NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Taihape Daily Times, 30 April 1918, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

AFFORESTATION. NEW PORTFOLIO CREATED. WELLINGTON, this day. The Ministry of Forestry, to which it is announced Sir Francis Bell has been appointed, is a new Portfolio, the creation of which was foreshadowed by the Premier recently in response to respresentations of the Forestry League, who urged this should bb the ,first step towards the proper utilisation of the timber resources of the Dominion.

The idea of reafforestation with native bush does appeal to Mr H_ D. M. Haszard, Commissioner of Crown Lands for Southland, who recently gave the following statement of his theory: About October of last year he had occasion to visit Dusky Sound, and while there visited the spot -which Captain Cook had cleared in 1773 for the purpose of planting vegetables, which he thought-would thrive in New Zealand’s climate. The spot —a quar-ter-acre —is still quite distinct from the bush around it and though cleared 150 years ago, there is not a tree on it which could be used for timber. THE GREY SEAT. GREYMOUTH, this day. There is nothing definite yet as to who may oppose Mr. Holland for the Grey seat. The three opponents previously announced have adopted the same attitude and withdrawn to avoid vote splitting. A hurried preliminary meeting was held at Greymouth yesterday, presided over by the Mayor, at which Labour other than Federation was represented. It was decided to wait on Mr. T. E. Coates to-day with a view to his remaining in the contest. Mr. R. Wilson’s position is that he has placed himself at the disposal of the electors, whilst Mr. Kerr’s withdrawal has been announced from Wellington. Mr. Coates has been out of town for some days and it is not known what his attitude will be. Karr-haying since made the way for the .first-named, who is expected to return,fppm his .farm at Kopara today. . Meanwhile. . the Labour Party lead in organisation work. Mr. Holland fjres the first shot at Greymouth on Thursday nexL; ;