SAND DUNE RECLAMATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3787, 3 May 1928, Page 2

SAND DUNE RECLAMATION.

MINISTER. REVIEWS POSITION.

Sand dune reclamation is a costly business, according to statements made by the 'Commissioner of State Forests (Hon. O. J. Hawken) in the course of an interview with a “Dominion” representative on Tuesday.

The Minister explained that the sand dune work at Rangitikei had been undertaken by the Forestry Department as an experiment: “Practically the whole of the area, comprising approximately 3000 acres, has been planted with marram grass, and on that area the sand drifts have been stopped quite effectually,” said Mr. Hawken. “Thus a imenace to the surrounding land has been removed. In addition, about 500 acres of trees and 60 acres of flax have been planted. It is very doubtful, however, whether such land being so exposed and so close to the sea v level is suitable for growing timber as a commercial proposition, particularly when it is remembered, that other land much more suitable is available for that purpose. What is called the fore-dune has been raised to make a continuous break, and has been planted with sand grass. It is quite evident that a fore-dune can be raised without very much expense.

“We have the whole of the sand dunes in New Zealand under observation at the present time, and reports are being prepared with respect to some of the areas,” said the Minister. “We have found that, with planting marram grass, it was necessary to grow plants suitable for transplanting, and when you have a good supply of plants it is possible to plant sand drifts for 1 about £3 an acre. We found we could plant flax for about the same money. There is no doubt that the experiment at Rangitikei has given us a great deal of information as to how to handle drifting sand. “It is quite evident, however, that it is work that entails very considerable expenditure, and but for the facts that it stops the drift and the encroachment of sand on the better-class lands, the financial result would hardly justify expenditure. by the Department on any of the sand areas.”