H.—sa

4

Pact 11,

According to Schubler, if we represent the power of calcareous sands to retain heat at 100, other earths retain heat in the following proportions : — Siliceous sand .. .. .. .. .. 95 6 Arable calcareous soil .. .. .. .. 74*3 Argillaceous earth.. .. .. .. .. 68-4 Garden earth .. .. .. .. .. 64-8 As siliceous sand enters largely into the composition of the soils of Victoria, it follows that the temperature of the earth might be beneficially lowered by protecting large areas from the influence of the sun's rays. Without committing ourselves to the theories advanced by many writers, we may yet assume with safety that a well-timbered country will possess a climate cooler and moister than one in the same latitude, and otherwise geographically similarly situated, which is deficient in forests. In the State Forest Reserves the present Conditions under which Licenses are issued for obtaining Timber should be abolished, and new Conditions imposed. In all the extensive reserves for State forests, the existing system of obtaining timber under wood licenses, and licenses to occupy sites for saw-mills, should be abolished, and in lieu thereof, a system should be adopted of letting to companies or individuals the exclusive right to cut timber on specified portions, subject to conditions calculated to insure the permanency of the forests, by the prevention of undue waste of felled timber, the protection of young indigenous trees, and the fostering of the growth of such non-indigenous trees as may from time to time be planted out in the denuded portions of the original forest. As these conditions would have to be very stringent, the rent to be paid for the exclusive right to cut timber on any specified portion of land in a State forest reserve might be made correspondingly moderate, provided that a guarantee was given for strict compliance with the conditions. Nature of the new Conditions under which Licenses should be issued. The conditions under which the exclusive right might be granted under license to cut timber on a tract of land in a State forest should be somewhat as follows : — (1.) That no tree shall be felled of less diameter than 18 inches, unless the licensee be specially authorized to cut such timber under exceptional circumstances. (2.) That, within a period of three months from the felling of any tree, the portion thereof not required for timber shall be cut up and stacked, with a view either to use or sale as firewood, or for burning where stacked during the ensuing winter months, together with any prostrate dead timber on the tract held under license. The gradual clearance from the ground of dead timber shall be effected by and at the cost of the licensee. (3.) No tree on the tract held under license shall be used merely for the purpose of obtaining bark therefrom. (4.) The licensee shall be responsible for the protection from injury, by working bullocks or other stock, of any non-indigenous trees that may from time to time be planted by the State within the boundaries of the land in his occupation. The licensee shall also be required to protect young seedling indigenous trees, with which object in view neither the licensee nor any of the persons employed by him shall be allowed to depasture goats on the tract of land held by him under license.

Victoria.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA. Sir, — Surveyor-General's Office, 28th October, 1873. Having inspected, with Mr. E. Smith, nurseryman, the proposed forest reserves north and south of Adelaide, I have the honor to make the following suggestions for the consideration of the Hon. the Commissioner :— 1. That the reserves be divided into three classes—northern, southern, and central—as follows, viz.:— "Reserves at the Never Never Ranges and Springs, Hundred of Bundaleer; Wirrabara Forest, south of White Park; east slopes of Mount Remarkable; and travelling stock reserves in the Hundreds of Northern District J Wongyarra, Appila, Crystal Brook, Whyte, Anne, Black Rock Plain, ixormern kismet Mannanarie, Yongala, Ayers, Hanson, Blyth, Everard, Boucaut, Goyder, Redhill, Barunga, Cameron, Kulpara, Kadina, Clinton, Terowie, Hallett, Kingston, Kooringa, Apoinga, and the Government Reserve adjoining Penwortham, Hundred of Clare.

South Australia,