The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. TUESDAY. JULY 13, 1909. PROSPECTING FOR ROADS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2552, 13 July 1909, Page 4

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. TUESDAY. JULY 13, 1909. PROSPECTING FOR ROADS.

The article which is .published in this issue by one of a party avhich recently journeyed from Tuparoa to Te Kaha and back is of very great interest to those concerned in the of the East Cape and Bay of Plenty districts. The party set out to ascertain the likelihood of a practicable route being discovered which would enable a short cut to be made between Te Kaha and Tuparoa, and they wero successful in learning that what at present constitutes a three days’ journey could, by means of a road over tho Ilaukumara range, be accomplished in one day. Such a route would, of course, prove of great utility, for it would bring the settlers of Opotiki and other portions of the Bay of Plenty into close communication with those of Northern Waiapu. At present the resident of the East Coast, bound for Opotiki, has to journey towards the East Cape and follow tho Coast line instead of being able to strike directly across country." Moreover, such a road would give access to some of the finest land in the Dominion, and i't seems to us that the Waiapu and Opotiki County Councils would be well advised to take up immediately the question of opening up this route and that they would be fully justified in seeking the. co-operation of the Government in the matter. Another important point raised by our contributor is tlie preservation of native bush in this undeveloped territory. New Zealanders are justly prpud of the infinite charm which is provided by the Native bush of Maoriland, for its beauties -are not only of the most fascinating nature, but-they are quite unique, and the same remarks apply with equal force to our Native birds. No one -who lias once been in the New Zealand primitive bush is likely to forget soon the subtle charm that is exercised by the loveliness and variety of the foliage and if anything wero necyled -to impress the experience more vividly in tho mind it is provided by the weird cries of the quaint birds which are- only found in our Native bush. The march of settlement must inevitably spell the destruction of existing forests, but it is not too much to ask that hero and there some patches shall be preserved to indicate that there is an artistic as well as a commercial sense in the community. Now is the time to take action in regard to the setting aside of portions of bush in country that is still in its virgin state, and the matter should be placed before the Government before indiscriminate burning has destroyed every vestige of tho natural landscape. The members of the party which made the recent exploration tour are to be congratulated upon their hardihood in attempting -it at this season of the vear and upon the successful outcome of their journey.