Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star TUESDAY, JANUARY 11th., 1921. FORESTRY MATTERS.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 January 1921, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Sta r TUESDAY, JANUARY 11th., 1921. FORESTRY MATTERS.

Our morning contemporary at Greymouth is fortunate in obtaining a good deal of first hand information regarding forestry matters. There can he no reasonable obpjection to this favor being shown our contemporary, our only complaint is that tho favors of the Department are- not more equally distributed and information of use to the public is not more widely circulated so as to reach particularly the localities specially concerned in forestry matters. Westland will have to depend more and more in the future on its forestry resources, and our complaint is that at the commencement of such on era the control of the resources is being handed over to such an expensive Department as the Forestry branch of the public service is destined to bo. The excessive cost, of conducting this Department is going to absorb an enormous amount of the revenue derived, and the public will witness their asset disappearing, and not only less return resulting, but the cost of tho commodity must go up, while those in the business of sawmilling tinder Crown grants will see their whole investment jeopardised, and the industry as we have it to-day, imperilled. The country is waiting for a definite outline cf the forestry policy. It has seen that policy foreshadowed in the drastic legislation of the past, hut the details of the policy are still with-held in a public way. When Sir Francis Bell was In vitod here as Commissioner of gtate ForoAts to discuss the matter, there was little hope of any relief Prom the, drastic lines of the legislation. That was plain from his uncompromising attitude at the local deputation. Since then, force of circumstances have helped to stay ,Sir Francis’ hand but the authority is there when he is fully at liberty to* use his autocratic powers, to stifle the timber industry as we know it to-day. However, the Director of Forestry (Mr L. M. Ellis) has propared a voluminous report on the matters affecting forestry, and this document has been seen by the Dominion Federation of Sawmillers, whoso chairman, Mr W. J. Butler, has published a digest of the !report. This is rather an unusual procedure, but nevertheless there it is, and the Greymouth morning paper has lieen fortunate in receiving a copy of the digest in question, and utters a penn of praise on tho matter ventilated.

A copy of the digest has come nir way, and we regret we cannot joiif in the hymn of praise either on M'r But ler’s appreciation on behalf of the Federated Snwmillers, or on behalf of the suggested forestry policy. There seems to be a good deal that is wide of the mark in the matter published. There is a large amount of camouflage indulged in, hiding the realities of the situation. Also the appreciation approves a policy of restricted confiscation which the public will not stand for once they realise the bent of the forestry policy. Tlite report appears !to talk largely in platitudes about what should ho done, but it is its methods of accomplishing its ends which we object to. From the outset of the fotrestry legislation we have protested against its confiscatory proposals. Those still stand The miller with his Crown gjrant and license stands in jeopardy every hour of losing his whole. 'Equally so the freeholder—but the digest has tried to stem this obvious equality and place the freeholder on a piano above the grantee. When we recall that .Mr Butler represents a concern which has 28,000 acres of freehold, can understand his desire to conserve the freehold rights—and very properly so. But we arc as much concerned for the small miller which has his Crown grant, and who should ho protected with his scrap of paper issued from a court of justice, no less than the opulent freeholder. That by the way. Turning to page 5 of tbo digest we find the suggested policy analysed, and therein is a reference to recouping local bodies to replace “rates.” This must be a misprint for “royalties” as there is not a rating question of any moment involved in the timber trade; What follows is important to the millers. Their “rights" are

to remain, but as affecting reservations, royalties are to be revised. That is, what they have obtained by a legal process in due form under the law of the land, is fo be taken from them, and

something substituted in an increased charge. The inequity of this is that the miller who took up his limited licensed and reservations, built his business according to royalties fixed by his grant. But this so far as the reservations ire But this so far as the reservations are concerned will be torn up, and he will have to pay a premium rate, if he cuts off the reservations. This is quite inequitable. Ho is in a far worse plight than, the-ftreeholder who has no royalty to pay at all—and no wonder Mr Butler pleads hard for the. fortunes of the freheolder. Further, the forestry policy -proposes an immediate reconsideration of royalty rates, but no alteration with present rights. Are we to believe tho State is as capable of breaking its written contract as an enemy country was in 1914 even at the risk of precipitating a world war? It, appears so, alas, to the disgrace of one of this country’s departments. Then having increased the royalties, what of the cost of collecting same? The report is silent on this aspect, but, we know a huge department is in process of formation, despite the stringency of finance, and the Premier’s warning to curtail administration costs. The Treasurer of the country should be reminded of ’he enormous cost involved in the creation

of the Forestry Department, and should be asked where the money is coming from, if not out of the general revenues of the country. Tin’s is a crucial aspect of the forestry policy, which Is being launched on a scale far beyond the (realms of prudence and economy. More, it will advance tho sale price of timber, and a dearer commodity will adds its weight to Hie general cost of living, while there will be a lesser return so far as Westland is concerned for local body requirements, and the ratepayers will have to make up the difference in extra rating, or do with less I improvements to their roads and bridges. The digest makes frequent reference to the “freehold” aspect—naturally so, as the writer of the paper has so much involved in freehold land held. On page 9 we have the assertion that Mr Ellis’ report ’regarding timber cessions past, present and future does not apply to freeholds. The .millers generally, whether federated or not, will want to know why this is thus, and fish is made of one and flesh of another. The millers license to cut is as much a Crown grant as the freehold right.

