I—C. 4.

C—4

Sess. 11., 1887. NEW ZEALAND.

STATE FOREST DEPARTMENT. (PROGRESS REPORT OF THE), FOR YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1887, BY T. KIRK, F.L.S., CHIEF CONSERVATOR OF STATE FORESTS.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

Dueing the year a large amount of solid work has been accomplished, although but little of it is of a showy character. New forest regulations have been brought into force throughout the colony, with satisfaction to that portion of the community most directly interested, the enormous waste and robbery carried on for many years past have been greatly reduced, and the income for the first year has exceeded the amount anticipated, although it was late in the season before the regulations were generally enforced. Lastly, the formation of new plantations has been commenced. Bevenue. The income for the year ended the 81st March, 1887, was estimated in last year's report at £3,500. Notwithstanding the depressed condition of the timber trade, the amount actually received is £3,874, of which one-half was paid during the last quarter of the financial year, that is, after the new regulations came into force. The additional amount required to carry on work is obtained by debentures issued under sections 7 and Bof the State Forest Act. If the cost of the agricultural section be deducted from the total expenditure, the outlay on forestry proper for the last year exceeds the income by the sum of £845 only. Forest revenue is derived almost exclusively from royalties on timber, and, as these are extremely low—only 3d. per 100 ft. superficial for the common kinds—it is obvious that no hindrance is thrown in the way of the converter. EXPENDITUBE. The total expenditure for the year amounts to £5,770 9s. lid., which may be divided as under: — £ s. d. Office, including salary of Chief Conservator ... ... 868 6 6 Conservation ... ... ... ... ... 1, 261 6 4 Plantations ... ... ... ... ... 2,181 15 8 Preparation of plates for " New Zealand Forest Flora " ... 407 18 6 Agricultural Section, and items not connected with State forests... 1,051 2 11 £5,770 9 11 Conservation comprises the salaries and travelling expenses of Eangers and Foresters, whether permanent or temporary. The salaries of nurserymen, the cost of cottages, fencing, seeds, tools, labour, and travelling expenses are charged under " Plantations." The items under " Agriculture " will receive attention in a separate paragraph. A further sum of £69 19s. 4d., interest on debentures issued, has to be added to the amount stated; but, as it is charged under permanent appropriations, it is not shown above. State Foeest Begulations. During the past year the different provincial regulations for obtaining timber from State forests have been abolished, and one uniform code has been brought into force throughout the colony. It was not to be expected that such a radical change could be made without a certain amount of opposition; but it is only just to say that any prejudice that may have been raised disappeared at once when the regulations were fairly discussed. The Hon. the Commissioner of State Forests met the principal sawmillers of the Marlborough District at Havelock, when a solitary concession was suggested, which it was found could be readily granted. I had the pleasure of meeting the chief sawmillers of Southland, a district in which timber conversion is almost exclusively restricted to State forests, when each regulation was carefully considered on its merits. Two emendations were suggested, one of which has been adopted and the second partially adopted. In no single instance has it been found necessary to modify any of the principles involved, while in practice the regulations have worked smoothly, and have proved satisfactory alike to the sawmillers and the department. Some of the principal timber merchants stated that, in their