Forest & Bird SUMMER CAMP

Forest and Bird, Volume 15, Issue 2, 1 May 1984, Page 12

Forest & Bird SUMMER CAMP

by

Member

Olga Zeinert

’ Kauaeranga, Coromandel 30 January-5 February 1984

The Coromandel Branch were the hosts at this year’s National Camp, held at the Kauaeranga Christian Camp about 5kms from Thames. 78 members attended, coming from as far as Auckland in the north, and from Dunedin to the south. The accommodation was in bunkrooms with the dining-cum-meeting hall situated in the middle. A few campers tented and there were two Caravans. Chris Cooke, chairman of the Coromandel Branch, was Camp Director, ably assisted by Peter MacMillan as Trips co-ordinator, and other members of his committee. On arrival, we ‘"‘checked in"’ and on completing the necessary registration, each camper was given a name tag, made in genuine kauri by one of the committee. As the theme of the camp was ‘‘the kauri’, this was most appropriate. Lex and Lyn Greenhalgh were in charge of the catering, and amply provided for our inner needs. Monday evening. Our programme began with a welcome address by Councillor C. L. Robertson on behalf of the Thames Borough Council. Following this, Chris Cooke introduced Mr John Carter, one of the two Forest Rangers responsible for the Coromandel State Forest Park, who spoke on many aspects and issues connected with his work. Exotic logging, now almost completed, planting of kauri seedlings raised at Sweetwaters Nurseries in Northland. the control of noxious animals (both goats and opossum), the Coromandel Management Plan currently under review with the Forest Advisory Board and the threat caused by the presence of the Crusader Mining Co. Refreshments and general discussion brought the first night to a close. Tuesday. Some gentle showers during the night and the morning dawned rather damp, but by 9 am the clouds began to lift and two bus loads went on their way, one to Piranui Trail, and the other up the coast to Waiomu Valley and a stand of kauris. | chose the latter. Leader was Wally Gilmer, and two members of the local branch, Edith Geddes and Dorothy, who were able to supply botanical and local knowledge along the track. Five stalwarts, including two

women, parted company from the main group to do an 8 hour hike to Boom’s Flat, (but took 12 hours) they were amply rewarded with magnificent scenery. Birds seen: bellbirds, tuis, silver-eyes, kingfisher, grey-warblers, shags, terns, kaka. It was a great joy to see so many Kauris in various stages of growth. The trip up the valley was very interesting and included six crossings of the stream. Evening programme. A welcome on behalf of the Christian Camp community by Mr Greenhalgh, who spoke on his work with young pecple. Then followed an illustrated talk on the Coromandel coastline, off-shore islands, and the interior by Doug Johansen. Wednesday. Fine and clear after more showers during the night. Two trips were scheduled. One: The Coromandel coast, stopping at the Tararu Arts Centre, anda visit to meet Rei Hamon and see his creative art work. Lead by Tai Turoa. Two: Kauaeranga Valley, with Guy Alack. | chose trip two and as we wound around and further up the valley, many panoramic views were seen. One of much interest, was a cutting through the hillside on the valley opposite, the site of an old tram-line, where some of the trestles were still standing. Our destination was the swingbridge across the river to view the distant Billygoat Falls, and see the natural regeneration of the kauri forest. Returning, we visited the Kauaeranga Education

