THE STATE FOREST DEPARTMENT (RETURN SHOWING THE PRESENT POSITION OF).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1887 Session II, C-12

C—l 2.

Sess. 11.—1887. NEW ZEALAND.

THE STATE FOREST DEPARTMENT (RETURN SHOWING THE PRESENT POSITION OF).

Return to an Order of the House of Representatives, dated 23rd November, 1887. Ordered, " That a return be laid upon the table showing the present position of the State Forest Department; -such return to state—(l.) The total amount received from State forests since the appointment of the present Chief Conservator. (2.) The total expenditure for the same period. (3.) The results obtained. (4.) The earliest date at which the department may fairly be expected to become self-supporting."—(Mr. Bbuoe.)

Eetubn showing the Present Position of the State Foeest Department. (1.) Total Bevenue received from State Forests. Eevenue received since the appointment of the present Chief Conservator, 16th December, 1885, to 28th November, 1887 ... ... ... ... £6,580 18 4 (2.) Total Expenditure for the same Period. Actual expenditure, — State forestry ... ... ... ... ... £10,036 12 2 Agriculture, sericulture, &c. ... ... ... 1,966 12 11 12,003 5 1 Outstanding accounts and liabilities for work in progress ... ... ... 1,195 0 0 (3.) Besults obtained. The revenue of the department for the year ending 31st March, 1886, was £3,874. This is capable of indefinite expansion. The average annual revenue obtained from all New Zealand forests by the Crown Lands Department for timber-cutting licenses from 1883 to 1885 was £2,930. A uniform code of regulations for the measurement, valuation, and sale of standing timber has been brought into force in all State forests, and found to work satisfactorily. The loss by waste and needless destruction of standing timber has been reduced. Within the State forests last season not a single kauri was destroyed by fire. Large areas of growing timber that might otherwise have been destroyed have been preserved. It is not easy to compute the value of the saving under this head. A total area of 4,270 acres has been fenced at Maniototo, Waerenga, Kioreroa, and Papatawa. Four cottages have been built for nurserymen, with tool-houses and sheds. Upwards of 1,664 acres have been cleared, ploughed, and planted or sown with black and golden wattles, red gum (Eucalyptus rostrata), ironbark (E. leucoxylon), jarrah (E. marginata), stringy bark (E. obligua), &c. Nine acres trenched and planted with oranges, limes, olives, &c. Note. —Portions of the plantations are estimated to yield a minimum net income of £1,500 per annum within six years, increasing at the rate of 15 per cent, per annum for five years. About 380 acres cleared and ploughed for planting next season. About 20 acres deeply subsoiled or trenched. Many thousands of oak, jarrah, and other eucalypti, kauri, tanekaha, and other trees have been grown for planting out next year; also nursery beds sown with totara, californian redwood, Douglas fir, and others, including several profitable timber-trees not previously cultivated in this country. Experimental work has been commenced in the introduction of valuable economic plants suitable for subtropical or general culture. About 100 plates have been prepared for the publication of a descriptive work on the economic timber-trees of New Zealand, for the benefit of timber merchants, foresters, and others. (4.) Earliest Date at which the Department may be fairly expected to become Self-supporting. The revenue obtained from State forests has from the first afforded a surplus after defraying all cost of administration, including protection, valuation, &c, but the formation of plantations necessarily involves a considerable outlay, which is unremunerative for a few years. It was expected that the surplus would meet a large portion of the outlay until the plantations became profitable, but this expenditure could be reduced at once. Note. —The balance of expenditure over revenue has been met by the issue of debentures to the amount of £5,000 under the authority of section 7 of " The New Zealand State Forest Act, 1885." T. Kick, Chief Conservator of State Forests. [Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, nil; printing (1,273 copies), 16s. 6d.]

Authority: George Didsbuby, Government Printer, Wellington.—lBB7.