THE TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK. AND HEATHER.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 May 1921, Page 7

THE TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK. AND HEATHER.

“THE PEST TO ECONOMIC PROGRESS.” (To the Editor.) Sir, —One serious aspect of the question that has hitherto received insufficient attention is the danger to the farming community of the heather in New Zealand. This danger is dreaded by Captain Macintosh Ellis, Director of the State Forest Service, who describes heather as one of the greatest pests to economic progress in Scotland. The following are extracts from hie letters to the Tararua Tramping Club and to the General Manager of the Tourist Department (the publication of which he has authorised): —“I might say that in principle I am very much against the introduction of heather, particularly in this country. Previous to coming to New Zealand it was my duty and privilege to travel over a considerable part of the highlands of Scotland on foot, and I must -say that one of the greatest pests to economic progress in that beautiful land is heather. It is a persistent vagabond that can establish itself on almost every conceivable site and location. . . This plant may become as serious a menace to New Zealand as the rabbit has proven to be. It will find a receptive site in New Zealand, and if its growth encouraged for aesthetic or sentimental reasons our farmers will have to reckon with a serious factor in pastoral farming.” Captain Macintosh Ellis heartily agrees with the following resolution, transmitted to him by the Tararua Tramping Club:—“The executive of the Tararua Tramping Club desires to call the attention of the Government to the danger to the native flora of the Tongariro National Park caused by the planting of heather, lupin and foxglove in the park and on Government lands adjacent, and respectfully suggests that instructions should be given for the discontinuance of such planting and for the eradication of all foreign plants, that the park and military training ground adjoining be made a sanctuary for New Zealand flora and fauna, and that a resident caretaker or ranger be appointed for the park, with instructions to prohibit any planting except under Government instructions.”—l am, etc., W. H. FIELD, President, Tararua Tramping Club.