16 



(6) Timber investigations, including : 



(a) Technical properties, especially durability. (Note : - 

 Mechanical tests could best be carried out in Britain for the 

 present). 



(b) Seasoning experiments, including air seasoning, water 

 seasoning, girdling, and artificial seasoning. 



(c) Antiseptic treatment. 



(d) Utilization of timber. 



(7) Investigations connected with minor products, such as tans, 

 gums, resins, fibres, paper pulp, etc., in collaboration with the Chemical 

 Research Department. 



As the work develops it will be necessary to employ an additional 

 Research Officer, in which case investigations falling under (2), (3), (4) and 

 (5) could be conveniently separated from those falling under (6) and (7). The 

 detailed investigation of pests and diseases may yet become a matter of 

 urgency; in the meantime it will be sufficient, under the circumstances, to 

 keep records of the nature and extent of the damage done and to collect 

 specimens for identification. Local officers could assist materially in this 

 work. 



The results of research work should be published, and a useful forest 

 literature for the Colony would thus be gradually compiled. Among 

 publications which are most urgently required are (1) a pamphlet, for the use 

 of settlers and others, giving notes regarding the characteristics of the more 

 important indigenous and exotic trees suitable for planting under different 

 conditions, with directions how to raise them and grow them in plantations 

 and otherwise, (2) a pamphlet giving such information as is known regarding 

 the characteristics and uses of the various timbers of the Colony. 



10. SURVEYS AND WORKING PLANS. 



15. NECESSITY FOR WORKING PLANS. In no branch of work is the Forest 

 Department of the Colony so backward as in the preparation of forest working 

 plans, of which none exist at present. Without working plans systematic 

 work is impossible, and no accurate estimate can be made of the contents of 

 the forests or the outturn which they are capable of providing year by year ; 

 nor is there any assurance that future supplies will be maintained by means 

 of a regular programme of regeneration. There is little doubt that under 

 existing conditions some of the forests have been and are being overworked and 

 depleted, and that such forests may have to be closed to working for an indefinite 

 period. This is unsound in principle, for a forest, if its productive capacity 

 is to be taken full advantage of, should be worked continuously in such a way 

 as to furnish the maximum sustained yield compatible with the improvement 

 of the growing stock and the maintenance of future supplies by means of 

 regenerative operations. The preparation of working plans, apart from 

 securing the future of the forests, will have the effect of stabilizing the out- 

 turn, with the result that licensees will have some assurance as to the probable 

 annual outturn they are likely to obtain and the areas from which the out- 

 turn will be available each year or period of years : this will enable them to 

 make suitable plans in advance for the erection of sawmills and the conduct 

 of lumbering work, instead of working in the dark without any clear idea 

 of the duration and location of future supplies. It is therefore of the 

 greatest importance that working plans operations should be commenced as 



