FORESTRY LEAGUE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3619, 24 July 1923, Page 5

FORESTRY LEAGUE.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the New Zealand Forestry League was held in Wellington on the 17th instant. The President (Sir James G. Wilson), in his address from the chair, said: There was something inherent in the human family, which led us to love the ferest and its inhabitants. It might be dormant and require cultivation, but it was there if one would but encourage it. The public knew that efforts must be made to grow timber, and if only a few enthusiasts would make a beginning there should be no difficulty in having branches dotted all over the dominion. We must remember the grain of mustard seed- The planting of trees was brought forcibly before us every day now that electric power boards were daily entering into contracts for poles. Not a day should be lost in making a start to plant trees suitable for this purpose. We had only one native species which we could use —viz., silver pine—but it was scarce, and did not stand the same strain as the eucalypts used, although quite suitable for general purposes. It was, however, scarce, and that of the West Coast of the South Island was almost worked out. The State, in this matter, should be the pioneers. “It is doubtful,” continued Sir Jas. Wilson, “if the climate of much of New Zealand is suitable for the growth of the best species for pole purposes, but there must be a large area in the North suitable, and only awaiting planting. There have been so many disappointments when imported Australian poles have been used, that the utmost ea.re is necessary to ascertain the proper varieties to grow. Our progenitor, the late Sir David Hutchins, in his report, advised that E. Cormvbosa should be planted north of Auckland to supply sleepers,, but its habit. I have heard, renders it unsuitable for poles, though extremely durable. There are others which are recommended, but these three species stand out on their own strength and durability- If the Government would procure seed true to name and plant a plot for demonstration purposes, many would no doubt follow suit. Given suitable laud and climate and a successful plantation in 20 or 30 years from planting it is certain that such poles would be worth £1 a piece. Planted 6ft r part there would be 1210 trees to the acre. The advice to plant pears for your heirs might be paraphrased into: Plant eucalypts as an endowment. for every child when born, and it would beat all possible insurance investments. .“It would be well if the Forestry Service were to make careful investigation as to the best timbers to grow for this purpose in Australia, in conjunction with the Forestry Department in the various States While these mentioned are undoubtedly suitable, the supply of these, owing to the great number we require will soon be scarce. In accordance with their usual habitat they may require to be grown in the warmer districts in New Zealand. It may be that some variety, quite durable and suitable for pole purposes, might be found in Tasmania, and if so could no doubt be grown in southern districts. If this investigation were made and an authentic report published, it might be the means of saving a very large sum to New Zealand. Already many poles have had to be renewed after a very short, service, and there are signs that many more will soon have to be placed. The only drawback to the eucalypts is that in some districts they are attacked by a scale which lias done great damage on the West Coast, but its natural enemy, the ladybird, has been liberated in the plantations, and it is hoped will be able to cope with the pest—as it has already done in the South Island. “The question of the export of timber is now in the hands of the Forest Department, and while the league in general is in favour of New Zealand timber for Now Zealanders. there may be some special cases in which a relaxation of the stringent rules might be politic, so as to enable the poorer classes of timber which otherwise would be wasted being classed ag exportable. The sawmillers have given us cordial support, and have worked well with the service. We should at all times give their interests full consideration. Another point which more and more will become important when privately-owned timber areas are cut out, is the question of royalties. As royalties go up owing to the scarcity of available forest, so must the price of timber rise and the additional cost lie passed on to the user. Although no doubt more and more use will be made of concrete for building purposes, there must, ever be a demand for timber. The Forest Service, which in a couple of decades must be the holders of most of the millable timber, should be chary of undulv raising the royalty. They have not shown any indication of this; but it is a point, which must be kept in view. “The State Forest’ Service, under Sir Heaton Rhodes, himself a true lover of trees, now administers about seven and a-half million acres of forest, but there are still large areas of native-owned and Crown forests which it is essential in the interests of the State should be brought under the control of the service. Most of such areas are, indeed, only mountain forests of little direct, commercial value, but thev are of the highest, importance from the fact that they function in the direction of minimising floods on the valuable agricultural lowlands, erosion, denudation, and the silting up of streams and harbours. They also provide recreational resorts for the people, and have a. definite effect in moderating climate. These mountain forests in some cases may be gradually converted to commercial forests, but in any case they require expert management to protect them from fires, trespass by stock, game poachers, and destructive wild animals. They should therefore be administered by the State Forest Service.” Many of their members were much interested in the National Park, which was now quite easy of access, and it. was gratifying to note that a board had been set up and generous sums had been donated for its use. The area had been largely extended, but it should he the duty of the State to provide a sufficient sum to allow the board to establish a hostel for visitors. Since their last meeting a Native Bird Protection Society had been formed, for birds were provided by Nature to ’assist forestry. When lie (the speaker) came to New Zealand there were thousands of pigeons, parakeets, and kakas, but he. had not seen one for many years. One of the sights of New Zealand at the time the Manawatu

Gorge bridge was being built—and to l.im more pleasing than the scenery—was the thousands of pigeons fluttering like so many butterflies on both sides of the river. Even the kingfishers were now extremely scarce, and the society had been established none too soon. He was sure that the society had their cordial support.