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FOKESTRY IN NEW ZEALAND. 



A considerable development of industries has taken place ; they 

 are classified under 26 heads. Of these the forester is specially 

 interested in the establishment of timber and paper mills, and the 

 kauri gum industry, the produce of former extensive forests of 

 kauri, Agatliis (Dammara) australis ; the gum is dug out of the 

 ground, and its annual value is about half a million pounds 

 sterling. On the whole, however, pastoral and agricultural 

 pursuits overshadow all other industries, the number of sheep 

 alone being about 24 millions. There are considerable mineral 

 deposits, but, with the exception of gold during a short period, 

 the cost of labour is against the development of the mining 

 industry. Coal is found throughout New Zealand, and also oil in 

 some quantity. 



The available water power is unrivalled, and will, no doubt, be 

 developed as time goes on. Of railways, 2,800 miles exist at 

 present, and new lines are under consideration. Roads have been 

 greatly developed all over the islands, as well as telegraphs and 

 telephones. 



section ii.— the forests of new zealand. 



1. Area and Ownership of the Forests. 



In the early days of the Colony, the greater part of North 

 Island was covered with dense forest, and also the western part 

 of South Island, while the greater part of the latter was open 

 country. Stewart Island is practically all forest, even now. 

 Fires and extensive saw milling have much reduced the area under 

 forest. In 1886 it was 33,120 square miles ; in 1909 it was 

 26,678, a reduction of 23 per cent, in 23 years ! The allotment 

 of areas is as follows : — 



