FOREST CULTURE.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 18, Issue 1140, 7 October 1871, Page 2

FOREST CULTURE.

The following is from the Wellington Independent of Sept. 18 ;—Mr Hall has introduced into the legislative Asr. sembly a Bill (which has passed its second reading) for the purpose of subsidising or encouraging the planting of forest trees in the province of Canterbury, by the granting of tw o acres of land for every acre sq laid dqwn. Mem, hers on all sides of the House spoke in favor of the measure, at the same time suggesting that it should be made a general one. In speaking on the sub. ject, Mr O'Neill advanced some instructive and interesting observations on the conservation of the forest trees of NewZealand, and the means adopted in many countries for the preservation of what they justly consider a sonrce of wealth—their timber growth. Some of these countries impose the condition that for every tree cut down another shall be planted, while others insist that two shall be substituted for every one felled. He attributed the flooding of rivers to the destruction of forests, stating that the recent floods in the Hutt river were clearly attributable to this cause. Mr Peacock and Mr Brown, Canterbury members, thought two acres not sufficient return for the expense of planting, the former gentleman pro-r posing that the amount of land given should be four acres instead of two for every one planted. Sir D. Mimro. corrbboiated the general view as to the value of forest culture, mentioning the fact that there was plenty of country in the Nelson province absolutely valueless for want of timber. Mr Reeves, in. common with others who had spoken, agreed that the adoption of such a raea? sure would be the introduction into the country of a useful institution, though he did nor agree with Mr Peacock that the amount of land to be given should be four acres. The Bill itself was a mo\e in the right di fiction; but the amendment went in the wrong direction. It was the duty of the State to be careful in disposing of free grants \ their object should be to give encouragement, not compensation. Jt would be wrong to compensate what would very likely become a means of private investment. He was strengthened in his opinions on the matter by the experience of the neighboring province of Otago where they proposed to give the land planted and nothing more, and if that was sufficient inducement in Otago two for one should be enough in Caiir terbury. They should also be careful to limit the amount taken up; it would be desirable, as a safeguard, to limit the amount to 200 acres. Mr Swanson threw the humorous even into this matter, by pointing out that the Bill should be amended, because he understood from the reading of the clause as it stood that the planted acre was to be handed over to the Government in exchange for the two unimproved ones. In that case the gam would be a loss. However, if the Government were'to give over the two acres they ought to have something to say as to I he kind of trees? to be planted. Mr D. M'Lean observed that, according to the way the timber of the colony was being destroyed, it would leave much of the fine land of the colony destitute.