H.—s

20

Pact I.

clearing is so irregular, that to give an accurate statement of the acreage would be most difficult, if not impossible.

Reports, 1874 Otago.

7. State the causes of destruction of forests.—What might be termed wasteful destruction is generally caused by fire, which, in most instances, is the result of carelessness, either by workmen leaving fire in the forest, or residents in the country burning grass. The latter should, be restricted to burn only small areas at one time, so that they could control the fire, and extinguish it if necessity required. 8. State if any has been replaced by new growth or artificial planting.—ln no instance has any been replaced by artificial planting, but natural growth is springing up rapidly at Long forest, Lake Wakatip. Where the native timber has been removed, about ten years ago, the young birch trees have grown to the height of 10 feet, and some are as high as 15 feet. It is evident from this that the birch will soon replace itself. 9. State the acreage of artificial planting in private and public land.—No artificial planting worthy of notice has been done in the interior of this Province. 10. State any known effect to climate or drainage, by clearing of bush, grasses, or other vegetation.—The limited areas which have been cleared, could have no perceptible effect on climate or drainage. 11. State the number of years' supply yet remaining for the various purposes for which timber is applied, such as fencing, firing, house-building, public works, &c.—Judging from the past rate of consumption, and the quantity of timber suitable for sawing purposes, the supply at Long Forest, Lake Wakatip, will last about six years. At the Hawea, I estimate there is a supply of timber suitable for house-building purposes for ten years. There is an inexhaustible supply of firewood still remaining in each. All the other forests in the interior still retain their primeval state. Small patches of bush and scrub have been partially cleared, but these are scarcely worthy of notice. 12. Give your opinion as to the necessity or otherwise of taking measures to protect bush. —Although the timber resources of the Province are considerable, when compared with the present population, yet seeing that the forests are in course of rapid destruction, and that there is a likelihood of a large increase of population, I am of opinion that it is of the utmost importance to the community to have the existing forests protected from the reckless extravagance which is so prevalent in this Province. If prompt measures be not taken in this direction, all the sound timber will, in the course of a few years, be entirely destroyed, and the consequence will be a sudden rise in the price of that material. The magnificent forests of America and India, which at one time were supposed to be inexhaustible, are disappearing rapidly, and, according to recent accounts, the scarcity of timber is already felt. These and many other reasons could be adduced for protecting forests, and using the timber of which they consist with a strict view to economy. 13. If you think the forests should be protected, state how this could best be done without injury to the current wants of the population.—Under the system of management which is at present in force in this Province, saw-millers, sawyers, and the public generally are admitted into the forests of the country simply by paying a small license fee. While this is the case, no regulations however rigorous, and no staff of officials however numerous and zealous in the

No. 1. No. 2. Nc 3.3. ' No. 4. No. 5. No. 6. Furnish List of Forests in your District, with their Acreages. State the Acreage that is Private, and the Acreage that is Public. State thi thath destrc Private a e Acreage as been )yed in md Public .mil. State the Number of Saw-mills at work, and their Horse Power. State the Number of Sawyers at work. Give the Amount of Revenue paid by each Class. Name of Forest. Acreage. Public. Private. Public. Private. S.M. H.P. Sawyers. Amount. )ingle lawea latukituki 11,000 4,000 10,000 150 3,500 40,000 2,000 6,500 10,000 7,000 12,000 2,500 120,000 3,000 28,000 11,000 4,000 10,000 150 3,500 40,000 2,000 '6,500 10,000 7,000 12,000 2,500 120,000 3,000 28,000 Nil. Nil. 450 Nil. 30 ' Nil. Nil. ft Nil. )i Nil. » Nil. 1 Nil. 8 Nil. £ s. d. Nil. 2 10 0 Nil. 17 0 0 Nil. a )) )) Lrrow II II tees )art lount Alfred jong Forest h-eenstone ialdHill JJ 1,600 Nil. a II M )} i Nil. )» )) 12 Nil. »J 1 Nil. J) 62 10 0 Nil. j> jj )> }) )) }) » favora iurwood ... )unton largin Iglinton ... 'orests west of Manipori and Te Anau Lake8 » 300 Nil. I) j> » a )) )) )) tJ >J }) a » )) )} >i )) ii 3) » » H i) jj }> a 145,000 145,000 )J jj n Si jj II a Total 404,650 404,650 2,380 12 10 82 0 0