C—4.

SUMMARY OF REPORT. To summarise the information contained in the following pages, it may be stated that, — Part I contains particulars of the indigenous forests, collected by the several Commissioners of Crown Lands and their staffs. The area of forest land, estimated quantity of milling-timber, and varieties of trees found in each land district are given, and every endeavour has been made to show the state of our present timber-supply. Part II comprises descriptions of the methods of sawmillers in New Zealand, showing how they fell and clear a milling-bush. It also includes accounts of processes for preserving and seasoning timber, and how wood may be utilised for purposes other than the supply of sawn timber to the building trade. Part 111 shows the absolute necessity for preserving a certain proportion of our native forests for protective purposes. It sets forth the evil effects of deforestation as experienced in other countries, and emphasizes the inevitable consequences that follow upon indiscriminate clearing, whilst explaining the true lines upon which forest-conservation should proceed. Part IV contains particulars of the estimated forest wealth of the world, with as full details as possible regarding those countries from which New Zealand expects to draw supplies in the future. The relative timber imports and exports of those countries is also given, so as to show the present margin available for the outside market; and a table of the quantities of timber imported into this Dominion for the past five years, with the countries of origin, serves to indicate to what extent we are now dependent upon foreign supplies. Part V sets forth the operations of the Afforestation Branch, and to what extent the treeplanting that has taken place since 1896 may be expected to meet the future demand for timber. The anticipated results are also given, and every endeavour has been made to show how far the State afforestation scheme may benefit future generations.

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