FORESTRY METHODS

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 59, 3 December 1926, Page 10

FORESTRY METHODS

VICTORIA AND NEW ZEALAND

INTERCHANGE OF OFFICERS

During his visit to the Commonwealth of Australia a fe wmonths ago, the Director of Forestry, Air. L. M. Ellis, discussed with the Victorian Forestry Commissioner the advisability of an interchange of forestry officers between Victoria and New Zealand, it being considered that very great mutual benefit would be derived from such visits. The respective Governments have now approved this exchange of officers and definite arrangements giving effect to the proposal have been made. The two Victorian officers are Messrs. Horne and Rust, and they are due in the Dominion within the next few days. Mr. R. B. Steele, B.Sc., of the New Zealand State Forest Service, will leave for Australia to-dav, and another forestry officer in about a week’s time, the latter appointment not vet being finallj’ decided upon. The exchange, no doubt, will prove of invaluable benefit to both countries, particularly as far as Victoria is concerned, seeing that New Zealand has done a great deal more tlian any other State or Dominion in the British Empire in the direction of establishing artificial forests on waste lands. Forestry was first started in New Zealand in a small way in 1896, and since then there has been an aggregate area of 80,000 acres of plantation of various valuable timber trees established by the State in this Dominion. In Australia they have verylarge supplies of various kinds of eucalyptus timber trees, while only a comparatively small amount of coniferous (soft wood) timber trees have been planted. It is evident, therefore, that Australian forestry officers have a good deal to learn from the experience that has been gained by the planting of more extensive areas in New Zealand. In respect to the advantages to be gained by New Zealand officers from a visit to Australia, it may be stated that during the last twelve rears or more the extensive eucalyptus forests of Victoria have been ■ under, competent management. As there is a large field for the growing of these valuable hardwoods in the Dominion, it is confidently expected that the New Zealand officers will_ obtain a special knowledge of the silvicultural management of those types of eucalyptus tree which will be valuable for cultivation in this country.