25

H.—s

Province. The blue gums have been destroyed by frost in the interior, but the red is considered to endure it better. No artificial planting of any extent has been done in the inland districts. A row of trees may be planted round a garden, or a small patch at a homestead, but the land possibly has been trenched, and perhaps even manured. To see trees grow rapidly under such circumstances, -would be no surety that they would spring up so quickly on the land in its natural state and by the usual mode of planting. 15. State the portion of your district where timber is most required.—Artificial planting should be encouraged along the valleys of the Waitaki, Upper Clutha, Manuherikia, on the Manototo Plains, and near Clueenstown, or any district where an agricultural population is likely to be settled. If plantations could be raised at intervals along that stretch of excellent country extending from Manototo Plains to Ida Valley, the brown, scorched appearance which the country now presents, and which must be the result of prevailing drought, would be materially affected for the better, and a very different appearance would be presented to the intending settler. That long stretch of superior agricultural land from the Elbow, extending along the undulating country east of Tapanui to the Clutha, is also very sparely supplied with timber. There is no doubt but this large extent of country will yet rise to considerable importance as an agricultural district, and the native forests in the vicinity of Tapanui should be preserved for the future requirements of this valuable portion of the Province. Here in the course of the next ten years a large population will be located, and the want of material specially needed for settlement will be severely felt if some measures be not taken to meet this great necessity. 16. Give area of district in square miles. —5,120,000 acres. To any country the importance of its forests, whether natural or artificial, is well known. Their presence softens the severe frost and cold of winter, and abates the scorching effect of the summer sun. They form a considerable barrier to the effects of rainfalls on declivitous slopes and flooded streams, and in any landscape have a most pleasant appearance. I trust, therefore, that prompt measures will be taken suitable to the urgency of the occasion—measures that will arrest the rapid destruction of the fine forests of the Province, and be beneficial to the best interests of this growing community. I have, &c, J. T. Thomson, Esq., Chief Commissioner, J. Innes. Waste Land Board, Dunedin. i

Pabt I.

Eeports, 1874 Otago.

Mr. Hughan to Mr. Thomson. Sir, — Taieri Beach, 6th January, 1874. In reference to your letter of the 3rd of November last, concerning the bush reserves in my district, I have the honor to enclose you my report thereon, and I have answered the queries as correctly as possible. A large portion of the Tautuku bush is in part of Catlin's and Glenomaru districts, but I have included the whole in the acreage of the Tautuku bush. I have, &c., Thomas Hughan, J. T. Thomson, Esq., Chief Commissioner, Dunedin. • Ranger.

LIST of BUSHES in the SOUTHERN DISTRICT, showing the Acreage both Public and Private. Nos. 1 and 2.

District. Public. Private. Total. ikatore Harendon /anada Busli ... )lutha i-lenkenich 3-lenomaru £aitangata 'opotunoa lankleburn ... ?autuku Vetoes ?uturau tV'aikaia (or Switzers) rrr 840 1,650 100 280 2,436 1,344 566 292 5,000 200,000 5,420 759 6,000 1,003 2,500 2,050 336 120 380 250 255 150 2,890 1,986 100 400 2,816 1,594 821 442 5,000 203,000 5,720 894 6,000 1,623 3,100 700 3,000 300 135 iVarapa iVyndham inch Clutha 620 600 700 228,190 8,896 237,086