Hamilton. — On the Forests of Neio Zealand. 153 



iudividual trees only are removed as they mature, is the sys- 

 tem universally in force, and experience teaches us that any 

 departure from it under such circumstances is very dangerous, 

 and should be invariably avoided if possible. This must strike 

 any one who has studied the subject ; and no conclusion is 

 more firmly impressed on my mind than that, whilst New- 

 Zealand has a splendid and most valuable property in her 

 forests as they exist now (1877), she must be very careful in 

 her management of them, and no longer proceed blindfold in 

 their disposal and removal, otherwise she will not only lose 

 them, without any adequate return or income to the public or 

 colonial purse, but, very much beside in the way of equable 

 climate, and ample but not excessive supply of water, which 

 years of labour and heavy expenditure will hardly replace.* 

 In endeavouring to arrive at any understanding of the manner 

 in which the forests, public and private, are dealt with in 

 New Zealand, reference must be made to this report ; and it 

 is evident from tbe valuable summary given at page 45 by 

 Mr. Thomas Kirk, F.L.S., that at that time there was no- 

 thing like a uniform system of controlling the use or the abuse 

 of the national forests. 



With regard to the future of our forests, there is one 

 danger which becomes year by year more imminent, for as 

 the settlement of the country progresses fires are started on 

 every hand, either to burn the felled bush or scrub or for 

 grass-burning. It is from uncontrolled fires that I apprehend 

 most danger to the forests and greatest destruction to the 

 scenery and natural features. In consequence of the fearful 

 forest fires which ravaged five of the American States on the 

 Canadian border last year, the National Government will 

 probably be moved to override with a comprehensive Act the 

 legislation of the various States, and make some general pro- 

 vision for taking precautions against such disasters; and any 

 Bill for this purpose that bears the stamp of expert scientifi.c 

 knowledge will no doubt receive the support of the senators. 

 This matter, and the prevention of " lumber-stealing," is 

 attracting much attention in America just now, the American 

 Association for the Advancement of Science and the Irriga- 

 tion Congress havmg indorsed a plan proposed by one of the 

 Harvard professors for the management of the forest reserves 

 already made and to be made. It contemplates the transfer 

 of all these reserves to the War Department, and their super- 

 vision or management by army officers, to be educated in 

 the principles of scientific forestry at West Point Military 

 Academy or elsewhere, the force of labourers to be employed 

 to consist of a forest guard, locally enlisted. A number of 



* Report of Captain Campbell Walker, C- 3, Pari. Rent., 1877. 



