FORESTRY COMMISSION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 229, 15 February 1913, Page 8

FORESTRY COMMISSION.

THK DOMINION'S TiMUKII,

Wellington, Fi'id.i v

It is ollicially announ.vd that the foll(.\vin«f bare been appointed a commission to enquire into forestry mattert! in the Dominion:—Mr. Henry Douglas Morpeth llaszard, F.R.G.S., Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor for the Westland land district (chairman); Mr. Tlios. William Adams, farmer, Oreetida;-.', Canterbury; Mr. Samuel Isaac Clarke, builder, I'onsonby, Auckland; Mr. Leonard Cockayne, F.R.S., F.L.S., 1'.H.1)., Christcliureh; Mr. Frank Yates Lethbridge, faVmer, Feikling; and Mr. Charles Primrose; Murdoch, woodware manufacturer. Auckland.

The subjects on which the commission has to report as follows:' —(1) Which of the existing forest lands it is desirable to retain under forest covering, for the purpose of soil protection, prevention of denudation, water conservation, prevention of Hoods, climatic, scenic, or any other national benefit. (2) Which of the forests as are not required for any of the purposes mentioned in (1) but are suitable for settlement. sawmilling or other commercial purposes, indicating whether such areas bould be utilised forthwith or rendered ,p. ailable at some future period.

(3) The best method of dealing with the indigenous forests in the public interests generally. (4) Whether or not, in view of the large and increasing demand for white pine timber in connection with the butter industry, the exportation thereof should be wholly or partially prohibited, with regard to afforestation operations. (5) The probable future demand for timber for commercial purposes within the Dominion of New Zealand.

(6) The nature, and kinds of timber likely to be required. (7) How far the operations of the existing State nurseries and plantations meet the probable demand. (8) To what extent such operations should be supplemented and expanded. ,ind in what localities such new nurseries and plantations, if any, be situated. (9) Whether the present operations of the State are being conducted on satisfactory and progressive lines; if not, to what extent and in what manner the present management and control should, be altered.

(10) Under what conditions should the State encourage and assist tree planting by private individuals and local bodies, and generally any matters which, in the opinion of the commission, affects forest conditions and afforestation in the Dominion, or would tend to promote their development, including the necessity or expediency of any legislation in the premises. The Commission is to submit its report not later than April 30, 1913. Mr. S. I. Clark, of Auckland, was also a member of the Timber and Timber Uuilding Industries Commission, which produced a voluminous report in 1909.