STATE FORESTS

Hokitika Guardian, 16 October 1933, Page 2

STATE FORESTS

SOUTH ISLAND PLANTATIONS i • WELLINGTON. October 12. Since practically all 'the South Island plantations are fully planted the future planting operations of the State Forest Service will be confined to the North Island, states the annual report of the Director of Forestry (Mr A. D. MeGavoek), which was presented in the House of Representatives to-day. The severe financial crisis through which the Dominion is passing has been reflected in tile decreased area of new plantations established during the year. This area was less than 18,000 acres, the smallest since 1925. The total plantation establishment is 393,700 acres. The projected planting programme for the coming season is 35,000 acres, of which about 30.000 acres are in the North Island.

The report says that practically all of the work of planting was carried cut by relief labour, and it was to be regarded as reasonably satisfactory. It was pleasing to note that sawmi.llers generally were gradually beginning to realise the necessity for kiln drying their timber. Kiln drying was extensively practised in America and .Europe, and unless New Zealand timber merchants were prepared to adopt similar methods they could not hope to compete wijfch foreign countries on level terms, .

The quantity of timber exported in 1932 exceeded the 1931 total by nearly 10,000,000 feet, broad measure, with ft greater value of more than £BO,OOO. On the other hand, the imports for the same period showed a shrinkage of more than 60 per cent.

Revival in the wood consuming industries in Australia had restored the export trade in Otago and Southland silver beech to 1,500,000 feet- for 1932. It was probable that as a result of the visit cf ii timber delegation to Fugle.nd, a profitable export trade would be developed w'th the United Kingdom, and already initial orders bad lieen booked for more than 500,000 feet, .

Describing the year’s work as varied . and arduous, the report ment' cus that the increase in mining activities in State forest areas throughout the Dominion had added greatly to the work in certain regions, notably Auckland, Nelson, and Westland.