Forestry Matters.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 January 1922, Page 3

Forestry Matters.

BENEFIT OF NEW BILL. C (Lyttelton Times). * The forestry question in New Zee- c land, in the opinion of Mr Will Lawson >' organiser of the Forestry League, s< has been considerably improved by the e reconsideration and amending of the b ‘Bill by the joint committee which took evidence recently. “In its present form,” said Mr Lawson, “the Bill has faults and weaknesses, but it is a good basis for a. beginning, 'and my league has taken fresh courage to tackle the work before it. e The Bill, of course, deals with existing c forests, and this does not greatly affect Canterbury. But it does: affect Canterbury’s neighbour, Westland,' where there are many square miles of forests. - It, remains to be seen how the Bill will operate, and there will no doubt require to be adjustments .majde to meet circumstances. “In regard to the other aspect of forestry, namely, afforestation, I can • sav that the idea is spreading throughout the Dominion. Everywhere I go, I find no opposition or argument as to the need of planting trees. Canterbury Ss always quoted as the splendid example in this work, and very soon there will be plenty of emulation in treeless provinces. A striking case of successful planting of trees in exposed places occurs in Wellington, where exotic trees have been planted on the bare hills of the harbour. These are now showing up. ■Even on the exposed northerly end of Miramar Peninsula they are growing well, while in Oriental Bay, which faces the northerlies, the trees have made a. real beauty spot._ The result of these experiments is attracting attention to reafforestation, and there is talk of the Hutt Valley hills being reafforested. Such a step would entirely change the appearance of the country there. “Some good articles on forestry appear in our forest magazine, the league's official journal, which will make its first appearance this week, and will be an important influence in our work.”