and mo.Te particularly as the latter j escape all royalty rates. Tho whole question concerns the sawmillers so in- , timately that it is surprising to find them so apathetic over the whole mat- j ter. Likewise, the local bodies arc not showing the interest they should. It ; is clear that they will lose thousands of pounds of revenue if the forestry , policy continues in its present trend, j and it is a matter fo'r reiHark that the ; position generally should be accepted as tamely as it is by public and private businessmen alike. |

Tun public interest in Lake Kanieri and its environments continues to grow. Strange to say the majority of the visitors appear to hail from other parts than the immediate neighbourhood of Hokitika. The beauties of the lake are not greatly patronised by denizens of the town. 'This fact suggests that the Acclimatisation Society, the controlling body at the lake,' should seek to institute one or more Lake Kanieri days during the season. The lake and its surroundings contain many beauty spots, hut ljttle patronised by the average visitor, who at the most makes Dorothy waterfall his sole objective. There is, however, the pretty beach at Lawyer’s Delight at the lower end of the lake; there is Sunny Bight nearby the end of the road; there is Canoe Cove, as well as other pretty little bays and inlets, not omitting Cave Rock, into which boats may he taken far enough to lose sight of the lake itself. These spots should all bo better known and better patronised than they are. Apropos of Lake Kanieri day, if t 1 A 1 * _ - Dn-« A 4 « « t A /\lr 1 1 llwi

the Acclimatisation Society took up the matter and arranged with tho motor proprietors for a. cheap transit fare to include a. motor aquatic spin to Dorothy Falls, Hans Island etc., tho local public might be induced to flock more generally to the lake-side./ The tickets could ho sold in advance for the day’s excursion and transport could ho arrange for accordingly. By making an early start in tho morning, and running two or three trips in the forenoon, the available motors and lorries could transport some hundreds of people to the lake-side. It would make a notable excursion, and it would he possible to fit in the day's time-table with the running of the trains, so that visitors from north and south could participate also in the outing. Then again, there is the question of opening up a track to Mount Tahua summit. The money is voted for the work, and the Acclimatisation Society should explore the most suitable route, and urge the construction of tho track. Afore tracks should be opened round tho lake so as to make it more and more a popular resort.

There is a great future for the scenic resort if its attractions are better known and more liberally patronised. HOCTTCTI —I —M——»

A social and daliee tvill life iieid in the Public Hall, Rinni) oil Friday evening next, Jan. 14thj a welcome home to Mr Jack Comport, Admission free.—Advt.

Old residents of the town will be sorry to hear of the death of Mrs Pozzi which took place at Melbourne at the age of 84 years, on Dec. 17th, The deceased with her husband and family were well-known residents some forty years ago.

The County authorities notify that the Kokatahi-Koiterangi road will be closed to traffic from 8 o’clock on Thursday morning until further notice to allow repairs to Duck Creek bridge (near Fish Hatchery). For the time being traffic will be diverted to a fold crossing on the lower side of the bridge site.

A public basket picnic will be held Diedrich’s paddock (next Post Office) Koiterangi, on Wednesday next, Jan. 12th. Hot water provided. A grand ball to be held in tho Koiterangi Public Hall in the evening.—Advt. Material for tho Little Waitaha bridge is now going south, and the plant is being got on to the ground. An early start will lie made with the ,construction. It will be „ some; Lime after the bridge is ejected before it is open for traffic as the material for the southern approach lias to be taken across the bridge. The spoil in tho northern approach cutting will be utilised for the southern filling. Now that tenders are being called for tho *VY aitangi bridge, it is to be hoped tho two structures will be available for road traffic before the end of the year.

Buy travelling goods at the H.B. Our travelling goods are full of quality, they are good all through. Attache cases 5s lid to 16s 6d, suit cases 25s to ,90s, leather brief bags 26s 6d, 27s 6d, 28s 6d; also Colonial travelling rugs in stock at The N.Z. Clothing Factory.— Advt. Colombo Teas, Coffee, and Cocoa. 1 Cheapest and best in the market. Agent for compressed yeast. Obtainable until further notice from W. McLean’s Store, Kumnra Junction.— \.ut j All those in favour of using GOLDEN ! RULE Soap ps, a lever for lifting the world into thrift and harmony are requested to confer with local storokeepcrs. 1 CLINCHER CROSS- the motor-car tyre that is superior. The result of 1 painstaking and extended research, experiment, and long years of wear. All garages can supply. i A great array of Xmas gift goods in drapery, fancy goods, men’s wear and i toys for the children now ready for ! your inspection at McGruer’s. Call . early.—Advt.

Children like WADE’S WORM FIGS. The finest remedy for that prevalent complaint—worms. WOLFE’S SCHNAPPS is the -’nst spirit in the world