OUR TIMBER SUPPLIES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14684, 18 November 1909, Page 8

OUR TIMBER SUPPLIES

ROYALTIES AND AFFORESTATION.

(I'HOM OUR OWN Correspondent.!

WELLINGTON, November 17. A question of considerable interest to local bodies has been brought before the Priino Minister by the members of the North of Auckland deputation who have been in Wellington this week. In 1905 an act was passed providing that onehalf of the timber and flax royalties should be paid to the local bodies for road purposes. These " halves" were paid for some Ume in vfepect of same timber on the Tokatoka Flat, but some time ago it was discovered by the department that, according to the act, the "halves" should not be paid on this timber, on the ground, it is stated, that it had been sold by the Crown prior to the passing of the act. Mr Slade (chairman of the Hobson County Council), who has brought the matter under the notice of the Primo Minister, stated that when Mr M'Nab visited the North of Auckland as Minister for Lands he promised to endeavour to secure an amendment of the act in order that the payment of,the money might be continued. The Prime Minister's reply is that lie does not think it would be wise or prudent to give the local bodies the desired sharo of royalties on such timber as that in question, as the money is required to provide for the scheme of State tree-planting, which must go on extensively. A large portion of the expenditure involved in this scheme must, he says, come from the royalties on the present timber supplies. " '