FORESTRY LEAGUE.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19734, 26 September 1929, Page 13

FORESTRY LEAGUE.

ANNUAL MEETING HELD.

The annual meeting of the Canterbury branch of the New Zealand forestry League was held yesterday afternoon at the office of the secretary (Mr K. Browning;, Hereford street. Present; Messrs James Deans (chairman), J. Young, William Goss, G. L. Bull, M. Dalgiel, F. L. Hutchinson, C. E. FoweraKer, and K. Browning. The annual report and balance-sheet, a summary of which has already been published, were adopted. The election of officers resulted as follows:—President, Mr C. E. Foweraker; vice-president, Mr W. H Winsor; committee, Messrs D. Bates, M. Cethell, G L. Bull, M. Dalgleish, William Goss, J F. Scott, J. Young, J. Deans, F. J. Hutchinson, W. W. Mulholland, R. Nairn, H. Rosendale, and Dr. £]. T. D. Acland; honorary secretary and treasurer, Mr R. Browning; honorary auditor, Mr Cookson. Mr Deans, speaking before the adoption of the animal report, referred briefly to the Empire Forestry Conference,' uie outstanding event in forestry during the year. He said that it was a great pity that more time could not have been spent in New Zealand, as another opportunity would not be available for many years of having in the Dominion such a concourse of eminent ioresters. "It is a very gratifying fact to know that the State Forest Service was able to make a record planting last year—a totnl area of 57,000 acres being planted. This is a reocrd New Zealand lias reason to be proud of, and I believe, easily a record for the British -Empire. "Planting costs are being steadily reduced." He went on to deal with the problem of the exibtiag and projected vast tracts of artificial plantations. On the question of utilisation oi the trees and the thinnings, he considered that it was a matter which the League might well take up. -'lt has been proved that many of our locally-grown timbers compare quite favourablv with the imported article, but cannot compare with it in the price received." A serious position was arising over the land which would be available in the future for afforestation purposes. Cheap land was certainly available, but at considerable distances from the railway .services and from metropolitan centres, and these two factors were of much importance.

4 letter was received from the Superintendent of the Selwyn Plantations, Mr R G Robinson, which enclosed an oxtensive itinerary for the proposed inspection of the plantations by member* of the Forestry League. /Ihis field day will probably be held on October" 19th. The exhibit of the League at the Koyal Show will be oemfined to the three timbers, pinus insignia. Douglas fir, and macrocarpa. A fine display is expectedu