SCENIC RESERVE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 24 March 1926, Page 4

SCENIC RESERVE.

.. AT. PEEL FOREST. REQUEST TO THE BOROUGH COUNCIL. The chairman of the Peel Forest Scenic Reserve has written to-- tho i imnru Borough Conned as follows: : A|dijoin.:ng the Peel Forest .scenic reserve, and. forming part of tho hushclad''gullies anti, spurs of Peel Forest ai;;; t;vo sections of privately; owned, land. The owners have ofloretD: tbc-lii; for sale to-tlio-Government, aiul the Peel Forest scenic- Board, realising the' importance.7qf : yprescrying this part of Peel Forest intact, for the benefit ot visitors to the reserve, strongly support the purchase,. I therefore desire to put before you .the reasons for acquiring these"’sections,' ami particulars of negotiations, so fa.r as. they have gone, hoping -that your.-.practical support will bo obtained. . -

The Peel Fdrcst scenic reserve consists of 1200 acres on the.; Mopes of Mount Peel. It is the‘finest natural mixed forest, with magnificent specimens of totani, white and black pino ami a great variety of other native trees and shrubs and ferns, .now remaining in Canterbury. Its nearness to the districts of Timaru and Ashburton lias of recent years made it one of the most popular holiday resorts. Motor ears' come there in hundreds' bn public holidays. Some few years’ ago a. block of privately owned land adjoining the reserve was subdivided for building sites, and'many holiday lints have been built. The number of those is likely to increase, greatly. There can be no doubt that in the-years to como Peel Forest will bo one of the most favoured resorts for nature lovers in Canterbury.

Reference to the map plan will make clear the need for the acquisition of the two areas of land mentioned. It will he seen that they cut right into tho scenic reserve. Through one of them runs one of tho spurs for climbing ALount l’ccl, and through the other, tho track to a beautiful waterfall and wooded gully. The timber on these sections is of considerable value for fencing material and firewood.. Tho owners feel that they cannot afford to lirAl them in their present state, and if the Government does not acquire them for scenic purposes they propose selling thorn for tho value of the timber. If these . sections arc cleared of timber not only would tho scenic: beauty of this part of the reserve bo greatly depreciated, hut there would be increased danger from fire and added difficulty in keeping stock out of tho reserve.

‘The Government lias voted £2OO for the purchase of about 10 acres Mr Lorgolly’s section (east). A[r Evans lias offered to sol] his ssctiou of about .20 j acres at £2O an acre. The Minister in j charge of scenic preservation has stated that probably £IOO would bo voted towards the purchase of this section, provided the Pool .Forest scenic board, can obtain tho balance of £3OO by pub’ie subscription and local body contributions. It is hoped that the Govern- ; ment may see its way to provide ,a £1 for £l, subsidy on moneys collected.-' I It is in order that at least £2OO may !. bo obtained that tho Peel Forest Scenic j Board appeals to you for support and j contribution. This application is being made to tho following :—-Ala,yor Geraldine. Mayor of Ashburton, Mayor;;, of Tcmuka, chairmaiOt)of, the ;, XahyetsyCounty Council, ehairnisrfi of.the Gerald dine County Council find,_tb'e chairman" of tho Ashburton County Council. |

Tho T’invmi -Borough, -Council, their meeting on 'Monday night, decided to hold tI(Q matter over for .consideration. : . >