A PROTEST

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 142, 8 February 1932, Page 6

A PROTEST

NEW STOCK ROAD * PUTARURU CHAMBER AND PRESERVATION OF SCENERY DESTRUCTION OF.BUSH The suggestion. that a stock route should be construeted through the bush along White's Road between Putaruru and Mamaku has aroused considerable criticism in the Putaruru and Mamaku cli.-triet, cn the grounds that the construciion o£ this route with the burning off which it will entail, will destroy the virgin bush seenery in the neighbourhood. The Putaruru Chamber of Commerce has actively interested itself •in the matter, and has arranged for a party representative of Members of Parliament and interested local bodies to inspect the proposed route with a view to malcing representations to the Government. In a letter to Mr. C. H. Clinkard. M.P., setting out its views on the m'atter, the Chamber extended to the member for the district an invitation to be present when the route is inspected. Mr. Cl'nkard, however, owing to prior engagements, will not be able to attend but has written to the Chamber stating that while he is fully sympathetic with the aims of the Chamber in its endeavours to preserve natural scenery, he considers that in this instance a stock route is necessary and that the requirements of farmers and stock should come first. In its letter to Mr. Clinkard, the Association stated, inter alia: — "Eyesore For A1I Time" 'This Chamber understands it is likely that the Public Works Department in the near future will be engaging in the work of opening up for purposes of a stock route the road line known as White's Road oi* Leslie's Road and extending it as far as Mamaku. "In view of the fact that portion of the proposed road cuts through areas of almost virgin* bush, the Chamber is deeply concerned to see that the scenic properties of the bush are not destroyed. It is understood that unless very strong representations are made to the Department before the work is commenced, it is likely that a wide strip will be cut through the bush and fired, thus converting & potential beauty spot into an eyesore for all time. "The Chamber has therefore arranged for a party representative of Members of Parliament and of neighbouring and interested local bodies to inspect the proposed route on Tuesday next, 9th instant, with a view to making the necessary representations and having the natural beauty of the route preserved. A Contrast "As an illustration of the urgency of this matter we would point out the contrast which exists on the main Tirau-Rotorua highway between two portions of the road which passes through the bush. In the one known as Barker's Bush clearing has been done over a width oi* 30 feet only, and no burning done at all. Furthei on towards Rotorua the bush has been cleared for several ehains with most unpleasing results. "Tho New Zealnn'l Forestrv League has issued a bulletin on this sam subject, and has been requested to forward you a copy of same imniediately." Mr. Clinkard's Views In his reply to the AssociationV letter, Mr. Clinlcard stated that In had been agitating for a stock route in this area since 1908 when he had been chairman of the Mamaku Progress League. Recently, he had suggested that the work might be carried out by the unemployed, but so far he had received no information as to whether the suggcstion would be adopted. While expressing the hope that nothing would be done to deface the bush near the raihvay, and stressing his appreeiaticn of the value of scenery preservation, Mr. Clinkard pointed out that the preservation of scenery along a route which would be followed almost exclusively by drovers, would not serve any really useful purpose, while on the other hand the provision of a proper stock route was an important matter to the farmers and stoclc men of the district. Mr. Clinkard also pointed out that the instance quoted at Barker's Bush, occurred on a tourist road and one along which stock were not driven Drovers required ample space for their stock, and as the proposed stock route would be a soft earth road, the sun and wind must be let in. In conclusion Mr. Clinkard stated that while he did not desire to appear unsympathetic to the representations. he considered that in this case, the requirements of the farmers and the stock should come first.