EGMONT FORESTS.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 362, 17 February 1937, Page 4

EGMONT FORESTS.

CONSERVATION PLAN.

Minister Ta Be Asked To Visit Taranaki.

A request from the Egmont National Park Board that an endeavour be made to arrange a nursery for forest trees and to endeavour to see that suitable young trees from the bueh were transplanted to the nureery so that they would be available for rejuvenation purposes In small areas requiring It from time to time was considered at the meeting of the East Committee last night, and it was resolved to request the Park Board to Invite the Minister in charge of State Forestry, Mr F, Langvtone, to visit Taranaki to discuss the conservation and preservation of the mountain forests.

The chairman, Mr T. R. Anderson, was of the opinion that on the lower slopes the older trees' would have to be replaced. In 50 or 60 years time natural regeneration v.buld bring about the restoration of deteriorating areas but it was not desirable to wait that time. Some of the trees were very old and the result was that there wat> a tremendous lot of windfalls. If something was not done there would be a lot of lor' grade wineberry and konini forest.

Fallen Timber.

Mr J. B .Richards said he was beginning to thing that fallen timber should be used. If fallen he could not see why it should not be used. If trees were left on the ground there was a growth of wine-berry and ths timber Was not much good for anything. Should It be necessary to make a track to get at the timber, then the track could be replantedMr Percy Thomson: It anything of that nature is undertaken we should have our own men to do the work. In the kauri forestf in the north a great deal of fallen, timber is removed.

Public Opinion,

“I am firmly in favour of removal but public opinion would not let you take out thp dead trees,” said Mr W. L. Kennedy. -

"If public opinion is wrong then the public has got to be told,” said Mr Richards."

Mr Percy Thomson said the New Zealand forett was different to' any other forest in that the moisture had to be retained oh the forest floor. There were any amount of tracks years ago at Palmer Road and rtfkJay there v.'as no sign of them, said Mr Richards.

Mr Richards caid that a few years ago he was very much disinclined to interfere with- die forest, but in those days there wtie o-.’y advisers such as eawuullers. Now. however, expert forestry officers wore available for consultation and advice.

Mr Thomsyn's motion to : nvlte the M'nfster In chrrge of State forests fo visit Taranaki was unanimous!)' approved.