C—l 2.

1. An area in Central Otago contiguous to the railway-line and in the neighbourhood of Ophir, Alexandra, or Clyde. We can give no indication of the exact locality, This would have to be chosen with the greatest care, and certainly some experimental planting on a small scale be first of all undertaken. Central Otago is, according to evidence of Dr. Valintine, admirably suited for convalescent consumptives. These benefit much by light employment, such as tree-planting. But any such labour should only be paid for on the basis of the value done, since the afforestation operations cannot be burdened with the cost of charitable aid. If it be considered advisable to assist these patients further it should be done by means of a distinct fund. 2. One or more areas on the Mackenzie Plains. Afforestation here is almost as urgently demanded as in Central Otago, but the conditions for the growth of trees is more favourable. Here again the area to be planted will require the greatest care in selecting. 3. Ancient river-beds of Canterbury beyond the reach of the highest floods. The military reserve on the south bank of the Waimakariri at once suggests itself. Also, if the price be not more than £1 10s. per acre, some of the manuka-covered land between the Rivers Eyre and Waimakariri. 4. The manuka-covered land in the neighbourhood of Hawarden, Culverden Plain. This seems to us the most suitable, and it should be secured if the price is low enough. Already self-sown plants of Pinus radiata are growing amongst the scrub. 5. The slopes of Mount Isabel, Hanmer, near the present plantation. If this area be reserved it will be necessary to take in the summit of the mountain, otherwise it would be only taking the better land from the present run and leaving the worst. 6. Run No. 24, near mouth of Rangitikei, 6,360 acres in area, on the dunes of western Wellington, occupied by Mr. J. McKelvie. There are in New Zealand more than 300,000 acres of sand-dunes. A full account of them and their capabilities for tree-planting is given in a report by the Lands Department on the dune-areas of New Zealand. We thoroughly indorse the opinion of the author that the only effectual way to cope with dunes is by planting trees. We also believe that such planting may be a financial success, but, as the author of the above report points out, experiment is required first of all. If the vast dune-areas of the Dominion can be redeemed, and a part turned into profitable forest, the work would pay for its cost several times over, in that the dunes would be no longer a menace to the neighbouring farm lands. 7. An extension of the present areas on the volcanic plateau. A large area should be set aside not only to the north but also to the south of Lake Taupo. The ease in working the pumice lands, and the excellent manner in which trees of many kinds grow, mark out these lands as the most suitable of any in the Dominion for afforestation. 8. Several areas in the gum-lands of the Auckland Isthmus. Probably the neighbourhood of the Bay of Islands or Whangaroa would be very suitable. If the gum-lands can be cheaply afforested with the most valuable though less hardy Australian gums, land now comparatively worthless will be made most productive. But here also experiment is needed in the first place. With regard to setting aside areas for future plantation we consider— (1.) That such areas should be styled " plantation reserves." (2.) That all such reserves should be made inalienable by Act of Parliament, but that prior to their being required for planting purposes they should be leased as grazinglands. 5. AS TO WHETHER THE PRESENT OPERATIONS OF THE STATE ARE BEING CONDUCTED on Satisfactory and Progressive Lines, and, if not, to what Extent and in what Manner the Present Management and Control should be altered. In order to approach the above question, a brief history must be given of the afforestation operations of the State. The Forestry Branch of the Department of Lands and Survey was established in 1896. A few experiments had

XXXII