1 82 TlMEHRI. 
This year, the decline begun last year, seems to have 
continued, for the quantity registered as exported up to 
the end of May was only 12,270 lbs. It should be men- 
tioned that, as there is no export duty on balata, no 
check is exercised by the Custom House Officers on the 
figures, which are those recorded, given in by the expor- 
ters. The present quoted price of balata in the English 
market, as before mentioned, is 30 cents per lb. 
Nearly the whole of the forest land of this colony 
is Government property. It goes under the title of 
Crown Lands. Portions of it are let out under cer- 
tain stated conditions, fixed by ordinance, in blocks, 
which are generally from 300 to 500 acres in extent. 
The purposes for which Crown Lands are licensed 
are two, — for (1st) cultivation, and (2nd) cutting 
wood. Strong doubt may be entertained as to whether 
the grantee in felling trees simply for balata, or in 
permanently injuring, by tapping, standing ones is 
afting within the lines of the ordinance and of his 
license. However, hitherto balata collecting has been 
tacitly permitted on bullet-tree grants. Land licensed 
for cultivation is termed a grant of occupancy ; that 
for timber, and wood for whatever purpose, a wood- 
cutting grant. The former is let for a term of years 
varying from one to twenty-five, or " During Her 
Majesty's pleasure ;" the latter only for a term of 
years, from one to five. The grant is forfeited after a 
second conviction for any violation of the conditions 
of the license. Providing the Government see no ground 
for refusal, the license may be extended for two or three 
years, if application be made, and valid cause be shown 
to justify an extension, three months prior to its expiration. 
