FUTURE OF WAIPOUA STATE FOREST

Rotorua Morning Post, Issue 5299, 11 January 1947, Page 5

FUTURE OF WAIPOUA STATE FOREST

Mr. Skinner Says Timber Available For All Iime WELLINGTON, last night. In view of the recent .cri.icism of the policy adopted hy the Forest Service in its control of the Waipoua

State Forest, the Commissioner of State Forests, Mr. C. F. Skinner, has said it was desired to make known the proposals concerning the future of the forest. Much of the eritieism had come from persons who had never seen Waipoua, or who had no knowledge of kauri and its habits. ' On the other hand, the State Forest Service, in framing its policy, • had been guided by its experience and observations of the kauri. The policy

was not based on guesswork, but on facts and observa'tions made over a long period.' Under the present arrangement, a portion of the forest will be left undisturbed, exeept for the removal of dead or dying trees. In the opinion of the New Zealand Institutc of Fovesters, an independent professional l>ody, Ihe removal of this dead and dying timber will ereate more favourable conditions for the regeneration of the kauri, and it is in accord: with fundamental and universally accepted principles. The area will be so seleeted as to adjoin the State highway,, thus preserving the scenic value cf the for- | est. The balauce of the forest is to be worked under a long-term plan, providing for the removal of mature trees. The growtli of ycung kauri s and other species will be orcouraged, and in this way the forest should yield timber in regular quamities l'or all time.