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available is 9,145,000,000 superficial feet, an apparently almost endless supply. Bimu or red-pine is the predominant timber, and alone contributes 7,913,000,000 ft. to the above total quantity. " The estimated quantities of superficial feet of timber given in the foregoing can only be considered as a rough approximation. No figures can be accepted as absolutely reliable until official detailed estimates and valuations have been made. No effort will be spared to obtain precise information as to the area of forests, and the classes and quantities of timber contained therein. _ " A cognate subject to that of the kauri-timber industry, and which, like the kauri-tree is peculiar to the North, is that of the kauri-gum industry. The gum is dug over the areas upon which kauri grew in the years of the long past—viz., from the North Cape to the Waikato. All over the open ti-tree area's and in the swamps it is found. It exudes from the kauri-trees growing at the present time, but is far inferior in quality, and commands a much lower price than that dug in the open where no trees are now found, and which is evidently the product of trees that existed centuries ago, and fell into the ground when the trees died. The gum is found only in clay soils or sandy loam, and never in volcanic soil, and is dug from depths varying from a few inches to several feet, and in varying sizes from a piece the size of a nut up to that of sometimes over 801b. in weight. As.far as can be gathered, the kauri-gum deposits are of various ages, proved by the depth of the overlying mass of soil. " Ever since about 1860 has this gum continuously been dug, over an a.rea about 200 miles long by fifty to sixty miles broad, out of which perhaps about 2,000,000 acres is gum-bearing, giving employment at times to a nomadic population of five thousand to seven thousand men, the annual product of such labour being from 8,000 to 10,000 tons, of a value of over £400,000 per annum. From the commencement of export to date it is estimated that over ten million pounds worth of gum has been won from the ground. " It is no wonder that when the average wage of £4 to £5 per week was constantly being made, combined with the knowledge that it was being dug from Crown lands free and open to all, there should have been attracted to this colony a large 'alien population, whose only object was to earn quickly and easily a (to them) handsome competence with which to return to their native land. To stop this inrush of foreigners, 'The Kauri-gum Industry Act, 1896,' was passed enacting the proclamation and setting apart of kauri-gum areas for the sole use and benefit of adjoining settlements, and making unlicensed digging the subject of penalties. This legislation should tend to the lengthening very considerably of the time within which, like the kauri-tree, this valuable product will be exhausted." Though Mr. Kensington's compilation as to the quantity of available milling-timber is more favourable o than previous estimates, it is clear that the supply will only be sufficient for a comparatively few years. _ . , , The Chief Forester's report has not been available, but 1 have gathered from his monthly reports that the work of the nurseries has been carried out in a satisfactory manner, and that a large number of tree plants have been reared. The various plantations under the charge of the Department appear to have been well looked after. The experiments in testing the possibility of converting the Kamgaroa pumice wastes into pastures have, I regret to report, completely failed. On the other hand, tree-planting on similar lands has been eminently successful so far. Seeing that some of the most valuable totara, matai, and rimu forests in the Taumaranui district have been produced on land permeated with pumice, it seems reasonable to conclude that it would be possible to utilise the extensive wastes m the interior of the North Island for the growth of the most suitable and useful trees, so that in the years to come the productions of a territory, which at present are almost ml, may take a premier position in sustaining the timber supplies of the colony, and in maintaining the numerous industries dependent thereon. If, upon careful inquiry, you, Sir, are satisfied as to the feasibility of the proposal, then there should be no delay in entering upon the undertaking promptly and on a comprehensive, well thought-out scheme, founded upon the best expert advice available. It approved, a large expansion of the nurseries will be one of the first steps. Beserves. The following are particulars of the reservations of Crown lands for various purposes effected during the year in terms of section 235 of "The Land Act, 1892," and other.special Acts. The small area under the heading " Primary Education " is accounted for by the fact that 5,210 acres could not be permanently gazetted until formally and legally sanctioned. Beserves Gazetted during Year ended 31st March, 1902. Purpose of Reserves. Area. A. B. p. Primary education ... - • 608 0 0 Public-school sites .ron qs Becreation grounds ... ••■ ••• ■•• ••• i 709 on Scenery preservation ... ... ■•■ ••■ •■■ ' a a Growth and preservation of timber ... •■• ••• °£L U U State forests b >j™ ° " Plantations *™ ° w National Park, Otira ... ,11'ann n n National Park, Bealey 150,000 0 0 Biver protection ... 7>,9UU U U Conservation of water-supply ... ••• •■• ••• o_ 235 Cemeteries ... ••• ■•• ••• ••• ••■ Q Q „ „* Miscellaneous Total 198,124 2 19

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