Hamilton. — On the Forests of Neio Zealand. 149 



by the Maoris for carvings and work requiring well-seasoned 

 wood. 



During the Maori occupation of New Zealand the natives 

 found in the bush a large quantity of their food- supply, and 

 possessed an accurate knowledge of the trees and shrubs 

 growing in it. 



Having thus very briefly noticed what may be called " the 

 past " of the New Zealand bush, let us take a glance at the 

 present position, and what may be the future of it. At the 

 present time the supply of first-class timber easily accessible 

 is by no means large, and, in view of the recent develop- 

 ments in the timber trade, in paving-blocks, and the official 

 attempts to encourage the export trade, it is of special im- 

 portance that some attention should be given to the subject 

 of utilising the forests to the best advantage. The forestry 

 question is one whieh has sprung into existence as a science 

 within the last half-century, and has been made the subject 

 of careful study by some of the Continental nations. In 

 India the Government have carried out in a most successful 

 manner the practical management of their extensive forests 

 and plantations, and recently the subject has been forced 

 upon the attention of the United States, and is receiving 

 due attention. 



The Governments of New Zealand have already done a 

 little in the way of obtaining reports on the character and 

 areas of their forests, and have very wisely reserved certain 

 areas of bush as climatic reserves, and a department was 

 organized for the conservation of forests, which after a short 

 existence was abolished. The objects aimed at were excel- 

 lent, and it will yet be found necessary to carry them out, 

 but possibly on different lines. 



According to official returns, •■' there yet remains of the 

 heritage which the colonists have acquired, in the Auckland 

 District, 5,220,000 acres. These forests are described as being 

 full of valuable woods, including all that remains of the kauri, 

 the pride of the New Zealand forests ; and I am glad to notice 

 that the report says all the bush is useful for building, fencing, 

 or household purposes ; and that upon the Crown lands there 

 is still kauri standing valued at one million and a quarter. 

 The report also remarks that the only really good Crown lands 

 fit for settlement in the north are still covered with forest, 

 and must be cleai'ed and sown before any return can follow. 

 I do not know these lands, but on general principles I hope 

 that they may be preserved as forests, and land for hond fide 

 settlement found elsewhere. 



In Taranaki, the gross area of the district is 2,430,000 



* New Zealand Year-book, 1894. 



