SELWYN PLANTATIONS BOARD

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21147, 24 April 1934, Page 5

SELWYN PLANTATIONS BOARD

DEMAND FOR MILU.MJ TIMBER

The Commissioner of Crown Lands. Mr W. Stewart. presided at. a meeting of the Schvyn Plantations Board yesterday morning. The superintendent 'Mr R. G. Robinson i reported as follows for the period ended April 11: "The weather favoured afTo"estation work in rill stages. The 1.300,000 young trees at. the Dnrfield nursery have made an average l development, while all classes of trees in recently established plantations arc making strong autumn growth after remaining partially dormant during the early summer months. "The three: sawmills have been kept busy during the last six months, although a reduced output is expected during the winter period. At the Springfield mill some 3.'-!,440 super feet on timber was sawn into easewood, while the month's output at the Hororata mill exceeded 65.000 super feet. A good demand for sound milling poles exists and the Canterbury pine plantations are likely to be drawn upon extensively in the future for local and export trade requirements. "Firewood cutting is being hurried on wth at live plantations where some 225 cords of pine, gum and wattle were cut and stacked during the month. Although all the dry pine has been disposed of a fair quantity of seasoned wattle and gum is still available. At Oliver's and McHugli's plantations there are about 220 cords of pine in stock that will require at least another month's drying before being fit for household use. Som" 875 cords of firewood are now in stock. "Workmen are now engaged in preparing ground for planting at Burgess ieserve, near Dunsandel, and work of similar nature will be commenced at •several reserves towards the latter part of the month. Rabbit trapping and poisoning will be put in hand immediately and hare drives in the Dunsandel district will be necessary to rid the enclosure of the increasing pest." Trees at Sandy Knolls It was stated by Mr A. E." LangdaleHunt that Ihe' plantation ad.jacchl to the railway station in Sandy Knolls was in a poor condition. He said that he had been informed that the plantation was not even suitable for grazing. He thought that the area ought to be cut out and replanted. The superintendent iMr R. G. Robinsoni replied that a good many of the plantations were in the same state, but there were others which necessitated more immediate attention than the one mentioned by Mr Langdale-Hunt. The board discussed in committee the lease of a reserve, part of which is occupied by the Waimairi Golf Club.