THE WASTEFUL DESTRUCTION OF FORESTS.

Southland Times, Issue 1814, 4 November 1873, Page 3

THE WASTEFUL DESTRUCTION OF FORESTS.

The following letter was forwarded by the Provincial Government for the consideration of tbe Otago Waste Land Board : — Coloni-il Secretary's Office, Wellirmton, October 15, 1873. ffis Honor the Superinfendent of Otago. SlB, — I have the honor to inform you that the following report was brought up by the Committee on Colonial Industries, and adopted by the House of Representatives during the recent section of Parliament, viz. :— " That the Government should invite the various rovineinl Governments to consider how best to prevent the wasteful destruction of the forests of the Colony, ani to supply statistics and recommendations for the consideration of Parliament." I should therefore feel obliged if your Honor would be good enough to furnish me with cujigeetions and recommendations, with regard to the Province of Olago, in order that a report may be compiled for presentation to Parliament , next session. 1 have, &c. Daniel Pollen, Colonial Secretary. Mr Strode was of opinion that the only way to save the bush from wasteful destruction was to sell the land as speedily as possible. Mr Clark thought it was evident that tbe plan adopted some time ago of leasing the bush upon the condition that the ' parties should plant the land with forest trees as they cut down the timber, had failed completely. Mr Bastings said the reason was because the land had not been taken up for the purpose stated. The Chief Commissioner was of opinion that to save the forests one of the most rigorous systems possible would be required — one that no Colonial Government could carry out. ' Mr Clark thought the Waste Lands Board had acted wrongly in granting so many sawmill licenses. There were small patches of bush all over the country that would be of great value to the settlers ; but they were now being completely cut down and destroyed for the public works that were being carried out. He would be inclined to suggest that the Government should offer a prize for the best pamphlet on the subject. The Chief Commissioner thought that if such a prize were offered they would be flooded with useless projects of all kinds. They must not ignore the fact that by planting they could grow a blue gum 50 feet high in ten years. He thought the new system adopted by the Government of giving £4 for every acre of private laud planted with forest trees, would prove very beneficial. £10 an acre would not be too much. Mr Strode said it waa terrible to witness the destruction of the forests going on at present. Wherever the sawmills had been at work, tha ground was covered with the decaying tops of trees, while all the good timber had disappeared. Mr Clark instanced several bushes that might supply the surrounding districts for 25 years, but wherever the saw-mills set to work there was not a good tree left standing. Mr Strode thought there could be no objection to permitting Baw-tnillers to go into large forests like the Seaward Bush in Southland. The Chief Commissioner remarked that the forests in Southland were very liable to destruction by fires. When he first explored that country, he saw no less than 5000 acres destroyed by one fire. It was resolved that the various Bangers should be requested to furnish reports upon the forests in their districts ; a schedule of questions to be drawn up by the Chief Commissioner