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some little trouble, and I have no doubt you would experience the same thing here at the start. The want of knowledge as to planting was surprising. It seems a very simple thing to plant a tree, but I was utterly astounded at the ignorance which prevailed among people generally in the simple act of planting a tree. I inaugurated a system whereby information is given upon the notices sent out to people obtaining trees. In these, full directions for planting and care of the trees are given, and it works very satisfactorily. lam sorry I was not aware of the scope of this Conference, or I would have brought over a set of forms which I used; but, however, on my return I will send them over to your secretary. I mentioned the sugar-gum; there is scarcely a farmer from all parts of Victoria that does not ask me for sugar-gum. I distribute about thirty thousand every year. It is a tree which, I think, might grow very well in Auckland. Ido not think that it will grow in the South Island, because it does not stand the frost. The cost of the Macedon State nursery—this is our largest, and, in fact, our distributing nursery—is about £1,200 to £1,400 a year, and the results amply justify the continuance of it; and I think it would be very hard work now to abolish it. I hope that forestry will be taken up by the Government in no half-hearted spirit. It is no use inaugurating forestry, gentlemen, unless it is intended to go on with it. You might just as well stop as you are at present. I would not care to say too much on this subject at this stage, yet I feel that I should make a few remarks on this matter, because it is of most vital importance to your colony. I do not mean in the sense that you have got no timber to send away. This is, comparatively speaking, a treeless country, and I think, if forestry were properly carried out, it would be of inestimable advantage to your people ; and I only hope and trust that the Government will see its way to establish forestry on a proper basis and not go back from it, and grow trees for your commercial uses. Clause 3 adopted. Clause 4: " That a qualified practical man be appointed to organize and direct forestry operations in the colony under the Lands Department, and the committee urge that great care should be taken to obtain a really good man." Mr. Trapp (Auckland) : As regards the Government, we have had a little bit of experience of it. We have had a book prepared —half of it was " cobbed," and the other part of it is not worth the paper it is written on ; and I think the Government should withdraw this book straight away to prevent it going any further, and doing any further harm. A Member : What is the title of the book ? Mr. Trapp : When I read the book I was so disgusted with it that I did not take the title. Certain things were shown to me that were absurd. If the Government are going to have people to look after the forestry, they should have really good men that understand the work. It is no use them thinking that they are going to get anybody at ordinary labourers' wages to look after it; they want a man who is well up in it. If they do not do that all the good of this Conference will be useless. It is not any use the Government interfering in any way unless in the Forestry Department ; and unless they get an absolutely good man it is far better to leave it alone, and let people get on the best way they possibly can. Mr. D. Goldie (Auckland) : I have very great pleasure in supporting the clause; and I presume the book referred to by Mr. Trapp is the " New Zealand Timbers and Forest Products," compiled by Sir Westby Perceval. Mr. Trapp : Then, Sir Westby Perceval ought to have been more careful before he allowed the book to be published, because he could have read what Mr. Kirk had to say and left the other out, and he would have done more good. Mr. Goldie : I think we ought to recommend the Government to be very careful in what they are doing in these matters. Certain persons who have got the ear of the Government—evidently men of the right colour —want situations to compile these books, and very likely these men would simply ruin us. I have very great pleasure in supporting. Mr. Trapp, " That the Government should be exceedingly careful in selecting persons who have some knowledge with regard to forestry." Mr. T. Tanner (Hawke's Bay) : I understand, Sir, the person recommended to the Government is one who understands the planting of forest-tree's —he is, in fact, a forester. Well, I suppose Professor Kirk is sufficiently acquainted with the subject to be the appointee of the Government for such a purpose. Ido not think we should be too hard upon the Agent-General for publishing that pretty book. If you look through it you will see some very pretty pictures. There is no doubt it was published more to amuse the people of England than for any good that was likely to accrue from any business transactions that would be likely to follow. It will not be necessary to condemn it in too severe terms. The Chairman : Do I understand that Mr. Trapp and Mr. Goldie wish to add to this clause, " That the Government should be careful in their appointment of a duly-qualified man." Mr. Tanner : The appointment of a person who is acquainted with the Forestry Department—in planting especially. Mr. Prouse (Wellington) : I would suggest that the word be " qualified." The Chairman : "As a duly qualified man, acquainted with the planting and growing of forest trees." Mr. Trapp : While on this subject I might state that the Government were recommended to have a wharf at Home. Only those who have something to do with timber-yards know the expense of them. That wharf would cost them not less than £2,500 a year; and if the Government are now asked not to do it, Mr. Perrin says they could very well run two State nurseries, which would be of more benefit to the colony than one wharf, which would be an absolute loss. The Chairman: I have amended the clause—viz., "That a qualified practical man be appointed to organize and direct forestry operations in the colony under the Lands Department, and the Committee urge that great care should be taken to obtain a really good man." Adopted.