FOREST RESERVES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 132, 5 June 1901, Page 5

FOREST RESERVES.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, this day

The Premier, under whose administration land settlement has been carried on since the retirement of the Hon. J .McKenzie, has adopted a very excellent course in connection with the Eancliff settlement, South Canterbury, which is to be -disposed of by lease on the 25th inst. Out of the= whole estate, which has been acquired from the New Zealand Trust and Loan Company under the Land for Settlement Act, 538 acres will be offered, and 206 acres, comprising a plantation, will be retained. This plantation was.neglected by the company, but under the management of the Government it will in course of time become a ver} r valuable property, and will probably supply timber to K^iet the whole wants of the district. Though this is not an entirely new feature in the Government land policy, it marks an increasing intention to set aside timber reserves in suitable localities, in order to compensate for the destruction of timber hy settlers whose chief desire is to clear their lands for sowing in grass, in order to rear sheep or cattle, or to establish dairy farms. It is understood that the Premier will, whereever possible, in disposing of lands set aside ample forest reserves.