The Timber Conference.

Feilding Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 21, 24 July 1896, Page 2

The Timber Conference.

♦ At the Timber Conference yesterday, Mr G. S. Perrin, Conservator of Forests, Victoria, who is acting as delegate for that colony and Tasmania, gave an interesting account of the working of his department, and also approved of Professor Kirk's book on the Forest Flora of New Zealand. Ke recommended that the Government should go in for treeplanting extensively, especially large trees. The report of the Forestry Committee No. 3 was read and adopted as follows : — 1. That it is desirable to at once commence the planting of lands unfit for agricultural and pastoral purposes, especially in districts where native titn- , bers are becoming scarce. ' 2. That the varieties of trees so planted be limited to those already known to grow satisfactorily in the district, and prodnce suitable timbers and barks for the requirements of such district. 3. That experimental grounds be established in such district for the raising of various treas, and for the supply of trees at nominal cost to those wishing to make plantations for timber purposes only. 4. That a qualified practical man be appointed to organise and direct forestry operations in the colony under the Lands Department, and we urge that great care should be taken to obtain a really good man. 5. That advice and directions be afforded by Government to assisting private planting for forestry purposes. 6. That larger areas of beech or other forests be reserved for climatic purposes, especially in districts where rivers hav.e their sources. 7. That a list of trees suitable for cultivation in New Zealand compiled by Mr J, Matthews is appended; other lists of suitable trees have been published by the State Forest Department. 8. That black wattle and other suitable trees for tanning purposes be planted on pumice and other suitable lands. 9. That returns be obtained of the present accessible and marketable forest timber in the different districts. 10. That in future appointments to the Land Boards, we consider it desirable that persons conversant with the timber industry should not be overlooked. 11. The committee recommends the disuse of the terms red pine, white pine, and black pine in favor of rimu, kahikatea, and maiti, in order to prevent their being confused with timber bearing similar common names in Europe ; also, that two leaved beech, entire-leaved beech, silver beech, and mountain beech should be used instead of the unmeaning terms— red birch, brown birch, black birch, (fee.