ALLMAN SANCTUARY FOR BIRDS. A GOOD EXAMPLE.

Forest and Bird, Issue 51, 1 February 1939, Page 16

ALLMAN SANCTUARY FOR BIRDS. A GOOD EXAMPLE.

Under the will of the late Mr. George Allman an area of 29 acres at Bainesse, near Palmerston North, has been bequeathed to the Forest and Bird Protection Society, together with the residue of the whole estate. The Society does not, however, come into possession until the demise of certain beneficiaries who have a life interest in the estate.

These life interests may last for 30 years or more and, of course, until the end of that time, the Society can take no action in dealing with this property. The other part of the Allman Estate property is very valuable land on the Karere Road not far from Longburn. Each farm has a dwelling house and requisite farm buildings situated thereon. The Bainesse property has been inspected

by a sub-committee of the Society, and the members are of the opinion that the area is well suited for the late owner’s generous purpose, and that the residue of the estate will be sufficient to maintain it in satisfactory condition. At present it is merely a farm on the site of an old swamp, surrounded by grass-covered sand dunes in a horse-shoe shape. The committee is of the opinion that it could be made to function well in a very few years, especially as a refuge for waterfowl and swamp-inhabiting birds.

The regret is that sorely-pressed native ducks, bittern, pukeko and others cannot immediately have the advantage which such a sanctuary can give.