D.—No. 22

Waiuku Highway District. 1. The present area is about 17,000 acres. The principal trees of value are puriri, rimu, and kahikatea. The land is of average quality, and comparatively level. 2. Twenty thousand acres. 3. About seven hundred acres. 4. On freehold land the forest has been felled and burnt off for the purpose of growing grass, &c. On Crown lands the only destruction has been the felling of timber for fencing purposes. 5. None from any of the causes mentioned. 6. None as yet. Second Series of Questions. 1. Bush reserves are decidedly advisable. 2. I can give no opinion on the subject, as no bush licenses have been held in this district. J. Kelehek, Chairman, Waiuku Highway Board.

Kaipara Highway Districts. 1. Inclusive of Native land, 500,000 acres; exclusive, 100,000 acres; generally heavy busli; valueless. 2. About the same. 3. Included in the first answer. 4. None. 5. None. 6. None whatever. Second Series of Questions. 1. Bush reserves are not advisable, but decidedly let them pass into freehold in order that they may be brought into a state of cultivation. 2. No licenses having been granted, I cannot express an opinion on the subject. All timber fallen for the use of the mills is taken off Native land. I could not recommend any system with reference to thinning the forest land with a view to preserving any portion of the timber. Chaeles Heath, Wbakahara.

Pukehohe Highway District. 1. About 10.000, mixed; no kauri ; £2 Government value. 2. About 15,000 acres. 3. About 3,000 acres. 4. No destruction of forest on Crown lands in this district. Freehold cleared of forest for pasture and fencing. 5. No destruction of forest by accidental fires or bush licenses in this district. 6. None. Second Series of Questions. 1. They ought to pass into freehold. 2. They would not affect this district. We do not think that the forests can be thinned without their absolute destruction. Benjamin Haeeis, Chairman, Pukekohe Highway District.

Mangapai Highway District. 1. Cannot ascertain. 2. Ditto. 3. There is much useful bush on Government lots around the Mata, and generally through Mareretu, Waikiekie, Kuarangi, and adjoining blocks. 4. Considerable destruction has been going on steadily on freehold lands, but comparatively little on Crown lands. 5. A considerable extent of excellent kauri was burned about ten years ago by kauri gum diggers. I am not aware that cattle destroy any quantity of bush, or that there are any holders of bush licenses. 6. I am not aware of any particular damage, but I certainly think that indiscriminate destruction of forests will in time produce destruction of property. Second Series of Questions. 1. Bush reserves may be advisable if watched over by a person responsible to the Government. The day will come when the forests of the North Island will be much sought after. Had the settlers good roads, a constant export of timber might be going on now. 2. There are no holders of bush licenses here ; but I have often observed, with much pain, magnificent trees cut down, a few short lengths cut off for shingles, and the rest abandoned. This indiscriminate waste is of great extent. A person should be appointed by the Government, with certain instructions, to supervise the thinning of the bush and prevent waste. The kauri trees might bo valued to bushmen, and a per centage of the price for cash received might go to remunerate the " Porester " or supervisor for his trouble, thus making the appointment almost if not quite self-supporting. lam of opinion that carefully selected supervisors in each district would tend to the better conservation of the forests of New Zealand. Mangapai, 22nd May, 1889. Wμ. Oemistoh-, J.P.

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