GROWING TIMBER

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 170, 8 October 1927, Page 18 (Supplement)

GROWING TIMBER

HOME OF AFFORESTATION Although space hardly permits of a detailed report of the multitudinous activities of the district, mention must be made of the afforestation work carried out at Rotorua. According to a report published by the conservator of forests, the growth of timber trees in Rotorua is un-

equalled in any part of New Zealand. In the forest is a wealth of rimu, totara, matai, k'ahikatea and miro which is being extensively milled and which is producing a splendid class of timber.

Tree-planting work by the State was commenced in the year 1898, when a nursery was started at Wliakarewarewa, two miles from Rotorua. Extensive development has since taken place and this is at present the headquarters for the afforestation activities in the North Island. During the year 7,649,050 trees were planted on 12,728 acres at Kaingaroa, S 5 per cent, over all species surviving. Experimental direct sowing was also carried out on 2,408 acres. Tree-raising operations at Rotorua nursery and the branch nursery at Kaingaroa last yeEir were stated to have given excellent results. The total amount of seed sown was 3,0051 b., and the resulting crop is estimated at 22,500,000 seedlings. In the season 1927-28 it it proposed to establish 15,000 acres of new plantations at Kaingaroa, the direct formation of 3,600 acres by direct sowing and to raise 20,000,000 trees. Milling of native timber has been in operation in the district for over 30 years. Large mills have been constantly working in various parts of the district, constituting an industry of no small proportions.