STATE FORESTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 243, 12 September 1929, Page 6

STATE FORESTS

RECORD OPERATIONS* REPORT ON PAST YEAR. (Bv Telegraph. —Special to Standard.) WELLINGTON, Sept. 11. The annual report of the New Zealand State Forests Department mentions that the year 1920-29 constituted a new record lor State afforestation in New Zealand and for the British Empire, and one which may not again be reached in this Dominion. This was the establishment of 5/,406 acres ot new plantations, an increase of 22,0UU acres as compared with the previous year, or nearly treble the area planted during 1926-27. “This abnormal increase was due to the necessity for providing employment for those out ot work during the winter months, by way of an increased and accelerated planting programme, involving tfio engagement ot approxi nately iouu labourers at the peak period. lh© total area administered by the forest Service is now 7,i/b,915 acres, or approximately 12 per cent, of the superficial area of the Dominion. It is considered, however, that this should b® substantially increased to ensure a reasonable margin of safety. The trade depression through which the nulling industry has beet! passing is clearly reflected in the reduced timber sales for last year, involving a further marked decrease in the forest revenue. The re-establishment of this important primary industry is, however, slowly but surely progressing, and there are already signs of increased acceleration in this direction. DAMAGE BY DEER. Deer destruction is now being carried out systematically by .parties under forest officers in ali infested, areas. Assistance is being given by exporters in testing the world’s markets for the utilisation of hides, horns and venison with a view to enhancing the commercial value of the pest, and in order that a reduction in numbers may be achieved at as low a cost as possible. The sale value of red deer hides ranges from 4s to 5s 3d each according to size and the method ot fieshing and drying. There is undoubtedly a good market for mediumsized, well-dried, red deer hides foi utilisation in fine leather work. Lertain overseas manufacturers have been favourably impressed with the qualities of these hides, and it is anticipated that values will increase in the near future. There is no doubt that at the present time deer constitute the most serious menace to the btateowned forests, and in consequence ot their great numbers the forest floor has in many places been completely despoiled. In many parts of New Zealand regeneration has disappeared, and the plants which furnish most of the honey and berries upon wmen native birds subsist have been completely destroyed. The deer destr iction has not yet overtaken the •• vuiual increase of the herds. Malformation is prominent, and good heads are not obtainable in many districts. Notwithstanding the efforts made by seme of the acclimatisation societies to control this pest, it lias reached such proportions and constitute such a grave danger to the perpetuation of our native flora and fauna that it is now a national problem and should be nationally controlled. From the purely departmental point of view, it would appear that the Forest Service is carrying the chief financial burden of deer control and this expenditure must be reflected in the future cost of timber from exotic plantations.