AREA OF FORESTS. 



235 



prevented by rabbits and sheep. The present yield is 

 insignificant. 



(3) The Brush Forest is restricted to the warm climate of the 

 coast, where it finds an abundant rainfall and fertile soil. It 

 contains a miscellaneous collection of species, of which some are 

 valuable, such as Cedrela australis, Gmelina Leichardtii, Araucaria 

 Cunninghamii, Flindersia australis and Grevillea robusta. Some 

 of the existing species are used in the place of imported softwoods. 

 The brush forest provides a good canopy and enriches the soil 

 by humus. 



3. Area of Forests. 



Only the area of merchantable forests has been estimated ; 

 neither that of the other forests nor that of the agricultural land 

 is given. The data are therefore reduced to the following : — 



Merchantable forests 

 Other land 



Total 



Square Miles. 



17,187 

 292,268 



309,455 



Per cent, of 

 Total Area. 



5-55 

 94-45 



100-00 



4. Ownership of Forests. 



State timber forests 

 Other State forests 



Total State forests 

 Private forests 



Total 



Square Miles. 



7,881 

 4,619 



12,500 



4,687 



17,187 



Per cent, of 

 Total Area 

 of Forest. 



45-9 

 26-9 



72-8 

 27-2 



100-0 



5. Relation of the State to the Forests. 



Legislation. — The Forestry Act, No. 55 of 1916, is the latest 

 enactment on the subject. It provides for : — 



(1) The dedication, reservation, control and use of State 



forests, timber reserves, and Crown lands for forestry. 



(2) The appointment of a Commission to administer the Act, 



