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tlie steed Is stolen. Most people agree that trees preserve 

 water after it lias fallen. The humus which accumulates in 

 tha Forests acts like a sponge, from which a regular supply 

 issues. The upholders of the opinion that trees bring rain 

 seem, often, to forget that rain or moisture bring trees. To 

 carry out a proper preservation of the water and timber sup- 

 ply I would suggest appointing a person who has some know- 

 ledge of tree culture and forest work, to be guardian of woods 

 and forests, &c. His duties would be to see to the proper pre 

 servation of trees on the Reserves, both public and private 

 to mark trees that can be spared, and to plant by seed sow 

 ing, or by young plants, lands that may be deemed necessar- 

 to be planted ; such an appointment should be directly under 

 the Chief Civil Commissioner. The Police might undertake 

 the prosecution of trespasses on the Reserves, or efficient men 

 from the Police might be put under the guardian's orders. The 

 guardian would have to be assisted by laborer?, in such num- 

 bers as may be required to carry out the works. He should 

 also prepare annually estimates of Expenditure for all his 

 intended works for the ensuing year, as well as of all probable 

 receipts. 



" The value of the timber supplied to the works and build- 

 ings Department should be placed to the credit of the woods 

 and forests. What timber, thatch, &c., in the G-overnment 

 forest, which wei'e :iot required for Government use, should 

 be sold. N"othing should be allowed to rot and waste, and 

 by such a manner the woods, &c., would soon be self suppor- 

 ting and a benefit to these Islands. 



" Among native trees desirable to preserve I would mention 

 Capucin, Bois Rouge, Bois de Montagues, for the highest 

 third of the Reserves, For the first, or lowest third of the 



