MORE VIGILANCE.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 325, 5 January 1937, Page 2

MORE VIGILANCE.

PRESERVING BUSH. Motorists Should Care For Landscape. “With tile great increase in motor ownership and the extent to which camping has grown, those concerned with preserving the native bush and bird life, and caring for the beauty of the landscape, have increased thenvigilance, and it is well for motorists to know that they run the risk of prosecution for destroying, despoiling or removing native shrubs and flowers in the reserves, parks or camping and picnicking places throughout the country,” says the latest message of the Automobile Association (Canterbury). The warning has equal application throughout New Zealand. "The guardianship of the beauty places of the Dominion is in the safe keeping of ths average motorist, but for those who are not average there is the necessary control exercised by paid and honorary rangers, some of the honorary rangers being automobile association patrols in. some districts. i "In several places in the Dominion there have been prosecutions of motorists for removing clematis and other flowers from the native bush. The controlling authorities are determined to put an end to any form of vandalism. “Some people have a curious notion that they have certain rights on reserves, but those who use the beauty places of the land have nothing more than privileges. They are permitted to view and admire, if they wish, but they have no right to damage, remove or destroy any tree, plant, shrub or flower. "Moreover, they must be extremely careful that a carelessly thrown cigarette end or a badly constructed fireplace does not cause damage by flje. “Where special fireplaces are provided they must be used. Where it is necessary and safe to build a tire the embers should be smothered, so that if a wind springs up there will be no danger from fire igniting the dry grass and spreading.”