22 Transactions.— Miscellaneous. 
The monthly Gazette of the institution affords publicity to the experiments, 
and these reports have a considerable importance (scientifie and commercial) 
as having the sanction of unquestionable authority. Here the intervention 
of the Government of the colony may be required; for we do not know 
how far the request of private individuals, for such a purpose, might be 
liable to objection. But, if presented by the Government, the request, 
bearing a character of general interest, would be granted at once. The 
experiments at the ** Conservatoire " having thus been promoted through 
Government action, all surrounding details should be carefully attended to 
by the Government agent, or, as it may be, by the representative of any 
intended colonial company, who would have the official reports of the 
experiments inserted in the leading journals, as well as in the press specially 
devoted to the timber trade, taking such an opportunity for making special 
mention of our ornamental woods. Then the time would come for obtain- 
ing large orders from Governments, railway companies, etc., likewise for 
taking orders from well-known houses for our ornamental and furniture 
woods, and the effect of the experiments would reflect favourably on all 
classes of New Zealand timbers, 
Some difficulties, however, more apparent than real, may also be 
encountered here. There is an insuperable connection between the forest 
question itself and the timber exports. Thus, by introducing a systematic 
management of the public forests, the Government would show a due 
appreciation of the value of that portion of the natural riches of the colony, 
thereby stimulating private enterprise as regards the exportation of our 
timbers to Europe, also helping in the matter so far as Government action 
may go. 
Considered solely from a financial point of view, the forest question in 
New Zealand will show to any competent person giving attention to it, that 
within a period of, say ten or fifteen years hence, a permanent State revenue, 
to the amount of from £8,000,000 to £4,000,000, should be derivable from 
the State forests, and that meanwhile capital, to about the same amount, 
would come yearly from abroad, as money derived from the timber exports, 
The magnitude of the interests involved in the forest question in this 
colony comprehends many important points which will have to be elucidated 
by official investigation in order to enlist public confidence, which will lead 
to practical results. So far as the conservation of the forests is concerned, 
the subject has already been treated in the New Zealand Parliament with a 
remarkable display of talent and patriotism. | 
In 1868, the Parliamentary debates assumed a character of the highest 
interest. The motion of Mr. Potts, relative to the conservation of the 
forests of the colony, received its full development on the part of the pro- 
