TREE-PLANTING IN CENTRAL OTAGO.

Otago Witness, Issue 3315, 26 September 1917, Page 13

TREE-PLANTING IN CENTRAL OTAGO.

Our Tapanui correspondent writes: "I have read with pleasure the annual report on State forestry, and the letter appearing in your Saturday's issue, under the heading of 'Tree-planting in Central Otago,' has certainly a tendency to mislead pubio opinion regarding experimental work conducted by the department. The following interesting reference to the GalMway experimental planting, on page 19 of the report was written by Mr li. G. Robinson, Superintendent of Nurseries for the South Island, and distinctly alludes to the afforesting of the arid hillsides near Alexandra, not fertilo flats suitable for orcharding: Galloway Plantation. Exceptionally robust specimens of Pinus pondeiosa" P. Laricio, and P. radiata were raised at Ranfurly and Tapanui nurseries for the second trial in' this small reserve; and, although ideal conditions during the planting period were experienced, the subsequent drought accounted for wholesalo losses, and proof beyond a doubt has now been secured that it is impossible to create forest plantations generaly on the dry hills in this district without the application of water. On 'the cool lee-side of the hill probably 30 per cent, of Pinus radiata are succeeding, so that it is reasonable to assume that a fair measure of success would bo attained in afforesting the more humid and moisture-retaining valleys surrounding. It is not desirable at the present moment to dismantle the fence, as already the native grasses in the enclosure unmolested by the rabbits, are making great progress, and another year's protection will undoubtedly, without artificial aid, convert the barren surface of 18

mouths ago into a useful pasture. "I venture to say that Sir Robinson would be able to furnish abundant evidence of the successful planting in' all parts of Central Otago of trees supplied from both Ranfuxly and Tapanui nurseries if the ordinary discretion has been used by the planter. It is to be regretted that a lai-ger circulation of the annual report and greater publicity is not given to the operations of the expanding Forestry Department."

WYNDHAM A. AND P. SOCIETY. The annual meeting of the Wyndhanp-A. anud P. Society was presided over by Mr D. Caldwell, who, in moving the adoption of' the annual report and balance sheet, said that the financial position of the society was satisfactory, the sum to credit being larger than in the previous year. The report states that there is a balance of £B2 Bs, and there are no liabilities. The election of officebearers resulted as follows: —President, Mr A. Home; vice-president, Mr O. Milne; treasurer and auditor, Mr D'A. Raymond; committee —Messrs David Caldwell, T W. Foster. John Mao Kay, John M'Donald, G. T. Pulley, Robert Hunter, Johnston Wylie, Thomas Morrison, Andrew Howe, Peter Campbell, and J. J. Christie. It was decided to hold the annual show on Wednesday, November 21.

COMMERCIAL CABLEGRAMS. LONDON, September 18. Lead: Imports, 15,858 tons; exports, 645 tons. ,

September 19.

At the tallow sales there was a strong demand at extreme prices owirig- to the continuous shrinkage. Fot\r hundred and seventy-nine casks were offered and sold. Mutton: Fine, 71a 9d; medium, 68s 6d. Beef: Fine, 725; medium, 68s. September 20.

The Bank of England returns show that the stock of gold coin and bullion is £52,325,000; reserve, £32,508,000} proportion of reserve to liabilities, 19.23 per cent. The notes in circulation total £40,656,000; Government deposits, £40,765,000; other deposits, £1i!0,2i56,000; Government securities, £58,145,000; other securities, £96,462,000. Short loans aro discounted at 4£ per cent., and threo months' bills at 4 13-16 per cent. Consols are quoted at" £55, and war loan bonds at £B7 and £94 7b 1 bd. Following are the quotations for colonial stocks, as compared with those for the previous week: Sept. 13. Sept. 20.

* 192 D-40 currency. t 1920-30 ourrency. The wheat market is lifeless. The commission's offerings are small, and prices are unaltered. In flour there is little doing at the reduced official prices. Oats, peas, and beans are firm at full late rates. Sugar: Granulated, 36s 9d. Tho butter- market is bare of colonial pending the arrival of 60,000 boxes of New Zealand, which is expected early in October. Other sorts are almost equally scarce, and some districts of London are without butter. There is a growing impression that the Food Controller will take over tho distribution of butter like cheese. Tin: Spot, £243 2a 6d; threo months, £249 7s 6d. Silver, 44d per oz. Other metals are unchanged. September 22. Rubber: P«ra, 3s 2Jd j plantation and smoked. 2a 9j|d. Mutton. —Australian, other meats unchanged. Rabbits are very scarce, and are in strong demand. The Greek currant crop is estimated at 130,000 tons.

Victorian 4's ... 954. 954, Victorian Si's ... 85 851 Victorian sj's * ... 60J 70 Victorian 8's ... 621 63J New South Wales 4's ... 8 if 82$ New South Wales 3i's ... 87 98J New South Wales Si's t ... 80i 808 New South Wales 3's ... 70 69$ Queensland 4's ... 90J 90| Queensland 3J's - VA 87J Queensland 3's ... 61} 62J South Australian 3i-'B 724 721 South Australian 3'3 ... 58§ 67 New Zealand 4'a ... 86J 861 New Zealand 3Vs ... 73? 7 3 New Zealand 3'3 ... 63 . 63J Tasmanian 3A/a ... 724 72J Tasmanian 3's — — West Australian 3J's 74i 74| West Australian 3's ... 69 69J