FORESTRY.

Grey River Argus, 26 July 1922, Page 8

FORESTRY.

THE DIRECTOR ON THE SERVICE. REPORT ON WORK DONE. WELLINGTON, July 24. A comprehensive review of wlial the State Forest Service has accomplished since its inception in 1920, was given by Mr L. Macintosh Ellis, Director of Forestry, at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Forestry League. ‘•When th*e Government, in 1919, after mature deliberation/’ said Mr Ellis, “enunciated a policy of forest conservation for the Dominion, it must have been obvious that if that policy were to succeed a clean break would have to bo made with th*e past, with its bungling, and its makeshifts. It must have been evident that the ideals and traditions of a laissoz fa ire policy of drift could not by any stretch of the imagination be expected to deal with production of timber crops, nor with the many other problems relating to the business of forestry. It was quite natural, therefore, that the then Minister of Forestry, Sir Francis Bell, should set up a new instrument of action through which the new forest policy might function.” More definite achievement, the Director claimed, had been accomplished in the progress of State forestry business since forestry was set up as a definite branch of the Public Service than was effected during a long period of years. Over 7,000,000 acres of land had been dedicated to forestry and timber crop production. Three thousand four hundred acres of trees were planted by the State last year, as against a previous planting of 1380 acres. Dur ing the year 4,000,000 trees had been planted by private individuals as against thousands before. Extensive forest reconnaissances had been made of the forested timber lands in many parts of both islands, with a view to determining their value in the schema of timber production, water eonserva tion, stream flow, and climate. An exhaustive commercial investigation has been begun into the possible practical uses of the beeches, tawa, rata, and other so-called “weed” trees, the wood pulp and paper values of our mill and bush waste, and ways ami means for utilisation of the eight to ten million tons of timber which goes to rot and up in smoke every year. “But much still remains to be done.” concluded the Director of Forestry. “Forestry is just in its childhood. It has yet to weather the storm and period of childish diseases. Tne forestry train, figuratively, after having been derailed six timesi by ivtrenchimenlj and looted by public indifference, is now approaching its seventh danger spot—a “sinkhole’ under the rails. Will it stay on the track and gel to its objective ahead safely? 1 believe it will!” At the conclusion of the meeting a most interesting exhibition of pictures showing the timber resources of the Dominion was given, and proved most illuminating. Besides being of high educational value, the pictures and slides were remarkable for their great scenic beauty. This is the first of twelve series of pictures which th® State Forest Service is preparing dealing with the subject it controls.