PEEL FOREST.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 13 April 1926, Page 2

PEEL FOREST.

POPULAR SCENIC RESORT. EXTENSION PROPOSED. Adjoining the Peel Forest, scenic reserve, anil forming part of the bushclad gu lies and spurs of Peel -Forest, are two sections of privalol.v-owncd land. The owners have offered them for sale to the Government, and the Peel Forest Seeuie Board, who stress Ilie importance of preserving that part of Peel Forest intact for the benefit of visitors and future generations, stronglv supported the purchase in a letter received at vesterday’s meeting of Hie Geraldine County Council. On behalf of the Board, the chairman (Dr. H. T. Tl. Aelaml) wrote pointing out that, Peel Forest, which consisted of 1200 acres on the slopes of Mount Peel, with its magnificent specimens of totara, white and b’ack pine, and a groat variety of other native trees, shrubs and ferns, was the finest natural mixed forest in South Canierbury, and with its proximity to Timaru and Ashburton, constituted a very popular holiday resort. He stated that the Board was particularly an : xious to acquire the sections, cspeciallv as tliev cut right into the reserve, and that failing purchaso they would be sold for timbcr-feliing purposes. Providing that, the balance of £3OO could be obtained bv public subscription,, tho Minister in charge of scenic - preservation had offered to obtain a vote of £IOO towards the purchase of the 20nerc section. The Government- lmd idready voted £2OO for the purchase of the ten-acre block, and it was hoped that a .01 for £1 subsidy could he obtained on all money collected, in order that at least £2OO could he raised, the Board appealed for the Council’s support and contribution. Mr Tripp said that the Board had already received a donation of £2O from the Levels County Council, and booed to raise the required amount by public: subscription. An attempt .was being made to have tiro Reotsburn Domain Board and the Scenic Reserve Board amalgamated, and in that case the members won't! he appointed by the various local bodies concerned. It was unanimously agreed that the proposal was one that should receive the support of the Council, and the sum of £SO was granted.