The Daily News. FRIDAY, JULY 24, 1903. THE ROTOKARE DOMAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 173, 24 July 1903, Page 2

The Daily News. FRIDAY, JULY 24, 1903. THE ROTOKARE DOMAIN.

The rapid pissing of the Rotokare Domain Act Repeal Bill is particularly satisfactory, not only because it crowns with success tbe eff rts of those who were desirous cf saving that Domain from spoliation, but because it points to tbe fact that the members of the Fouse, irrfspeosive of place or pirty, |are unanimous in their desire to preserve some of tbe natural scenic beauty for which New Zealand is so famous, and wbich is so rapidly disappearing. The p.ompt manner in which the Government came to the rescue, on the matter being brought under their notice by the local Scenery Preseivation Society, is beyond all praise, and the cordial and solid support of the members of the House is equally commendable. There was absolutely to difference of opinion on the desirability of passing the measure, although there was in respect to some of the details. There wbb some inclination to be a little harsh towards the Hawera Borough Council, but we are glad to tee that the good sense of the H use resisted this, and the Hawera Borough Council simply returns what they have received. This is as it should be, because although there is little doubt the Borough Council acted unwisely, we do not believe they were culpable, and they assisted as far as they were abl* to remedy the matter as soon as they realised the position. Parliament-, which made the blunder of passing the Act under which the Hawera Borough Council took actinn in letting the Ressrve, should find the me ney to undo and repair, as far as possible, the consequences of their ill-considered action. A word of praise is certainly due to tbe Taranaki Scenery Preservation Society for the energy end activity displayed by them in bringing the matter under the notice of thß°Go varnment and getting them to realise the necessity for prompt action. The chairman (Mr Skinner) and the secretary (Mr Oollis) left nothing undone to preserve this domain to tha district-. In this they were materially help d by the Commissioner of Crown Lwd? who used nil the influence in his power on thiir behalf. When one looks back at the long years during which Messrs C. Govetr, Skinner, Oollis, Newmw, Hughes, and a few others worked' without fee or reward, to incu'eate a love of the natural beauties of the colony and preserve from destruc im those features which, one* gone, c:n never be replaced, the district, and in the whole colony ba* every reason So be grat.ful to them. Ii must be re-' membered also tha l ; this was at a time when tbe chief desire w»s to ant down ind burn or in some way get rid of the native bush wi'h <he rntslnken idea ;hat improvements were being effected. Hardly any part of tho colony is n<.w without its Scenery Preservation Society and it is only fair to claim (hit, bey have sprurgfr; ni or resulted from he parent Society in New Plymouth. .6 is extremely grat iying to 2nd tublio opinion so well educated as is videnced by the rapid pa-inge of (h? lotokare Domain Act Repeal Bi'l hrough both Houses of Parliament.