AFFORESTATION SCHEME

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 January 1942, Page 2

AFFORESTATION SCHEME

BOROUGH CONSIDERING PLANS.

SEVERAL AREAS REGARDED AS SUITABLE.

An afforestation scheme is being considered by a special committee of the Masterton Borough Council, with a view to utilising several areas of borough land not of much use for other purposes. The committee will be reporting to the council at an early date regarding its proposals. It is likely that eucalypts will figure largely in any planting scheme. A start with planting is likely this season. There are several areas of borough land available for the planting of trees. One of the most extensive is the 120 acres included in Williams Park, Lansdowne. The Masterton Beautifying Society has recommended a plan for the improvement of this area, which is in two blocks, of about 80 and 40 acres respectively. It is stated that at least part of the land is admirably suited for planting timber trees, though any such scheme is likely to take account of the aesthetic viewpoint and not to interfere. with the unrivalled view of the Tararua Ranges and the Wairarapa Valley, which is obtainable from the crest of the hill in the smaller area. The Beautifying Society’s scheme makes provision for the planting of native as well as exotic trees. In addition the borough has an area of about 60 acres at Upper Plain which has been set aside as a waterworks reserve. At present the land is largely covered in gorse and blackberry and this area, it is stated, would be an excellent one for afforestation, provided protection could be given against fire. There are othei’ areas in the borough, including one in the Park, which could be planted under an afforestation scheme.