Taupo man made top NZ watchdog

Taupo Times, Volume 23, Issue 46, 11 June 1974, Page 13

Taupo man made top NZ watchdog

and strongest conservation organisation in New Zealand," said Mr Jerram. And the society is also influential in Government circles. "In the main, Government departments request our views on any matters concerning the environment but they don't necessarily take our advice," said Mr Jerram. He believes the society is a spearhead behind which all other conservation groups can gather. "Lord Porritt said in Auckland at the branch's 25th anniversary that conservationists spoke with many voices and that because of this our impact

was diminished." At the meeting in Palmerston North last week the Minister of the Environment, Mr Walding, made a similar statement. Two years ago an association was formed from all conservation groups in the country. "All the various societies were supposed to join but it turned out that it failed terribly," said Mr Jerram. "The main proportion of the funds to establish the association came from our own society." He believed the only alternative to such an organisation was the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society. Since his retirement Mr Jerram ' has spent time overseas. "I am convinced there is

no country in the world which offers as good a living or as happy an environment as New Zealand." Mr Jerram, a society member for 30 years, was born in Wellington in 1912 and from 1950 to 1952 was deputy mayor of Eastbourne. He is a past chairman of the Auckland branch of the society and for many years served as a councillor and executive member. Since his retirement in 1972 he has lived in Taupo on a property he bought in 1946. He now works as air officer at Taupo airport. And of the environmental problems facing Taupo "I have not yet been approached about any," said Mr Jerram.