Lrcoy.—The Forest Question in New Zealand, 5 
I.—Sraristics. 
The following total quantities relating to the area and value of the Crown 
lands have been compiled from the Survey Department returns, dated 
17th of October, 1877, entitled ** Statement showing the area and approxi- 
mate value of the * unsold land in each County in New Zealand, on 81st of 
August, 1877 " :— ; 
AREA AND APPROXIMATE VALUE OF THE COLONIAL Estate on 8lsT AvcvsT, 1877. 
Situation. Forest Land. | Open Land. | Total Area. ae Ses 
E Acres. 3 £ 
In the North Island .. 3,801,612 776,706 4,578,318 2,784,148 
» south Island .. 8,717,220 17,295,284 21,012,504 13,236,852 
» Stewart Island 393,000 22,000 415,000 58,125 
Mountainous or valueless 
(South Island) .... } 2,886,020 
Torars .. ws 7,911,832 18,093,990 29,341,848 | £16,079,125 
The official statement does not give the area of the open land in the 
counties of Wairoa, Hawke Bay, Wanganui, East Taupo, Rangitikei, 
Manawatu, Waipawa, Hutt, Wairarapa East and West, Raglan, and West 
Taupo (North Island), 
Forest lands inserted in the columns agricultural and pastoral, have 
been included in the column forest land in the above table, 
II.— Premises. 
A careful observation of the distinct interests which the colonial estate 
comprehends, points out of itself, as specially relating to the improvement 
of the resources derivable therefrom, the advisability of a separate manage- 
ment applying to the open lands and to the forest lands respectively, each 
kind of property, whether it be intended for sale or conservation, requiring 
special treatment under the supervision of officials of special aptitude in 
their respective departments. On the one hand, agronomists are required 
for the purpose of rendering the soil and climate of vast and treeless 
regions better adapted to settlement; whilst, on the other hand, foresters 
are needed to supervise the conservation of State forests, creating thereby 
& permanent State revenue. 
The adoption of a new system for the general administration of the 
publie estate may partly depend on some preceding legislative action, Still, 
so far as the forest interest is concerned, it does not appear that there 
should be immediate need for any changes in the existing forest legislation, 
otherwise than by appropriating the necessary fund to the creation of the 
special department. | 
——M 
* App. to Journ. H. of R., 1577, C—9, 
