NEW FORESTS

Grey River Argus, 21 September 1944, Page 6

NEW FORESTS

N.Z. POST-WAR PROGRAMME OVER 100,000 ACRES P.A. WELLINGTON, Sept. 20 Hon. C. F. Skinner, Minister of Rehabilitation and Sate Forest, in the House to-day answered a question by Mr. A. S. Sutherland (Nat. HaurakD concerning the plans for afforestation. The Minister said that plans had been prepared by the State Forrest Service for a number of years past, and the preliminary steps to accelerate the planting rate after tne war were well in hand. “At least ten exotic forests, he said, “will be commenced as soon as the return of personnel to civil life and the availability cf plant and material permits. The location of the projected forests and their possible ultimate areas are: — North Auckland: Three areas totalling 36,880 acres. South Auckland: One area of 20,940 acres. Hawke’s Ray; One area y of 11,307 acres. Wairarapa: One area of 3,525 acres. West Coast: Two areas (one doubtful), totalling 7,275 acres. Otago: Three ai;eas, totalling 23,076 acres. Grand total: 103,003 acres.

The Minister added: “A commencement has been: made with the breaking in of land for nursery sites. Afforestation as a rehabilitation project for both the short and long term absorption of discharged' servicemen, is well in- hand-, and for this purpose 72,165- acres of land has been purchased, while approximately one , hu thousand acres is at present undei negotiation.”