FUTURE TIMBER SUPPLY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3885, 28 August 1928, Page 34

FUTURE TIMBER SUPPLY.

THE FORESTRY. DEPARTMENT. YEAR’S OPERATIONS REVIEWED. WELLINGTON, August 21. Approximately 35,000 acres of new plantations were created by the State forest service for the year ended March 31 last, establishing a fresh record and bringing the total area of State-owned exotic forest plantations to 133,997 acres. In addition, 2600 acres were forested last year by direct formation methods. A comprehensive programme for 1928-29 is outlined in the annual report of the Director, which was presented to Parliament to-day. ’lhe reports state that the afforesting of third-class and deteriorated lands that have been found useless for settlement is a forward step and a means by .which the waste lands of the,Dominion, which at present constitute a breeding place for noxious weeds and vermin, can be changed from a State liability to a valuable revenue-producing asset. “It is hoped in time by establishing local plantations/’ the report adds, “ to secure for each province in the Dominion its own self-contained timber supply.” To grapple successfully with the problem of the destruction of forest the report urges the adoption of recommendations suggesting a comprehensive system of fire protection of all indigenous and exotic forests, the reduction of most exotic wild mammals, bird establishment, and the rigorous protection and development of the indigenous avifauna, as well as the introduction of a practicable quarantine system to check the entry of exotic insects and the movement of exotic insects already established, but as yet of restricted ravage. Although bonuses were paid on 12,966 pig snouts and on 5795 deer tails, the report considers that on account of the natural increase of the animals some more wholesome method of reduction or extermination must be evolved to reduce definitely the herds to safe and reasonable limits. _ “ During" the year,” the report continues, “ the production of sawn timber fell considerably lower than was required to fill the normal demands of the industry. Owing to over-production during the previous two years the mills still had large stocks on hand. Despite the curtailment in production referred to a further decrease in the products appears to be necessary during the current year to enable the industry to resume its normal operations. “ The export of sawn timber for the year 1927 was the lowest experienced by the trade for over 30 years. White pine was the main sufferer. Overstocking during previous years, a poor dairy season in Australia, and the serious competition of lowerpriced Baltic and North American timbers have all combined to affect the white pine trade. The position is still serious, and with more than ample stocks in hand Australian buyers are not likely to increase their orders for some time. Rimu continued to suffer from the competition of North American and Baltic timbers, but beech was again exported in record quantities.” The report mentions that softwood timbers decreased in both quality and value imported, and totalled 33,276,000 feet b.m. for 1927, or over 7,000,000 feet b.m. below the peak trade experienced during the previous year. The revised afforestation programme for 1928-29 provides for the establishment of at least 54,000 acres of new plantations, and the direct seeding formation of an additional 13,000 acres. It is expected that this will necessitate the employment of approximately 1500 men per day during the winter months. In co-operation with the Customs Department steps will be taken to issue amended regulations in respect to the importation of timber to reduce to a minimum the possibility of the introduction of forest insect pests. Experiments to improve still further planting and nursery technique are in hand, and several new machines, planting tools, etc., will be tried out during the coming season. The present fire fighting methods and organisation will be strengthened and improved as a result of the experience gained during the past year. Experimental work in connection with the destruction of pigs and deer will be continued, and it is hoped that an early solution of the problem will be found. Further research work will be undertaken by the branch of Forest Products with the object of assuring a closer utilisation of the log by reducing the present mill waste in conversion. A survey of the possibilities of utilising the waste in the manufacture of by-products will also be made.

. The total area of State forests, provisional State forests, etc., under the service control at the end of the year was 7,708,489 acres—a year’s net increase or 81,645 acres as compared with the previous year’s figures.