AN IDEAL AREA

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 510, 13 November 1928, Page 13

AN IDEAL AREA

SCHOOL OF FORESTRY AUCKLAND’S MANY CLAIMS Many of the advantages of having a New Zealand ScUool of Forest ry at Auckland were stressed in a report received from Professor H. Corbin at yesterday’s meeting of the Auckland University College Council. At present there are two schools — one in Auckland and the other in Canterbury. There is a proposal to establish one school for the whole* of New Zealand. Professor Corbin reported that north of Auckland was a vast area of “gum land" which on the higher ranges owing to erosion must eventually come under forest crop. This crop would probably most profitably be a eucalyptus crop with valuable shadebearing species. Further, within easy reach of Auckland were valuable and extensive indigenous forests. There were kauri forests at Waipoua and in the Waitakeres. The City Council has about 20,000 acres of prime kauri forest with trees more uniformly distributed over the area than those at Waipoua. The University at Auckland had a very valuable forest station within one hour’s distance by train or motor from the university. This station had in it practically all the forest tree specieof any economic importance together with many other very Interesting species. The college had a very extensive area of land situated at Huntly and near to the railway station. In the vicinity or Auckland were such interesting things as kauri logs held in by booms previous to being sawn. Auckland bad the advantage of being able to inspect and study utilisation in factories working in wood and other forest products. It was considered that Auckland with its many advantages as a large and progressive city, and the fact that the students at the university number approximately 1,240, was a unique centre for the training of the future foresters who must gain a wide and thorough training in all aspects of forestry.

It was decided to request the Government to settle the problem as early as possible and to forward the report for departmental perusal.