PLANTATIONS BOARD WILL EXTEND WORK.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18062, 24 January 1927, Page 12

PLANTATIONS BOARD WILL EXTEND WORK.

SUPERINTENDENT REPORTS ON PLANS TO PROTECT TREES FROM FIRE. Tbe Selwyh Plantation Board met today. Present: Messrs 11. Stewart (chairman), K. Naim. G. Scott, J. Storr-y, G. Hall, Langdale Hunt, C. Wolfe, 11. A. Miller and C. 11. Adams. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT. Mr R. G. Robinson, superintendent, reported that fair, progress had been made with the works. All classes of trees were making very rapid development this season, but the strong cocksfoot, senecio, clours and other vegetation that had been established in re-cently-formed plantations were making surface conditions very dry, and would have a stead x*ing effect on young tree growth. Fair headway had been made at the Darfield plantation in the rnilb ing and disposal of 51.925 superficial feet Of pJhfc, 960 feet of gum, and 38 cords of firewodd. Steam would be superseded by electricity at Marshall’s mill soon. It would effect a saving of about 300 cords of slab fuel annually, besides minimising the risk of lire. At i the Ilororata Reserve, five men were felling the marginal line of 200 pines, and about 50 cords were being cut and stacked. About 65 cords of seasoned gum firewood were placed on rail from Turnbull’s plantation, where 42 cords were cut. Although about three miles of sod and gorse fences were levelled last year, it seemed highly necessary to continue that work with greater activity to ensure a reasonable safeguard against encroaching fires from highways. The report was adopted. AFFORESTATION SCHEME. An afforestation scheme for 1927-28 was outlined by the Superintendent. He stated that if the board’s projected planting scheme was to be carried out, it was necessary to resume more revenue-producing areas. The continued success of the general scheme could be assured only by having at least part of the second-grade afforestable land reserved annually for expansion purposes, in addition to the cut-out or under-planting, areas. Although somewhat early to accurately determine the number of trees that would be sufficiently robust for permanent planting during the coming season, the following estimate gave a Treasonable idea of the position: TREES AVAILABLE FOR PLANTING OUT, 1927. Pinus insignis (two-year-old), 250.000; Oregon pine (two and three-year-old), 100,000: Pinus Laricio. (two and three-year-old), 30,000; Pinus ponderosa (two and three-year-old), 25,000; C. Macrocarpa (in trays), 10.000; Eucalypti (in trays), 5000: total, 420,000. That number at varied spacing distances', would be sufficient to plant slightly over 500 acres. The following areas were available for planting without seriously interfering with revenue from rentals: Acres. Turnbull’s reserve (Burnham) .. SO Sawmill reserve (Darfield) .... 20 Bruce Bros.’ reserve (Greendale) 70 Grigg’s reserve (Bankside) .... 30 Tranters’ reserve (Te Pirita) 70 J. Higljt’s reserve (Hororata) . . 50 Joblin and Wclburn reserve (Darfield) 50 Rcddicliffe's reserve (Te Pirita) 50 420 That was in addition to having perhaps to re-plant customary failures in the previous season’s work. During the comin gtour of inspection opportunity might be taken of deciding upon the resumption of land for planting in 1928. Near Dunsandel two reserves of second-grade value returning low rentals and quite suitable for aiforestating were: Reserve 1763, lessee J. Burgess, 406 acres; rental 2s 6d per acre (£SO 16s). Reserve 1764, lessee D. W. Westenra, 654 acres; rental 2s 4d per acre (£76 Is 2d). The gradual resumption of one or both of those reserves would meet the position. The report will be considered after the annual tour of inspection. TOUR OF INSPECTION. During the coming tour of inspection on March 7 and 8 was arranged. Members will meet at Rollcston Junction at 10.15 a.m. on March 7. They will inspect reserves and firebreaks along the railway line to the Rakaia River, drive through the plantation to Hunter’s Road, and hold a meeting of the board at Hororata Hotel in the evening. On March 8, the route will include the Coalgate-Waddington Road, and Aylesbury. The party will return to Rolleston Junction at 4.30 p.m. on March 8.