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The remnants of the forest that frame this scene foretell the clearing of the trees behind. It was the practice for gangs of sawyers to go into the virgin bush and set up shanties in the valleys which they would use as their base while felling the surrounding trees.

Blomfield became a passionate advocate for the conservation of native bush and reflected that he was grateful that, having arrived in New Zealand in 1863, he saw the country ‘before the hand of man had spoiled most of its natural beauty.’ (Enduring Nature: Hoki Atu Hoki Mai, 2004)