BRITISH GUIANA. 335 



4. Akea and Ownership of Forests. 



The area under temporary cultivation is given at about 150 square 

 miles ; it is not included under forest. On the other hand, 

 Indian reservations, amounting to 1,360 square miles, form part 

 of the forest area, while scrub and inferior savannah are shown as 

 other land. 



Of the total forest area, 900 square miles have been alienated 

 to private persons ; the remaining 76,880 square miles belong to 

 the State. Licences, renewable annually and a few issued for 

 2 or 5 years, are granted by the Crown for wood cutting ; 402 of 

 these, aggregating 575 square miles, are in existence. 



5. Relationship of the State to the Forests. 



Legislation. — The Crown Lands Ordinance, No. 32 of 1903, 

 provides that the Local Government, on behalf of His Majesty, 

 may give absolute or provisional grants, leases, licences to occupy, 

 or take specified substances including timber. Power is given to 

 the Governor to revoke grants, licences, &c., for non-compliance 

 with the terms or of the Regulations made under the Ordinance. 

 The latter provides penalties for trespassers on Crown lands, 

 appropriation of produce, wilful obstruction of navigable streams, 

 &c. 



The Commissioner of Lands and Mines, with the approval of 

 the Governor, grants leases, licences, &c. Leases for tracts 

 exceeding 5,000 acres require the special approval of the Governor. 

 It is laid down that no tree shall be cut that will square less than 

 10 inches, except Wallaba or other hardwood trees of the like 

 nature. Trees producing rubber or balata may be cut only on a 

 written permission. Royalties have to be paid on the produce. 



