PLANTATION BOARD.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17097, 21 February 1916, Page 2

PLANTATION BOARD.

VISIT OF INSPECTION. . Last- week the members of the Plantation Board paid a visit, of inspsction to a large number of areas under its control with a view to making themselves fully conversant with their condition and' oroaress. The party consisted of Witty, M.P., R- I>.; Morten, J. Storry, R. Nairn, &j A.; Staples and M'lhvraith (overseer). ,

The majority of the plantations were found to be in an entirely satisfactory, condition, seme having made magnificent growth despite the unfavourable weather conditions during the greater part of the last two years. In isolated cases the high winds had levelled-prac-tically all the trees., the popular pinus insignis appearing- to have been the principal sufferer, due, no doubt, to it? light rooting habit and its extremely, dense- foliage. The condition of a few; plantations from this cause was found to be so serious that members willprob-' ably recommend that the whole should; be 'removed and the ground replanted,' and it is not improbable that a trial will be made .of other Tarietie* of trees. In one plantation near Darfield a considerable quantity of timber has been milled, and several million feet of excellently sawn timber will shortly he available at a relatively lo# pric®.. During the tour the party xtafi'gf-' forded ;i" opportunity of several buildings constructed '- , whoUy| from pinus insignis from one bnard- s' plantations, and found thai they look-! ed quits as attractive and substantial I as those erected from more expen|fr-ej timbers. Experts state -that in tfcef first instance pinus insignis timber re-i quires more paint than some other, timbers, but that, if kept Well off the] ground, it has been proved to be morel durable than some native timber*) "Miieh are used so extensively.