Record Timber Production In Gelson-Marlborough

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29205, 16 May 1960, Page 12

Record Timber Production In Gelson-Marlborough

(From Our Own Reporter) • GREYMOUTH, May 13. Timber production in Nelson and Marlborough increased last year by 2,000,000 board feet over the record 1958 figure, reaching 28,000,000 board feet. About 5,250,000 board feet was exported to Japan, and 4,100,000 board feet was sent to the North Island. The value of output increased over the year by about one-quarter to more than £1,250,000. These figures were given in the annual statement of the Nelson conservancy of the New Zealand Forest Service to the Nelson-Marlborough-West Coast League of Local Bodies at its annual meeting in Greymouth today. The statement was signed by the actingconservator, Mr R. W. G. Janson.

“The forest estate within the provinces of Nelson and Marlborough comprises something like 40 per cent of the total land area,” the report says. “During the year there was a net increase of some 8000 acres, but between 600 and 700 acres were released for settlement.

“New plantings in exotic State forests covered 1202 acres, an increase of 350 acres on the figures for the previous year. Private exotic planting amounted to another 800 acres. Exports “The provinces have increased last year's production record by some 2,000,000 feet board measure, the figure being close to 28,000,000. The continuing Australian export market has undoubtedly assisted. Practically 95 per cent of this, all private output, is from exotic forests within 30 miles of Port Nelson. “Log output from State exotic forests doubled that of last year to reach the equivalent of 4,750,000 board feet. Provincial fruit case production was up by 125,000 cases, recording in all, 1,900,000 cases.

“Sawn output of indigenous timber is estimated to be about 19,000,000 board feet, half of which came from State forests with the remainder from Crown and private holdings. “Shipments of logs to Japan amounted to 800,000 cubic feet from Port Nelson and 180,000 cubic feet through the Port of Picton. This was a new activity and represents the equivalent of

approximately 5,250,000 board measure, all from private forests. “Shipments of sawn radiata pine to the North Island eased from 4.6 million board feet to 4.1 million board feet. On production figures the value of output has increased from something like £1,000,000 to more than £1,250,000. “The summer fire season proved to be a worrying time for both farmer and forester. So high did the fire hazard become that the Forest Service was obliged to take unprecedented steps by imposing a total ban upon the lighting of fires in the open throughout the counties of Waimea, Golden Bay, Marlborough, Awatere and the sounds.

"It was gratifying to receive almost spontaneous public support, including that of the Press, and with ready co-operation by country fire authorities it was possible to lift the total restrictions within three’ weeks.

“In spite of light falls of rain, howeve?, the overall gravity of the situation remained, and it was necessary to continue with an aerial patrol. A new fire district—area 35,000 acres—was set up in the Moutere area and is controlled by a rural fire committee as provided for in the Forest and Rural Fires Act 1955, Training “Nelson Conservancy has assumed responsibility for the training of various groups of officers. Besides the junior woodsman training school at Golden Downs, where a four-jear course in all forestry skills and trades is conducted, a new training centre has been set up at Reef ton. There junior rangers are given indigenous forest training on a course lasting one year. “The Blue Glen hunter training scheme at Golden Downs continued to give a brief preliminary course for prospective recruits. If recommended, they were posted to the D,ip Flat hunter training camp in the upper Wairau valley where extension training under strict supervision led to the graduation of 50 qualified hunters.

“Bearing in mind the importance of inculcating a sense of responsibility for good public relations, the final screening of these men is a careful one. From about 100 entrants only 50 qualified during the year. Some 16 men are still on course. “To obtain first hand expression of groups of people all interested in the noxious animal problem, advisory committees chaired by the conservator of forests or his deputy were set up in the provinces of Nelson and Marlborough. Several meetings have already been held.