98 PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS SECTION C. 



species mainly used. The kloofs will be planted with Oak and 

 Poplars. 



Tollberg and Groenkop are within ten miles of the George- 

 Mossel Bay Railway. Buffels Nek is five miles from the term- 

 inus of the South- Western Railway leading^ to the port of Knysna, 

 from which it will be possible to distribute wood to Durban. 

 East London, Port Elizabeth and Capetown, should the railway 

 at George not be extended to Knysna in 50 years' time, which 

 however, is unthinkable. Farleigh lies about 12 miles by road 

 from Knysna, but the extension of the railway to Knysna would 

 reduce road transport by about two-thirds. Witte Els Bosch 

 is at present 18 miles >from the railway at Assegai Bosch, from 

 which extension can in due course be expected. The afforesta- 

 tion contemplated there, if persevered with, would of itself 

 largely justify construction. 



The Hankey area is served by the narrow gauge railway 

 running from Port Elizabeth to Loerie River. Isidenge is about 

 14 miles from the main Eastern line, but the road communica- 

 tions are good, and bearing in mind the prospect of the develop- 

 ment of mechanical transport, it is not thought the distance is 

 excessive. 



From Revenue funds two other large schemes have been 

 inaugurated during the last two years, both in connection with 

 the employment of poor whites. One is at French Hoek, in the 

 valley of the Berg River, and the other at Jonkersberg, on the 

 southern slopes of the Outeniquas. The latter adjoins on its 

 eastern boundary Tollberg and Geelhoutboomberg, so that when 

 the two schemes are complete there will be a continuous stretch 

 of artificial forest on the southern slopes of the Outeniquas, from 

 Brak River in the west, to Montague Pass in the east, a di.stance 

 of at least 20 miles. The scheme of afiforestation here and at 

 F'rench Hoek will be on the same lines as those already men- 

 tioned, the same species of trees being employed. The area of 

 plantable ground at French Hoek has not yet been accurately 

 determined, but is likely to amount to 5,000 acres. 



When in addition to the work now being done all these 

 schemes are fairly launched, it should be possible to advance 

 at the rate of 8,000-10,000 acres per annum as long as funds 

 are forthcoming. 



In the course of this address I have endeavoured to place 

 before you the salient features of the position in regard to 

 timber supplies and forestry in the Union. The position is one 

 that calls for earnest consideration by all who take an interest 

 in the welfare of this country. While the forest reserves in 

 the Union amount to a respectable total, the actual area of 

 forest capable of producing timber suitable for general use is 

 very restricted, and the best possible annual output that can be 

 looked for is almost negligble in comparison with the country's 

 needs. Unless, therefore afforestation is seriously tackled, this 

 country, like Great Britain, will always have to depend on the 

 favour of other countries for its timber supplies. Apart from 



