212 



(continued.) 



24. 



Do the Trees bear 

 Seed Ereely, and if 



so, in what Month 

 do they ripen? 



How many Years 

 does the Sandal- 

 wood take to 

 arrive at Mature 

 Stage of Growth ? 



Remakks. 



These may elucidate Answers and refer to 

 Matters not mentioned in the Columns. 



Yes, they ripen in 

 December. 



About 60 or 7o 

 years, but a great 

 deal depends on 

 the nature of the 

 soil and climate 

 of the locality. 



The site, vide Col. 11, is very mountainous, and 

 the Fijians grumble very much at having to 

 cut sandalwood and carry it to the coast. 

 Planting, Col. 20, would seem to take the fancy 

 of the people, especially as they will not have 

 to make taxes during the years in which plant- 

 ing will be carried on. A watchman has been 

 n entioned in Col. 11, if the Government would 

 remit a small amount of the taxes the people of 

 Koro Na Wasa Kuba would gladly undertake 

 it. and be held responsible for the welfare of 

 the plants. Planting has been recommended as the best; the cost 

 would be about SZ. for 2,000 plants. As a large area might be planted 

 tin- annual expense of protection would be nominal, say about 3s. 

 per acre per annum. 

 The sandalwood trees are very irregular over the ground, the one half 

 of which they do not occupy. There are also 20 dead sandalwood 

 trees in the forest. These might be utilized. If left much longer 

 where they are the wood will be useless. It will cost l/. per ton 

 to carry it to the coast. 



Note 'I I i information required must be tor each separate place or forest in which 



tandalwood occurs. Each place must bear a distinct name or number by which it is or may 



Iter be known. The officer who supplies the information must not fill up the columns 



from memory or hearsay; aa correct information is required. He will see and count the 



Jtc, himself. Jf any information be quoted the authority for it should te given. 



Signature of officer who wrote this statement. 



Signature of officer who counted the trees, &c. 



