NEW ZEALAND STATE FORESTS ACTS (PARTICULARS AS REGARDS PLANTATIONS UNDER).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1903 Session I, C-12b

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1903. NEW ZEALAND.

NEW ZEALAND STATE FORESTS ACTS (PARTICULARS AS REGARDS PLANTATIONS UNDER).

Return to an Order of the House of Representatives dated the 24th July, 190 S. Ordered, " That there be laid before this House a return showing (1) the total araa planted with forest trees up to the 31st March, 1903, under the provisions of 'The New Zealand State Forests Act, 1885,' or any other Aots; (2) the total cost of such planting; (3) the area, if any, which has been destroyed by fire or otherwise; (4) the present estimated value of such plantations ; and (5) the amount proposed to be expended on forest-tree planting during the present year."—(Mr. Flatman.)

Return showing (1) the Total Area planted with Forest Trees up to the 31st March, 1903, under the Provisions of " The New Zealand State Forests Act, 1885," or any other Act; (2) the Total Cost of such Planting; (3) the Area which has been destroyed by fire or otherwise; (4) the present Estimated Value of such Plantations; and (5) the Amount proposed to be expended on Forest-tree Planting during the Present Year. 1. Total area planted with forest trees up to the 31st March, 1903, under " The New Zealand State Fotests Act, 1885," or any other Act: 18,343 acres. 2. The total cost of such planting : £59,076. 3. The area which has been destroyed by fire or otherwise : 368 acres. 4. The present estimated value of such plantations : £52,208. 5. The amount proposed to be expended on forest-tree planting during the present year : (See No. 5 below.) The above areas and amounts are distributed over the Auckland, Wellington, Marlborough, Canterbury, Otago, and Southland Districts, and the plantations were started under the Foresttrees Planting Encouragement Acts of 1871, 1872, and 1879. It has been found difficult to obtain exact figures owing to a large proportion of the work done being of a private nature. This portion of the return must therefore be regarded as approximate only. In addition to the foregoing, the following figures relate to the planting operations carried out by the Government from 1896 to 1903, in various parts of the colony : — 1. Total area planted with forest trees up to the 31st March, 1903, under the control of the Chief Forester : 1,438 acres. 2. The total cost of such planting : £37,692. 3. The area destroyed by fire or otherwise : Nil. 4. The present estimated value of such plantations, including stock of trees, horses, implements, &c.: £57,470. 5. The amount proposed to be expended on forest-tree planting during the present year: £28,000. Approximate Cost of Paper. — Preparation, not given printing 1,250 copiesl, 18b.

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