3

C.—4

Wellington. The Wellington District is, for convenience, divided into three portions, each' of which is under the charge of a separate Ranger, who periodically visits the various areas within his charge. The western portion extends from Taumarunui on the north to Waikanae on the south, and in this area fifteen mills are at present working. Thus number will probably be increased ere long in the Waimarino district, on account of the North Island Main Trunk Railway opening up the vast forests in that locality. At present the output is estimated at 14,535,000 ft. per annum. The central portion of the Wellington District embraces the country from Turangarere to Pohangina, and in this are.a are located thirty-two mills, some of which will soon be ceasing operations. The output from them is given as 33,333,000 ft. per annum, being mostly rimu and matai, with smaller proportions of totara and kahikatea. The southern and eastern portion of the province reaches from Akitio, on the Hawke's Bay boundary-line, to Wellington at the south, and thirty-six mills are at present working therein, with an approximate output of 22,270,000 ft. per annum. The principal timber cut is the useful rimu, with matai, totara, and kahikatea in smaller quantities. From these details it will be seen that the Wellington District now contains eighty-three mills, with an estimated annual output of 70,138,000 ft., as against seventy-three mills, with an output of 55,860,106 ft., two years ago. The increase is chiefly in the country traversed by the North Island Main Trunk Railway, between Mangaweka and Raurimu, and there is a likelihood of further development now that the line is nearing completion. Marlborough. Marlborough's supply of milling timber remaining uncut is not very great, only amounting to about 187,000,000 ft., and last year's output was about 9,500,000 ft. But the available supply includes inferior timbers not being worked at present, and it is estimated that only from 80,000,000 ft. to 100,000,000 ft. of marketable timber is readily accessible. The industry is fairly steady in this district, and the local demand accounts for 6,000,000 ft. out of the 9,500,000 ft. cut. Interesting particulars are given in the detailed report, further on. Nelson. In Nelson there still remains about 6,700,000,000 ft. of milling timber, as against 6,944,000,000 ft. in 1905, and last year's output is given as 16,594,399 ft., of which three-quarters comprised rimu (red-pine). The demand has considerably increased since 1905, when-there were fifty-eight mills, with an output of 13,191,807 ft., which have grown to seventy-one mills, with the above-quoted output, and there is every probability of a still larger expansion of the milling trade. The report on page 34 contains many interesting particulars on the subject, and the manner in which operations are carried on at the present time. Westland. Next under review is the Westland District, in which, although there are two mills less than in 1905, there is an increased output of over 7,000,000 ft. per annum. The timber most'y cut is the very useful rimu (red-pine), which forms the bulk of the present forests in the province. Following this comes the kahikatea (white-pine), whilst silver and black pine are also cut for certain purposes, and totara is much in demand. As Westland is now one of the largest timber districts in the colony, both in production and future supply, it only needs further development to witness a large increase in the sawmilling industry, and it appears probable that in the immediate future a great proportion of the timber used in the cities and towns of New Zealand will be derived from this district. At the present time there is estimated to be a total of 6,731,3( 0,000 superficial feet of milling timber available ; but it is probable that, when as detailed and elaborate inspections of Ihe forests are made in West.'and as in some of the more settled districts, a greater quantity of timber may be found available for future requirements. Canterbury. The timber industry in Canterbury is still diminishing in extent, and only nine mills, with an estimated output of 1,164,000 ft. per annum, remain working. In 1905 there was a similar number of mills, but their output was given as 2,696,000 ft. a year, so that it is evident the forests are almost cut out in this part of the colony, and no doubt when the Midland Railway is completed from Westland the bulk of timber-supplies will be obtained from there. Through the lack of suitable timbers, birch is now largely utilised in the district, and seems to answer well, and it is possible that in other parts of the colony the same result will be observed in years to come. Otago. Otago has decreased from ten mills in 1905 to nine in 1907, but their output has slightly increased, from 2,918,000 ft. to 3,190,000 ft. per annum. Rimu again is the chief timber used, but kahikatea, maire, totara, miro, and beeches are also cut. The demand locally absorbs practically all the supply, and the trade is not likely to assume' larger proportions. Southland. In Southland the number of mills has dropped from fifty-six in 1905 to fifty in 1907, and their output from 39.893,000 ft. to 38,087,000 It. As there is not a very large supply of standing timber remaining in the district, it is probable that the sawmill trade will gradually decrease, and at a not very distant