THE BUSH RESERVE.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 619, 9 May 1876, Page 3

THE BUSH RESERVE.

Snt, — I »cc a worthy " Hamilton Ratepayer" takes me to task for my remarks" anant the Government bushes, terming them vague and inconsistant; further, that I accusn those agitating for tbeir reservation as being prompted thereto bj •elfiah raoUvet, Allow me, Mr Editor, one briaf word in reply. First, my remarks were, I thought lucid enough. It was their proper conserration instead of their rapid <l«struction that I advocated througlvout, aad if to " let the treps stand" I had added "as much as possible." "H R" would hare found it diffloult to misconstrue my meaning. With regard to my remark as to tin motives actuating those who took action in the matter, let the fucti spoak for tueruflelvei. A number of letters appeared tn your paper, the whole burden of which was ''-do not take our firewood aud fenc ng material away," not a word aoout the utility of the bushes at regards health and climate, (the tneers of " II X" upon which subject* only prore his uufitnets to mite upon thn matter.) l£ tins htj -was cot a selfish one 1 frhc-uld like ■" H fi" to inform me what construct! ielfishnesa,— not but tUat such * tentiment pervades the breust of everyone to a greater or less extent. <l H II" terms my proposal that settlers should he compelled io plant trees upon their own land, an arbitrary one. So also is the compulsory payment o1o 1 money for Edur-ational and Governmental purposes arbitrary Yet who will say «uch is not necessary towards the wellbeing of the community at large. The same reasons will justify the compulsory planting of trees ; for what more importune titan the haalth and comfort of a nation, and I hold that nothing tends to conduce to •uuh, more thin a wise and discriminate planting of forreit trees wht-re they are required. The personal dnuendoe* "H B" throws out at the conclusions of his letter are in very b*d taste. That a person resident m that erstwhile hotb<d of Government loafers, hangers on, *nd pensioners, should presuma to hint that others have been guilty of receiving like favours, is the very height of effrontery, and oertaiuly, whether as regards Government busti, or Government money, my oaodncl would, I trust, compare favourably with* "Hamilton Ratepayers. " —I am, 4c, WJ. Te Rahn, May Btb, 1876.