206 



\ copy of a regulation suggested for the planting, protect- 

 ing, and cutting of sandalwood by the Fijians is annexed. 



As this report ma}- bo thought incomplete without stating 

 the probable results of extensively planting the sandalwood 

 by Fijians or Government, the}* are here given as follows: — 



If 20 men, the inhabitants of one town, Koro, were to 

 plant 20 trees each per annum for GO years (the shortest esti- 

 mated time for sandalwood to reach maturity), that would be 

 20 x 20 = 400 trees planted annually, and 400 x 60 = 

 24,000 trees at the end of 60 years ; and 24,000 -=- 600 (the 

 number of trees per acre) = 40 acres planted. After the 

 60th year, 20 trees per man may be felled and sold, and 20 

 per man planted to replace them. The value of these 20 

 trees would, at the present value of 101. per ton, be 10/. per 

 annum to the heirs or successors of the man who planted 

 them, allowing each tree an average weight of 1 cwt. 



In the instance of the Government planting say 100 acres 

 per annum for 60 years, the result would be 100 x 60 = 

 6,000 acres planted. In 60 years the trees on the 100 acres 

 that were first planted will have attained maturity. They 

 should therefore be felled and brought to market, and 100 

 acres planted to keep up the stock. 



On the 100 acres there will be 60,000 trees at the before 

 given number of 600 trees per acre. These 60,000 trees will 

 weigh on an average 1 cwt. each, and 60,000 -=- 20 = 3,000 

 tons, which at 51. per ton will be 15,000?. clear profit per 

 annum, after allowing one half the value (51. per ton) for 

 the expenses of planting, preserving, &c. 



The amount yielded annually by the caoutchouc would of 

 course be in addition to this. Abour 71. per ton would be 

 received for the timber standing on the ground, from a pur- 

 chaser, who would fell and remove the timber at his own 

 risk and expense. This would allow SI. per ton for risk, 

 expense of felling, removing, and profit to the purchaser. Two 

 pounds (21.) of the seven are allowed for the expense incurred 

 by the Government in planting, protecting, kc, leaving ."/. 

 per ton net profit. 



As the Fijians would perform the necessary labour them- 

 selves, they would receive the full value, 10/. per ton, for their 

 andalwood. 



It may be desirable for them to plant caoutchouc tre< 9 

 among the sandalwood as above recommended for a Govern- 

 ment plantation. If so, they may be directed to put down 

 the trees as in the example given. Otherwise they may be 



