XXXV

H.—24,

Comparison with New Zealand.

FOREST RESOURCES OF AUSTRALIA FOR PERIOD ENDING 1905. (Extract from Minutes of Evidence taken by the New South Wales Royal Commission of Inquiry on Forestry, 1908, page 796.)

Mr. Hay, Acting , Chief Forester, New South Wales, stated that an analysis of these figures showed that, in comparison with its total area, Australia had an average of about 1 wooded acre in every 18, and 1 acre reserved or set apart for forestry in every 109. In comparison with its population, there was for each unit 469 acres available for occupation, 26 acres wooded, and 42 acres reserved or set apart for forestry purposes. In comparison with the total area of the continent, the area reserved or set apart for forestry was about o'9 per cent. In European countries, with their dense populations, the percentage ranged from 56 per cent, in France to 14 per cent, in Italy, and 26 per cent, in Germany, Hungary, and Sweden. The commercial value of its forests had yet to be appreciated. Although not extensively wooded, Australia possessed timbers of rare merit and great utility. Increase of population anil internal development would enhance the value of forest resources and create great demands for timber. *

APPENDIX H.

RETURN SHOWING NET RECEIPTS FROM STATE FORESTS. (As shown in the Animal Statement of Public Accounts, 8.-l.) Year ended Tteeemts Year ended Receints 31st March. Receipts. 3 lst March. Keceipts. £ s. d. £ s. d. 1886 .. .. Nil. 1899 .. .. .. 5,844 6 6 1887 .. .. .. 3,873 15 5 1900 .. .. .. 8,845 18 10 1888 .. .. . 3,772 12 11 1901 .. .. .. 14,915 5 3 1889 .. .. 2,438 13 0 1902 .. .. .. 17,188 11 5 1890 .. .. 3,754 9 1 1903 .. .. .. 3,870 14 10 1891 .. .. .. 3,973 611 1904 .. .. .. 16,726 3 5 1892 .. .. 1,964 15 10 1905 .. .. .. 12,784 2 8 1893 .. .. 1,212 17 10 1906 .. .. .. 14,385 7 3 1894 .. .. 1,931 6 6 1907 .. .. .. 20,426 1 4 1895 .. .. ' 1,071 8 3 1908 .. .. .. 18,258 0 3 1896 .. .. .. 2,468 6 6 1897 .. .. 6,504 4 10 Total .. .. £177,206 111 1898 10,995 13 1 I

Country. Total Area. Wooded Area. P ? r lU . under Wood Total Area. Wooded Area. Per Cent, under Wood Acres. Acres. New Zealand .. .. .. .. .. 66,606,162 14,131,933* 21-2 * Included in this area are the forests on national parks, scenic reserves, and permanent reserves, as well as the forests shown in Appendix F.

State. Population. Area, in Acres. Estimated Wooded Area , in Aa ? a re " Area in Acres. or set apart for 1 orestry. New South .Wales Victoria Queensland . . South Australia West Australia Tasmania i * * 1,496,050 1,218,571 528,048 378,208 254,779 181.105 198,634,880 56,245,760 427,838,080 578,361,600 624,588,800 16,777,600 20,000,000 J 2,(100,000 40,000,000 4,000,000 20,000,000 11,000,000 7,749,57!) 5,525,000 3,606,709 190,657 212,480 95,000 4,056,761 4,056,761 1,902,446,720 1,902,446,720 107,000 000 17,379,425