FOREST PRESERVATION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 251, 13 March 1913, Page 4

FOREST PRESERVATION.

Sir Kider I laggard, who is at present with us, is a linn believer in forest preservation, and lias uttered some truths regarding Xew Zealand's duty in tins important matter Unit we hope will lie taken seriously to heart by the legislators and people of this country. Sir Rider will be interested to know that we have had, and still have, thank good ness, a number of patriotic and farsighted men who have reserved for I'aranaki and posterity some of our most beautiful lnish. To-day lie will have the pleasure of seeing New Zealand's bush in all its pristine glory in the Mountain Reserve, which covers 72,.">1J.j acres. and the Ivaitake ranges alongside of (5800 acres. There arc also dozens of other scenic and other reserves, from a few to a thousand acres ill extent, scattered throughout the province, lie will also be interested to know that the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce and the Tourist and Expansion League have been endeavouring for some time past to get the. {government to conserve the magnificent bush on the banks of the llokau. Only partial success lias so far attended 'their ell'orts. The successive (Tovernments have been slow to move in tiie matter, but there is reason to believe, that the necessary effort will now be made to reserve what is left of this unrivalled river bush scenery. A correspondent, "A Lover of Scenery," has written us on this subject, ami after mentioning what has been done locally, he says:—''Constant viligam-e is absolutely neeessarv ill this matter, for already there are signs that there are always vandals in every community who are ready to destroy the good work which has already been accomplished. It is only a few months ago that a suggestion was made through our local press thai; the Patua Ranges, consisting of IiSOO acres should be diverted to settlement purposes. May such desecration be long postponed, for the day will come when the value of these priceless assets will be universally assessed at their true value, i am not aware whether Sir Rider Haggard's views upon this i|iiestion have been published in our local papers, lint if not, I trust you will kindly reproduce them for the benefit of your readers, and remaui e.iigiaeen in their memories for all time."