226 FORESTRY IN AUSTRALIA. 



The exploitation of timber in Australia is said to be inefficient 

 and costly, chiefly because there are no roads. The Government, 

 it is said, neither constructs them nor does it assist timber 

 workers in making them. If rational forestry is ultimately to be 

 successful the forests must be opened out by means of communi- 

 cation, and especially by roads, which should be so constructed 

 that rails can be laid on them later on if required. 



The establishment of amenity forests for the benefit of the 

 people, and especially for the inhabitants of the towns should not 

 be overlooked. The matter will, no doubt, become increasingly 

 important as the population increases. It has even been 

 recommended to plant trees in the broad streets of the big towns, 

 Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and others, so as to afford under 

 their shade the comfort and enjoyment of outdoor hfe, which are 

 obtainable in Southern Europe under a similar climate. With 

 the object of stimulating this class of operations, it is suggested 

 that Government nurseries should provide the necessary trees for 

 distribution at cost price. Arboriculture is a friend of the 

 people, and in South Africa it has done more than anything else 

 to assist national forestry. 



7. Income and Expenditure. 



Although the royalties on timber have been very low, the 

 revenue derived from the forests has met all expenses connected 

 with them and yielded a substantial surplus. According to the 

 returns contained in the Official Year Book for 1918, the average 

 annual receipts and expenses during the last five years were as 

 follows : — 



Average . . 255,578 .. 164,678 .. 90,900 

 Average of previous 

 five years . . 252,233 . . 132,749 . . 119,484 



