The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, NOV. 4, 1882. DESTRUCTION OF TIMBER.

Feilding Star, Volume III, Issue 40, 4 November 1882, Page 2

The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, NOV. 4, 1882. DESTRUCTION OF TIMBER.

The question of the de.-truction of indigenous fomst trees, and the influence exorcised on the climate of the various islands and continents, which have been wholly denuded ol their forests, has from time to time occupied the attention of scientific men. 'I he point of view generally adopted by these gentlemen has been an entirely sanatory one. They have in few instances attempted to raise the question as to what the next generation will do for timber. Jn a few isolated instances forest trees are being- planted to replace those cut down for use, and the our Government has given a good example in this respect by offering facilities and other inducements tor forest planting, and apparently for the same saDatorv reasons accepted by other countries. The more vital question as to what the next generation is \,o do for building timber appears to be neglected altogether. The Americans have collecte i statistics as to the quantity of available timber remaining 1 within the vast territory of the Union, and its present rate of consumption. The result goes to show that the whole of the United States will be bare of the chief timbers of the country in 35 years. Some of the older States are exhausted already, or have only a very few years supply remaining-. In a very few years we may safely expect the same to be said of the forests on this West Coas - . At the pr. sent rate of destroying the forests, by clearing for farms, and by cutting timber for export and local consumption, the land will soon be suitable for growing crops of wheat and other grain that will be a magnificent source of revenue. Yet we believe that when this time comes, our successors will b?g-in to find, to their cost, that it is absolutely necessary for th j in to plant timber- growing forest trees in order to make some provision for those who are to follow. If the Government were to make the same collection of statistics as was deemed advisable by the American Government, as to the amount of forest timber now standing, the rate at which it is being cleared or consumed, and from the figures thus provided deduce the number of years required to exhaust it, the result would be somewhat disheartening, and the advisatleness of immediate action to provide for the near luture would be painfully apparent. It affords us a real pleasure to see Feilding exporting timber in the large quantities it does, for this is a visible and tangible assurance of the enerjj-y and welldoing ol those men who are the principle supporters of the inaustry which gives life and importance to the place. We would suggest that the saw mill proprietors take steps, as soon as is possible for them to do so, for the formation in our own district of a common nursery for New Zealand and foreign timber-growing trees. A very few acres would suffice for the present, and a beginning svould be made which would certainly lead to beneficial results.