FOREST POLICY

Hokitika Guardian, 21 December 1920, Page 1

FOREST POLICY

Cabinet has finally approved of the skeleton organisation of the Forest Service, and the Public Service Commissioner has been given power to call for applications for the positions of conservators of forests for Auckland, Westland, and Southland (says. Saturday’s Wellington “Post”). These arc the three most important forest regions in the country, and are the districts where the State forest interests are largest. To support these- conservators, who will lie tile local executive officers, a skeleton staff of forest rangers is also being secured. This skeleton staff will enable the Department to draw up its plans to carry opt the forward policy of forest management as defined by the Commissioner of State Forests. The early work of tlje Department will include the demarcation of State forests, classification of soil values for agricultural and settlement purposes, and''consideration of timber sales.

A great deal of foundation work "is necessary before the Department can hope to show definite results, but something has 'jjeen achieved already. A general reconnaissance of the forests has been carried out from Lake Taupo to the F as t Cape, covering generally tbs backbone of the mountain ranges of the district. A similar survey of the east slopes of the Southern Alps is now being made, the main object in each case being to define generally those areas of fqrpsts f.of projtjectjon purposes. The Southern Alps survey is held to be of particular importance, as much of the forest there, although of little commercial value as timbep, is essential if the water supply of tlie plains is to he maintained.

■ Applications are also being called for an engineer in forest products, to start in a small way research into the economic value of various timbers. Information in this direction is at present out of date, and more modern information is required.