H.—s

18

Pabt I,

Analysis of Reports, 1869,

No. 2. REPORTS RECEIVED, 1874. CIRCULAR TO SUPERINTENDENTS OP PROVINCES. Sir, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 15th October, 1873. 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 Session of Parliament, viz.:— " That the Government should invite the various Provincial Governments to consider how best to prevent the wasteful destruction of the forests of the Colony, and 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 suggestions and recommendations with regard to the Province of , in order that a report may be compiled for presentation to Parliament next Session. I have, &c, Daniel Pollen.

Reports, 1874.

OTAGO. His Honor J. Macandrew to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Province of Otago, N.Z., Sir, — Superintendent's Office, Dunedin, 7th May, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your circular letter of the number and date quoted in the margin, with reference to the supply of statistics and recommendations upon the best method for preventing the wasteful destruction of the forests of the Colony j and in reply to enclose, for the information of the Government, reports upon the subject from the Forest Rangers appointed under the Waste Land Board of this Province. I also enclose a report from the Sub-Committee of the Waste Land Board on saw-mill licenses, which has been forwarded to me for the purpose. I have, &c, J. Macandrew, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Superintendent. Mr. Innes to Mr. Thomson. Sir, — Land Office, Dunedin, 17th February, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 3rd November, 1873, in which you inform me that the Colonial Government have invited recommendations and suggestions how best to prevent the wasteful destruction of the native forests of the country, and wherein, also, you request me to report on the forests in the districts under my charge, and to answer, as nearly as possible, the queries which are there given. I have carefully examined the large forests on Lake Hawea, the Matukituki River, Lake Wakatip, and the extensive forests on the Te Anau and Manipori Lakes. The Dingle River forest, Lake Hawea, consists of black, white, and red birch, of fair average quality: It is still in its natural state, and contains an area of 11,000 acres.

Reports, 1874 Otago.

Analysis of Coeeespondence rel; itive to Condition of the Foeei its of New Zealand — continued. Questions. Mablboeough. Cantebbtoy. Otaqo. Southland. WeSTLAND. (1.) Arebushreserves advisable, or should the forests be allowed to pass into freehold, with a view to their better conservation than at present ? Timber should be utilized for export, not merely burned for clearing. No. Should be allowed to become freehold. Bush reserves inadvisable, but must be eonceded to satisfy feelingof labouring class. Sell remainder as fast as possible. Should be allowed to become freehold. No. No. Supervision expensive and unnecessary. Bush licenses inadvisable : they lead to waste, and prevent the sale of land as freehold. New plantations should be encouraged, rather than preservation of old forests. Yes. Appoint a Ranger, and restrict the effect of each license to a particular area. None granted. Systematic clearing is wanted. (2.) Does the system of granting bush licenses lead to an extravagant waste of the forest; and could you propose any system of supervision by which the forests might be thinned without their absolute destruction ? Yes. Appoint wardens, and do not grant other than original area to licensee till it is completely cleared.