FORESTRY LAW

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 53, 31 August 1926, Page 2

FORESTRY LAW

AMENDING PROVISIONS.

An amendment of the Forests Act was introduced by Governor-General's Message in the House of Representatives this morning.

The Commissioner of State Forests (the Hon. 0. J. Hawken) stated that the Bill had been brought down to validate licenses to mill timber which the wardens had granted for years back. It had' been found that the wardens had been granting licenses without authority over a long period, and the Government was bringing in the Bill to validate the licenses. There was no alteration so far as county revenues were concerned. It was intended to put the management of the forests under the Forestry Department instead of the mining warden. There was a penalty provided for cases where sawmillers cut timber outside the boundaries of their sections. In addition to the penalty imposed upder section 43 of the principal Act provision was made for the imposition of a penalty amounting to twice the value of the timber cut. *Mr. T. E. Y. Seddon (Westland) asked whether the local bodies interested and the sawmillers would have an opportunity of giving evidence on the Bill.

Mr. Hawken said he understood that the local bodies were not concerned. He was not sure whether the sawmillers would be consulted. However, he would make inquiries.

My. Seddon: "The local bodies are vitally concerned."

The Prime Minister said the Bill would be referred to the Lands Committee in order that evidence might be taken from those concerned.

T. C. Dawe and Co. will sell furnitur* and eilects at their rooms, 57, Ghu«ne« street, to-morrow, at 2 p.m., without !•■ sei've.