One might think, from the pleasing appearance of our public gardens and reserves, that the time of the curator was fully occupied in looking after them, but he has also inaugurated and is carrying out extensive planting of the lands fronting the gathering grounds of our water supply.
The proposal to utilise these reserves for the purpose of tree-growing was first made by Mr Christie during his term as Mayor, and for the last four years the good work has been quietly and steadily carried on.
The primary object of the planting is of course the conservation of the water supply, for though there may still be some doubts amongst experts as to the efficacy of trees in inducing rainfall, there are none as to the effect of denuding a water catchment area of forest growth.
When such land is covered with forest the rainfall, if not increased, is preserved, and instead of rushing off in torrents slowly sinks into the soil, and is protected by the trees from rapid evaporation, thus feeding the springs, which are maintained in dry weather, instead of becoming dried up.
For that reason it is a wise step on the part of the City Council to set about the reafforestation of its catchment areas.
The work of planting was begun in 1906, when 15,450 trees were put out, followed by 23,110 in 1907, 45,825 in 1908, and 10,355 in 1909, or a total of 184,740 in four years.
As the water conservancy reserves amount in round numbers to 30,000 acres, it is manifest that there is scope for carrying on the good work for many years to come.
The cost to the city is only about 600 a year - an expenditure fully justified on the ground of conserving the water supply alone; but when it is considered that in a couple of generations or less the city will be deriving a large revenue from its woods, the wisdom of embarking on the scheme is apparent, and the future citizens of Dunedin will bless the fore-thought of the council of the present time, which is to be congratulated in having such a capable and energetic servant to give effect to its desires as Mr Tannock, whose gardening abilities are generally recognised, but whose skill as a forester has hitherto been unknown.- ODT, 11.12.1909.