Camp, acentre run primarily for the use of student groups, scouts, etc, where we were shown the water-wheel which generated the lighting power for the buildings. Also, to the delight of the botanists, a large patch of Fuchsia procumbens in flower. Lunch was had at Hofmann’s Pool, and several members enjoyed a swim in the cool clear waters. A short nature walk along the bank revealed many young kauris, and an orchid, Dendrobium cunninghamil in flower. Then we visited the Forest Service Information Centre, with its instructive displays, old photographs of mining, gum-digging and logging and other artifacts. Evening. The speaker was Mr Gary Taylor, of the Environmental Defence Society, assisted by Mr Clive Monds. He spoke on the mining prospecting being done on the eastern coast of the peninsula, with particular reference to the Crusader Mineral Mining Co which has a licence to mine underground near Waiomu. The Society feels that careful consideration must be given to the Mining Act and its Amendment of 1981 before any further mining is considered. The danger from stream pollution, ‘"‘acid rain’ falling,, and erosion from excavations, could seriously affect our forests. Much interested discussion followed. Mr Jim Cureen brought the evening to a close by showing his slides of Antarctica, where he had spent six months with a work party assisting the Australian and New Zealand Contingent working on animal and scientific surveys. Birds heard during the night: morepork. Thursday. Trip one: Coromandel Coast; two: Kauaeranga Valley; three: Broken-hills Goldmine. Leader Doug Johansen. This trip | chose, partly nostalgia, for an uncle had mined on the West Coast after World War I. We travelled in cars through Kopu and towards Pauanui, and met up with our leader. From the roadside, Doug carefully pointed out the plan of our ascent, and sites of various workings, long since demolished. Then we began the climb up the hill face, and were able to see in place

the line of Kauri seedlings planted by the Forest Service, some now over ametre high, and looking very healthy. One rare tree seen, was Dacrydium kirkii, just commencing its adult foliage. Just before reaching the mine entrance, we descended into an old crater, now overgrown with grasses and shrubs, and were fortunate to hear the call of the shy fernbird. Doug had provided us with hard hats, so entering the mine shaft was no problem. Before long we were able to see the glow-worms above our heads, and see the rocky cavernous chambers, opening before us. At an old well shaft, leading to an opening far below, Doug demonstrated the distance by heaving a rock downwards, and by counting seconds (varied, 17 to 20) we could hear it banging and thumping its way to the bottom. Lunch was had by the river, where we were joined by tuis and bellbirds and rosellas. Doug introduced to our diet: totara berries, curled fern-fronds, and delicious billy tea. On the return, we visited the site of some old batteries, and some remains of early miner’s dwellings. Along the bush walk, there were masses of Dawsonia superba, almost 60cm high. In the evening the judging of the Moira Cox Memorial Slide Competition, and the Society’s Bird Slide Competition took place. The standard of photography was very high. Following this, a film from the National Film Library, on the Kauri was shown, a very moving and historical documentary. Friday. Trip one: Firth of Thames and seabirds; two Waiomu Valley. On this particular day several of us played ‘‘wag"’ and went into Thames, for my part, | visited the local Thames Museum in the old Methodist Church which held much of the area’s early history. Evening. Mrs Mary Barry and Rod Aldridge, from Tauranga spoke on the Kaimai-Mamaku State Forest Management Plan covering the past 10 years of struggle to obtain protection for the narrow strip of remaining forest separating the cultivated area of the Bay of Plenty, from the deforested expanse of the Waikato. Moisture is retained in the mosses covering the forest floor, and should the forest be removed, agricultural ‘‘drought’’ could follow. Also discussed, was the Government's Kauri Policy Plan, and members were urged to have their submissions on this important issue sent to the Conservator of Forests by the end of February. Interested discussion and questions followed. Saturday, our last day of trips. After breakfast, the Camp photograph was taken by George Braithwaite. Trip one: Dickie’s Flat and Waitawheta; two: Firth of Thames and the Mangatangi Dam. There was a slight drizzle, which soon cleared. The journey to the mud-flats, presented a contrast in scenery to that of previous days. The chairman of the Miranda Trust had already set up his telescope, and we had fine views of many waders, godwits, pied oystercatchers, gulls, terns, wrybills, knots, pied stilts, shags and white-fronted heron, some of the godwits were developing breeding plumage. We also watched a skylark descend gently to her nest on the field

beside the bus, and swallows flying to and fro. Lunch stop was made at Waharau Reserve with a short nature walk afterwards, mostly ferns, some fine specimens of C. medullaris and C. dea/bata. Then on to Mangatangi to view the large earth dam constructed for the Auckland Region. This man-made dam was about 3m below normal level. From the look-out we could see a fine stand of kauri planted about 60-70 years ago.

In the evening, campers combined to produce a concert of great enthusiasm, and variety, to bring the week to a very happy conclusion. ye