TREMENDOUS KAURI

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 247, 9 January 1928, Page 14

TREMENDOUS KAURI

“LIKE THE SIDE OF A CLIFF” NATURALISTS TOUR WAIPOUA Crawling up the bole of a mighty kauri until he looked like a fly on the side of a house, an expert tree-climber fitted with spiked boots gave a remarkable exhibition of agility and skill in the Waipoua kauri forest during the holidays. nPHIS tree, the largest seen by a party of Auckland naturalists, who visited the forest, was about 18 feet in diameter and it towered up to a great height, although the impression of size was slightly spoilt by the fact that the first branch was only 40 feet from the ground. At close quarters, according to Mr. V. F. Fisher, one of the party, the bole was like th© side of a cliff. The other members were Messrs. J. R. Crosley and R. V. Shepherd. Time did not allow a thorough investigation over such an extensive area, although the party made the most of their 10-day trip. Through the courtesy of the State Forest Service permission was granted to camp alongside the Waipoua River. The weather was perfect, except for one wet morning when the plan for the day was to follow th© Waipoua River toward its source. As this necessitated wading at frequent intervals a little rain did not cause any extra inconvenience. Once off the beaten Forest Road to Waimamaku, the only paths to follow were horse tracks about one foot wide, • which as often as not were almost completely overgrown with vegetation. The predominating feature was the # kauri, though the tall taraire with its* white trunk was more plentiful. In places the kauri gave way to rimu or totara and at lower levels to kahikatea. Many fine specimens of kauri wer© seen averaging from five to 10 feet, though toward the end of the visit the party guided by Hau Te Wako, one of the rangers, had the pleasure of viewing a,t close quarters a massive tree about 18 feet in diameter. BIRD LIFE PLENTIFUL Bird life, which Included tuis, kakas, pigeons, moreporks, fantails, grey warblers, shining cuckoos and other small birds, was fairly plentiful. Unfortunately the party did not have the good fortune to see any kiwis, though they were informed there were numbers to be seen. Plant life in its never-ending variety kept th© party interested, several species new to the wanderers being found. Filmy ferns which usually In this forest show up to advantage were looking rather parched owing to the lack of rain. The forest road was followed as far as the Wairau River, where the party branched off and followed the river for some miles, eventually leaving it and heading for Pawhakatutu. In this region some fine specimens were seen, although the forest road itself was rather disappointing. All the forestry officials with whom the party came in contact from Mr. F. J. Perham, the ranger in charge, down, gave them all information required and took a keen interest in their welfare generally. The impression gained after the extensive tour was that here was a unique piece of forest, and a wonderful heritage which should be preserved for all time. Undoubtedly Waipoua is an asset which did not belong to one generation. It belongs to generations of New Zealanders yet unborn, as one of its most priceless and irreplaceable possessions.