87

C—l 2.

G. P. NEWTON.

15. The Chairman.] At present the deer are mostly in inaccessible places, but it is in just those areas where there is bush that the damage is, going on, and where it would not be likely to be reported until the damage was almost beyond recall. Have you considered that point? — I see your contention : the more inaccessible the bush-area the more likely you are to have numbers of deer, of course. 16. Dr. Cockayne.'] We do not say that the deer will destroy the forest, but they will help to destroy the undergrowth, which is the most important part of the climatic reserves, because that growth is required for water-conservation purposes. If it is destroyed the fire gets in and the reserve is ruined. Have you considered the question from that point of view? —-The result you mention is certain to follow if the undergrowth is destroyed.

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