SELWYN PLANTATIONS.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18415, 23 June 1925, Page 7

SELWYN PLANTATIONS.

MEETING OF BOARP. A meeting of the Selwyn Plantations Board was held yesterday. Present—Messrs G-. H. Bullard (in the chair), C. H. Adams, a. Witty, M.P., C. Wolfe, G. Scott, S. A. Staples, J. Storry, G. Hall and C. "W. Bervey (secretary). Tho superintendent (Mr E. G. Bobinson) reported that fair headway had been made with the various works carried on during the'month. At the Bacecourse Hill plantar tion Bomo 73,343 superficial feet of pine, 7379 superficial feet of Oregon, and 34C0 superficial feet of gum were milled and disced of, together with 75 cords of slab firewood. Owing to sufficient orders, the mill would be kept steadily working for some months. Unfavourable weather had greatly hampered woodcutting and carting operations. Some 60 cord 3of gum and pine were cut in addition to 100 poles and a quantity of fencing material. '.Three cords of firewood had been distributed gratis to each' of the following benevolent institutions:—St. Saviour's Home, Presbyterian Home, Methodist Home, iNazareth House, and the Salvation Army. Preparations for the season's tree-planting were being proceeded with. Tree-firming was still being carried out, but was proving a more costly operation than was anticipated. Two men were being Especially employed in laying strychnine poisrra ior rabbits, with excellent results, and temporary permits had been issued to several trappers. Some 6000 two-year-old trees were supplied for Planting over Canterbury College reserves although the-sodden conditions of nursery land made general tree-lifting work impracticable. The report was adopted. The financial statement for tho month showed a credit balance of £220 5s id. ' A reoort of a sub-committee on the proposal to carrv out r.dditions to the Board s property at "Da-rfield was adopted and it was decided to leave the plans in the hands of a sub-committee. The nepartmant of Agriculture (Horticultural Branch) wrote that, after aft investigation by the Crown Solicitor, it f°™d Uia 4 it would be necessary to have the Board s nursery registered, if it were desired to dispose of trees by sale. Mr Witty said that if the nursery were registered, the Beard's employees would come under the Arbitration Act, and therefor" he moved that the Board should apply for exemntion to the Minister of Forests. Mr Staples claimed that the were Crown ones, and as such should be exempt, and Mr G. Hall said that m addition all the Board's activities were subject to the approval of the Department of AgriC n U £» finally'decided to'refer the matter to the Board's solicitor, and after that, if necessary, to apply to the Minister of Forests for exemption. •. , , • Tho State Forest Service wrote_ for information on the number of tree.* the Board contemplated planting in the l«*>±£™? n > and the area under plantation at present. The secretary said "that he had forwarded the information to the Department. The Commissioner of Crown Lands wrote to state that the Land «*.*"*•* %*&& ment had decided to deal with the> old Kailway Beserve at BanVeide, and cut it up and di£c« of it to the adjoining owners The the Board's section was 10 acres 2 roods 10 perches, and the price had been fixed at £2 an acre, lh© Depart mer.t eZr% to know if the B:<ud waa P«cared to accept this offer. j-x-„_ at, ot P It w*s decided to accept, on condition that an adjustment was made for land taken bv the Department some years ago. It was.decide* to supply the following orders for trees: -Springs County Conned, >awm- Tawrra County Council, 40.0; Malfem County Council, 4000; Public Works D l P "ue e r nt of e tha onks 0 nks was received from the organising secretary o! St. SaW« Guild for a donation of three cords of firewood.