C—3

4

The increased values of our indigenous timber have resulted in the felling and utilization of large quantities of Pinus radiata from farmers' plantations and shelter-belts. In many cases these plantation-trees had reached their natural maturity, and, provided new plantations are made, their use for timber was advisable, but it is to be feared that high prices have induced many farmers to fell plantations which should have been retained for shelter-purposes. Import of Timber. The following return, furnished by the Comptroller of Customs, shows the total quantity and value of the various timbers, tan, bark, &0., imported into New 'Zealand, and the net Customs duty collected thereon, during the year ended 31st March, 1920. The quantity of timber imported exceeded that of last year by 6,697,568 ft.

Export of Timber. The following return, furnished by the Comptroller of Customs, shows the total quantity and value of timber and tanning-bark exported from New Zealand during the year ended 31st March, 1920. The amount exported is less by approximately 15,000,000 ft. than for the previous year. No timber-export duty was collected.

Item. Quantity. Net Duty collected. Value. (1.) Round, logs — Ironbark Other timbers [2.) Hewn logs — Ironbark Jarrah Other timbers [3.) Sawn, rough — Iron bark Jarrah Oregon pine (Canada) Oregon pine (U.S.A.) Other timbers 1.) Sawn, dressed — Miscellaneous Sup. ft. 849,019 59,108 £ 58 7 £ 16,590 962 1.819,376 101,813 1.463,043 175 33,968 1,726 20,518 116 433,180 4,098,151 3,150 2,886,651 5,123,089 247 661 3 2,849 5,823 7,837 47,884 35 26,947 120,823 31,062 72 983 Total 16,867,642 10,011 278,273 [5.) Laths [6.) Palings, split 7.) Rails, split [8.) Posts, split |9.) Shingles Number. 1,172,652 83,280 147 67 2,974 913 1,076,250 132 2,486 Total 2,332,182 346 6,373 10.) Miscellaneous timbers 11.) Tanning-bark 12.) Wood-pulp Tons. 3.184 94.2 15 400 230 2,179 39,990 23,018 Total 4,126 64.5 65,187

Item. Quantity. Duty collected. Value iauri Vhite-pine iimu Seech iliscellaneous (New Zealand) ,, (not New Zealand).. Sup. ft. 3,719,610 34,827,162 12,125,889 772,661 2,264,588 15,092 £ £ 45,763 317,150 96,135 7,266 18,362 269 Total 53,725,002 484,945 Canning-bark (New Zealand) Tons. 47 564