PASSING OF THE KAURI.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3192, 11 April 1911, Page 2

PASSING OF THE KAURI.

SCHEME OF REAFFORESTATION

The passing of the Kauri is generally regarded as being an actuality which cannot be obviated, but a new phase of the question lias been voiced by Mr. Hector Norman Simson, who in his extensive travels throughout North Auckland has directed close attention to the subject. He is convinced that the kauri can easily lie cultivated, and is satisfied that 75 years from the time of planting the-,trees will become a marketable commodity and a realisable asset. His deductions have been made after close study and conversation with reliable men engaged in the timber industry, and ’he contends that as the State is now. committed to a scheme of forestry it is far better to plant indiginous growth, which, in the case- of kauri, at the expiration of the time stated would have a market value of at least £5 per tree. Moreover, Mr. Simson avers that at three years of age kauri trees commence to exude gum. At paparoa be has exemined a tree 45 years old on which there were good coatings of resin, and is prepared to point out thousands of young trees in the Knipara district which could be utilised for forestry purposes. He maintains that a scheme of kauri plantations is neither of that figurative, chimerical character such as lias been frequently placed before the people of the Dominion, and that if it were carried out by the State would ease taxation in a large degree, especially if considered in conjunction with Sir J. G. Ward’s project of extinguishing the national debt in 75 years, and under expert control would resolve itself into a sound business reality. In the Wairoa and other districts there are many kauri trees of 50 years of. age which have attained a. heiirht nf 40ft and a girth of 4ft, and thev free!" exude gum. and whsn. over that age Mr. Simson asserts that they sr>ep4i'!y devclnn a trunk cireninference,. In his opinion kauri reafforestation would create, a large timber wealth, nn'd before a century elapsed a valuable f-.yinnly of marketable gum would eventuate.