THE TIMBER SUPPLY

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1770, 7 June 1913, Page 6

THE TIMBER SUPPLY

UNIQUE OFFER. The following is a copy of a letter, dated Juno 6', addressed to the Trime Minister on the subject of timber, supplies, by Mr. F. T. Moore, of Johnsonville:— Dear 6ir,—Messrs. Mooro Bros., of Joliii!>onvillo are the holders of timber rights from tho Native owners of tho Rutetapu Block, situate near Taumarunui, covering an area of land (approximately 10,000 acres), the royalty value o) which is worth from .£2OOO to .£3OOO per annum to tho Natives, wliilo tlio timber lasts. Twenty years hence the supply will bo cut out, and Mooro Bros, are willing to reafforest theso lands with early maturing trees in tho interests of the Natives and themselves, provided your Government will pass Jegislabon extending tho term of existing rights. wliich now havo 21 years to run lor a further term of 21 years. "Theso lands aro specially adapted for tho growth oi milling timber. Tlio riiyolite or papa formation of tho countrr, together with the natural shelter from liigli winds, facilitate the production of tall trees with shapely branchless boles. An Australian gum, winch was planted on this land only ten years ago, is now nearly 300 ft, lngn> ana tlio Tate at which the bole of tho tree is nroiually espandins indicates that it will_be fit for milling ten years hence. Experts sav that Oregon pines would grow 'is rapidly in tho same district, and tliere aro. other species of quick-growing timber - trees which could be prohtably P '"There are also a number of other sawmillin? nnns who hold similar rights in tho locality, and who would una it to be in their own interests to rcalforest if given sufficient security of tenure. Iho Native owners of this Jand cannot a better return than timber will yie.d them, a"d the Dominion must have _ supplies to meet its wants when the virgin forests ate used up. Upwards of .£-0,000 have bton expended m tho vicinity of Taumarunui, erecting mills and constructing steel railways for the locomotives which collect.logs from the bush, and it will bo an industrial national loss if these costly plants and tramways are scrappe<l in 20 years because no rooio timber is available. "I nm confident that we can perpetuate our supplies of timber by judicious replanting, and the best lands to use aro those naturallv adapted, n.nd which already have railway facilities provided for the removal of the timber from the spot upon which it is grown to the consumer. At present the milling rights of land from which tho .virgin timber hasbeon removed around Taumariunri are going to wa.ste—growing rubbi?h—and it is surely in the public interest to have these lands utilised for the purposo to which tliey are l»st adapted, viz., growing timber. Awaiting your very earliest and most favourable 'reply.-I am, etc., "(Signed) F. T. MOORE.