 acres of which has been fenced. This reserve is reached by travelling the Sanson road until you come to the Puki Puki road, north of Oroua Downs, which terminates about 3$ miles from tlie const.

“Much of this reserve, close to the sea front, is almost pure sand, and it is bn those areas the Forestry men. under Mr Stride, are concentrating their efforts. Marram grass is used in planting the sand areas, and it is proving very effective in holding the sand together. Tlie idea is to plant the drifting sand in order to hold it, and then, later on, to plant trees. “Fore dunes are being built up near the sea coast in order to stop the sand drifting from the ocean beach. Flax, attached to a wire, was used at first to obstruct the drift, but recently scrub lias taken its place with much better results. A nursery for the purpose of trying out different trees on the sandy area* has been cultivated near the camp, and here many varieties of trees are to be seen in different stages of development.

“I am quite sure that in future vears this will be a very valuable reserve, la-cnn.se there is no doubt about trees of commercial value growing well on it.

“\Ve saw some Oregon pine trees, for installed, that had made quite good growth, and 45,000 trees of different species ■null be planted next year. This land, which is valued at only 8s fid to-day will have a value very bard to estimate when it is covered by valuable, forests. This land is typical of many thousands of acres along the West Coast, which, if treated in a proper manner, w mid not only prove of value in keeping the said drifts from covering good grazing land, but would also provide ample timber for the use of coming generations.”

In conclusion, Mr Linklater said that he wished In express his hearty thanks to Air Stride, who is in charge of the work, and also to Mr Daliyinplc for the opportunity of seeing at; first hand what was being done on this reserve.