302 



Quite considerable areas of the reserves are leased to private 

 persons temporarily for timber-cutting and grazing. 



Timber-planting has not hitherto been a feature of the work 

 in this State, about 500 acres being more or less planted with 

 Red Cedar. 



The total revenue for timber for the year 1908 amounted to 

 £27,969. Trees are not distributed to the public free. It is im- 

 possible to say to what extent the supply of growing timber is 

 decreasing in the State annually, but there can be no doubt that 

 like in all other Australian States the quantity growing is dim- 

 inishing. 



In addition to the timber reserves above referred to, there 

 are 808,497 acres of "State Forests" in Queensland. These lands 

 are unalienable except under the authority of an Act of Parlia- 

 ment, and are proclaimed under "The State Forests and National 

 Parks Act of 1906." They are distributed over seventeen dis- 

 tricts, the two largest being at Dalby (308,900 acres) and Mary- 

 borough (240,000 acres). In the former the chief trees are Iron- 

 bark, Spotted Gum and Cypress Pine, and in the latter Turpen- 

 tine Blackbutt, Red Stringybark, and Tallow wood ; the soil in both 

 districts being mostly sandy to loamy. 



South Australia. 



The total area of forest reserves was, on June 30, 

 1909, 157,066 acres, of which 14,710 acres were enclosed 

 for planting operations. The reserves are under the control of 

 the State. Only such lands as are unsuited for forest purposes 

 are now alienable, the rest are scheduled and are inalienable, save 

 by vote of both Houses of Parliament. 



The reserves are not leased to private individuals, but timber- 

 cutting is permitted under various regulations. The total number 

 of trees planted during the year was 116,088, and the year's 

 revenue was £3,416. The only exotics planted in the reserves 

 are pines, which are grown with very satisfactory results. Trees 

 to the number of 277,616 were distributed during the year to 1,680 

 applicants. The supply of growing timber is diminishing. The 

 dedication of further land for forest reserves is contemplated on 

 the expiration of some existing Miscellaneous Leases. 



Western Australia. 



The total area of forest reserves is officially given to me as 

 10,366,737 acres, although in the latest Official Year Book of the 

 Commonwealth it is shown as 20,400,000 acres, which are also the 

 figures for the "Total Forest Area" of the State, and a footnote 

 remarks that the "Total Forest Area is reserved." 



The area enclosed for planting operations consists of 640 acres 

 at Ludlow and 200 at Hamel. All reserves are held by the Govern- 

 ment, and timber-cutting is allowed under restricted conditions. 

 There were 68,000 trees planted during 1909, and the total revenue 

 for the year, ended June 30, 1909, was £29,484. 



Tasmania. 

 There are thirty-five forest reserves, totalling 283,954 

 acres; 166,954 acres contain mature timber and 117,000 

 are reserved for the growth of young timber. A commencement 

 has only recently been made to enclose areas for planting opera- 

 tions; The reserves are under the control of the State, and the 

 land is available for selection after the timber has been removed. 



