3 July 1992 Farewell to Mountain Lands Institute

A luncheon and valedictory speeches at Lincoln University has marked the demise of the Mountain Lands Institute.

In its 1991 Budget the Government gave notice of withdrawing financial support for the institute from 1 July this year. With the end of that backing the Institute has now gone out of existence.

Established in 1960 and originally known as the Tussock Grasslands and Mountain Lands Institute, the body became a constituent part of Lincoln and provided technological information and skills for the conservation and utilisation of natural resources in hill and mountain lands.

From the outset the Institute had a management committee made up of people from the main user and administrative groups connected with the tussock grasslands and mountain lands. The chairman at the time of closure was Mr George McMillan.

In lamenting the Institute's demise, he reflects that it has performed an "extremely valuable" role over the years.

"That role has included facilitating the co-ordination of research, identifying problems, and disseminating information through the journal 'Review', special publications, seminars, workshops and conferences.

"Institute staff members have always been of the highest calibre and the results of their research have made a significant contribution to the understanding and management of hill and high country environments," says Mr McMillan.

"There continues to be a need for discussion, debate and identification of issues by the main stakeholders and interest groups and for consensus-seeking, comprehensive and consistent advice to governments, both regional and national.

"An independent group, meeting on neutral ground, is still needed to provide a forum for the resolution of issues related to the management of mountain land resources and for such a group to provide a mechanism for the review and integration of research related to the management of these resources."

Former members of the institute's committee met at the University on 3 July prior to the presentation of the annual McCaskill Memorial Lecture. Dr Lance McCaskill was the first Director of the Institute. Among those gathered was Mr David McLeod, aged 90, a former Chairman, high country farmer and author of note.

Naturally also in attendance were the two staff members of the Institute, Principal Management Officer Chris Kerr and Executive Officer Brian Robertson, both of Lincoln University.

Ian Collins, Journalist, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand