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New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4199, 4 September 1874, Page 2

“ I should like to read a little of New Zealand forestry by some one that has studied it.” In this form a correspondent of the Nelson Colonist expresses a wish which is probably shared by many. If he is sincere and industrious in hia search for information, he will, no doubt,'be able to gratify his desire to some extent by perusing the papers which, during the past session, were presented to Parliament; and, proceeding further, he might gain much knowledge, though not without some trouble, by acquainting himself with the contents of several able and elaborate reports which have been made on the subject to'the Provincial Government of Otago. His meaning, however, probably is that he should like to have, in small 'and concentrated form, as much available information on the subject as he can possibly procure ; and his suggestion is one which might well be acted upon. It is questionable' if any one person can,- from his own 'experience and observation, produce a satisfactory book on New Zealand forestry; but some experience, associated with the collation of particulars from authorities in the several timber-carrying parts of the Colony, might be made the basis of a work on forestry such as would be acceptable to many readers. It is worthy of the consideration of the .authorities whether it might not be well to encourage the publication of such a work by affording special assistance and information to anyone who may be able and willing to become its author. As a rule, the public are at present ill-informed as to the nature and qualities of many of our native woods ; they are equally so as to the description of timber which may be most successfully cultivated, and on both points information becomes the more desirable the, more that settlement extends.

The fisheries of Ireland have been for many years a great institution, but of late they seem to have experienced a remarkable decline. It is found that in the past year only .7181 boats, employing 29,307 men and boys, were in the deep-sea fishing, as compared with twice that number of vessels, and three times the number of men and lads, thirty years ago. As compared with 1872 the - falling-off in the number of boats was 738, and of 2004 in their crews. It is found, also, that the larger fish have now to be sought farther at aea than in ** days of yore,” and under greater risks. Something of the decline is attributed to the action of the merchants, and the apathy of landlords and others, who do nothing whatever to encourage the fishermen, or to lend them a helping hand when misfortune overtakes them. It is stated by the Royal Commissioners who have lately been investigating once more the condition of the Irish fishery, that the late member for Drogheda—Mr, Benjamin Whitworth —two years ago' offered a donation of £2OOO towards a Fisherman's Aid Fund, on condition that £BOOO bo subscribed by Irish proprietors interested. No response has been made to the offer, though it has since been increased to £2500.