22 Transactions. — Miscellaneous. 



The monthly Gazette of the institution affords pubhcity to the experiments, 

 and these reports have a considerable importance (scientific 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., hkewise 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 £3,000,000 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 Parhamentary 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^ 



