50 
Smaller ta higher up and lower down the Murray, and also on theGoulburn River. These 
in my opinion ought without ilehiy to be permanently reserved its State Forests. When the Forest Branch 
was attached to the Mining Department I endeavoured, but ineffectually, to get this done. 
Below Swan Hill there were at one time extensive forests of Red Gum along the river, and especially 
in the large bends liable to floods. These forests were, however, ringbarked and killed by pastoral 
occupants, contrary to the strenuous protests of the Conservator of Forests. 
When I descended the Murray nearly three years ago from Swan Hill to Mildura I observed, -with 
great regret, not only this destruction of most valuable timber along the Victorian banks of the river, but 
also the occupants in places were then engaged in destroying the young trees which would in time replace 
the former forest. 
It will be seen from my correspondence with the Department of Lands that I endeavoured not only 
to have the Red Gum areas converted into State Forests, in order that the timber might be protected, but 
also that the destruction of young trees by grazing occupiers should be put a stop to. My efforts in this 
direction were also unavailing. 
In contrast to the lamentable destruction of valuable forests on the Victorian bank, I observed 
that on the New South Wales bank of the Murray the forests from above Echuca at least, all the way down 
had been carefully preserved. 
The results of our wasteful system, and of the wise system of the New South Wales Government, 
as regards the Red Gum forests, will be shown by the following facts. At the time, 1892-93, under the 
regulations under the Land Act, 1890, the Murray River Saw Mill Company at Echuca had obtained 
1,600 logs of Red Gum from a special area of 1,000 acres in the Yieliana Forest for the sum of 31, while 
the same number of logs on the New South Wales side of the river would have brought in a royalty of 700. 
The Company had, during the year, paid to the New South Wales Government, the sum of 1,565 8s. for 
royalty, and 47 for license fees, in respect of Red Gum timber. 
These facts go to show the manner in which our Red Gum forests have been cut out at a nominal 
charge, and also the large revenue which ought to have been obtained from them if managed in an 
intelligent manner in the interests of the whole community. 
At the present time the Red Gum forests are barely, if at all, able to supply our own wants, much 
less to yield any surplus for export. 
The only other Red Gum area in the control of the Government is in the Victoria Valley. It 
is not of any great area, nor are the trees numerous, compared with acreage, but what there were were of 
excellent quality. The Tucker Village Settlement at Vonwondah was permitted to operate on this forest 
on a royalty charge. I understand now that the best of the timber has been cut out and sold, but that no 
royalty has been paid for it. 
In the remainder of the Western District the best Red Gum which I have seen is on private lands 
in the Upper Glenelg and Wandoo Rivers. 
It will be seen from the preceding statements that for the present the Red Gum forests, at any rate 
under State control, are practically cut out, and that any other source of supply must be looked for on 
private lands, and scattered timber on Crown lands. Most of the former has, however, been ringbarked, 
and in therefore to some extent deteriorated, as well as hard to work. 
In my opinion the proper course to take in regard to Red Gum areas will be (1) To make State 
Forests of all remaining patches of Rod Gum forests, which are still Crown lands, especially in the Murray 
and Goulliurn Rivera, and in (iippsland. (2) To complete the trimming out of the young forests in the 
,000 acres of young forest in the Barmah, Yieliana and Gunbower Forests, which were not thinned in 
1892. (3) To carefully protect all Red Gum areas, (i) To make the royalt y syst em of payment apply to 
all Hcd Cum. and i-lso at the same time, if possible, to all timber in State Forests of whatever kind. The 
scale of royalty should be adjusted to the value of the timber for commercial purposes, and to the locality 
whence obtained, and the difficulties of transport . 
