Dunedin City forests

The creamery, Maori Kaik, Otago Peninsula. — Otago Witness, 19.12.1917.
The creamery, Maori Kaik, Otago Peninsula. — Otago Witness, 19.12.1917.
The forests of the City of Dunedin — where are they? That is a question the majority of citizens may ask.

Yet these forests may all be visited in an afternoon if one be satisfied with a cursory glance at them, which would nevertheless be sufficient to convey to the observer some idea of their extent, which is increasing year by year, and of their enormous prospective value. The idea of utilising the water supply catchment areas by planting them with trees originated with Mr Christie, during the term of his mayoralty, and a report on the feasibility of the plan was obtained by the City Council from Mr Henry J. Matthews, the first State Forester. Fortunately at this juncture Mr Tannock was appointed Superintendent of Reserves and he speedily gave effect to the project and organised the system which has since been steadily and successfully carried on. The best way to see the city forests is to proceed up the lovely valley of the Leith as far as or a little further than the Sullivan reservoir. Here over 500,000 trees have been planted, and from the road they may be seen in all stages from sturdy saplings just showing above the grass to belts of dark pines, 20ft or more in height, which form quite a feature in the landscape, lightened by the proximity of equally vigorous zones of larch, with others of graceful silver birches intervening. The silver birches are used in all the plantations with the object of checking the progress of a fire should such a disaster occur.

If the road leading up the hill towards the head of Ross Creek reservoir be next taken, and if a track be followed through the remnants of the once glorious native bush, which leads to the old farm known as Booth’s, where some 60 acres have been planted, thriving groves of larch, Oregon, and various pines will be found. These pines include pinus rigida, the valuable pitch pine, which, though often regarded as of slow growth, has attained a height of 15ft in seven years, or rather more than 2ft per annum. This rate of growth has, however, been outstripped by all the other trees, the Oregon spruces being nearly 20ft in height, whilst the ash trees are even higher.

Liquor trade problems

According to a leading Wellington licensed victualler who has a general knowledge of the trade throughout New Zealand, the effect in the reduction in hours is going to be most serious (says the New Zealand Times). From reports he has received of the working of the new order of things, he has not the slightest hesitation in saying that within a few months many hotelkeepers in the dominion will recognise that they have "ruin staring them in the face", and there will be no alternative for them but to leave the trade and seek "fresh fields and pastures new". The loss of night business in the cities is serious enough, but in the country and certain suburbs it is simply appalling.

Limehills hall razed

At mid-day on Saturday the Limehills Public Hall and contents — library, piano, Good Templars’ regalia, and other articles — were totally destroyed by fire (reports the Southland Times).

A strong wind was blowing at the time, and the efforts of several residents, who were quickly on the scene, made no impression on the flames. The building was a smouldering mass within half-an-hour. The cause is not known. — ODT, 15.12.1917.

 

• COPIES OF PICTURE AVAILABLE FROM ODT FRONT OFFICE, LOWER STUART ST, OR WWW.OTAGOIMAGES.CO.NZ

Add a Comment