THE DOMINION'S TIMBER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3985, 16 July 1913, Page 7

THE DOMINION'S TIMBER.

FOR ESTR Y CO3IMISSIO N ; S REPORT. .

AN INTERESTING DOCUMENT

[PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM] WELLINGTON, July 15

The Forestry Commission’s renort was presented to Parliament to-day. The report is a voluminous document covering a wide scope. It is recommended that 119,200 acres in Southland be set aside for climatic reserves, also 531,609 acres in Westland, 917.000 in Nelson, 88,3-50 acres in .Marlborough, and 93.820 in Wellington. The Commission is of opinion that no scenic reserve should be diverted from its original purpose without there being the strongest possible reason for so doing. Tlie Commission recommends that the. Government acquire for preservation all the steep hanks of the Wanganui River not already preserved, and where the land is not suitable for-settlement. The Commission recommends that the Government should acquire for the preservation of forests all steep lands bordering on the Mokau River and that certain Crown lands in arid districts be ebanged therefor. On the subject of milling forests, the Commission recommends that solo jurisdiction should be vested in land boards and that in regard to payment of half royalties local bodies, they should only be paid on timber which is conveyed by road. Dealing with afforestation, the Commission estimated that the amount of timber consumed yearly in New Zealand is 358,600,600 feet, and that in thirty-five years it will be 716,000,000 feet. On 31st March, 1912, the State plantations were 18,870 acres in extent, and at the present rate—namely, 2566 acres in 1911-12 —the total yield when converted would be 12-8,30U,000 feet, which, at the present rate of consumption, would last about four months. The Commission considers that at least two and a-half times the acreage of 1911-i2 should be planted. Turning to the question of financial purposes, the Commission considers that an acre of pin us radiata would produce 150,000 feet of timber at the age of 35 years. Taking the value of tiia land at £2 per acre, the figures would work out as follows:

Expenditure on 10,000 acres planted at £8 per acre .at 4-J per cent compound interest for 35 years £373,360 Rental value of land on the above basis 73,340 Annual maintenance charge at 6s acre on same basis... 24.45 S

Total expenditure £691,104 The estimated receipts were : —- 10,000 acres yielding 150,000 ft. per acre at 2s 100 1 ... 1,500,000 Deduct expenditure 691,194 Total £BOB,BOO

If these results*could be attained it would mean a pr-6'fit of nearly £9l per acre and wouWallow the timber to be retailed at Mm 10s to 11s per 100 superficial fret. The ConjKiission expresses the opinion tliat, J|ivoii cheap land, economical and the right kind or trees plant, afforestation can he. niadajt highly profitable investment to the jftate. . TJre Commission recommended:

8 (l) That the Prisons Department should have a credit note for the value of all work done by prison la-

bor. . , . (2) That 4J- per cent, interest should he debited annually to tlio cost of the previous year’s operations. , , , . (3) That the rental value of-land as assessed by the Government Valuation Department, also on 4 poi cent, basis, should be debited to the forestry account.

The necessity for afforestation was manifest. The time may come when many countries would forbid the export'of home-grown timber. There was good reason for the countries of the Old World; to plant commercial Commission recommends that private persons planting trees should get them at .cost price, and that planting bv private individuals should be encouraged by the remission of taxes or otherwise on a certain percentage of the total area of estate which has been planted to the satisfaction of the Forestry Board. Afforestation by local bodies should also be encouraged. ,