Correspondence.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VIII, Issue 529, 28 November 1857, Page 5

Correspondence.

To the Editor 6f the ' Lyttelton Times.' Sib, —It seems right that public enquiry should be made into the mode in which the various agencies for the sale of timber cutting licenses on the public lands in Banks Peninsula are conducted. /

And first I would remark that so long as Government functionaries on permanent pay and employment are maintained anywhere on the Peninsula, those functionaries and none others (except it be persons subordinates to and entirely under their control), should be appointed conservators of the forests.

lam informedon reliable, authority that in one part, at. least, of Banks's Peninsula, where Crown timber is highly valuable on account of the quantity of freehold timbered land now acquired by private individuals, unlicensed timber cutting on the public roads has been, if not sanctioned and joined by the agents, at least tacitly allowed by them. Now one of the great inducements to persons to contract for the clearing, making, and forming of public roads in timbered country has hitherto been the value of the timber they could get from the road. This value has always formed an element in adjusting the money value of the contract. In some parts of Banks Peninsula, especially at Akaroa, one good tree even is worth no small sum, and many such trees would be found in the ordinary chain width of a public road. However, I find myself going into details on this question. I merely wish to draw the attention, through your columns, of the new government and of the public to a destruction of public property of value which by all accounts has received what is supposed to be official sanction. I trust that some one of our new M. P. C-'s. will show their aptitude for protecting the public interests by ' ventilating' the Forests Question in proper manners. And remain, Sir,

CUT FAIR.