SELWYN PLANTATIONS BOARD.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 17983, 29 January 1924, Page 5

SELWYN PLANTATIONS BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. Tlie monthly meeting of the Selwyil Plantations Board was held yesterday, Mr G. H. Billiard, Commissioner of Crown Lands, being in the chair. There were also present—Messrs G. , Scott, W. T. Popple, G. Hale, J. btorry, C. H. Adams, S. A. Staples, K. -Nairn. C. Wo;fe and G. Witty, M*..f. ■The superintendent (.Mr E. G. itobmson) in ius monuny report stated that satisfactory progrcs3 nad been made m tho work under hij control. The abnormally dry conditions experienced had proved to be very trying, not oniy lor nursery stock, but lor tiees well established. -b or a period of 3even weeks ending December 18th only ■92 in of rain fell in the DariieJd district and the gocd effect of occasional showers immediately discounted by almost continuous drying- nor'-westers. Under the circumstances the results attained in the season's general afforestation were most gratifying. Few deaths in the lines were noticed and the development of Oregon and pinus ittsignis could be attributed to the liberal use of the hoe in keeping the surface free. The seedlings in beds were also making good headway. Planting out on cultivated land had proved to be the most successful method in afforesting arid surfaces in the season, and neariy the whole of tlio planting work had been conducted on such prepared land. At Bankside, however, Oregon pine and pinus insignis failed to survive the hot, drying winds, and tho foliage was scorched even before the root system became disorganised. With the exception of cutting into firewood a few faiien trees caused by gales on two occasions, no timber cutting had been done, and only SO cords of gum and pine firewood were put on rail. Fair headway was being made by the contractor in the milling of the Coaigate reserve, from which 15,(>'22 superficial feet of pino anti cords of fuel had been taken and disposed of. By the end of February, the contractor hoped to have completed the milling and would remove the plant to Racecourse Hill. As circumstances permitted such work as general hoeing and weeding, water-race cleaning, cutting obnoxious plants, and rabbiting had been carried <^n. The report was adopted.

Mr Eobinson, in some discussion cn the report, said that the success achieved had been phenomenal in spite of the dry year. The superintendent also called attention to a fire which had occurred on January sth, stating that it was generally believed the fire was due to carelessness in billyThe Board decided that the fire was probablv jdue to a passing- motor car. The chairman reported cn the difficulties of subdividing the Cashmere property, and it was decided to call for tenders for the purchase of the property, which is 87 acres in extent.

The financial etafement showed a credit balance of 7s lid.