1918.] The N.Z. Journal of Science and Technology. 203* 
a valuable report setting forth the position of the forestry question, and 
urging greatly increased action. In the same year a Royal Commission 
on the Timber and Timber-building Industries published a detailed report 
on this subject. These reports proved the necessity of increased action, 
and in 1913 a Royal Commission on Forestry was appointed to inquire 
into the whole question. Their report was submitted to the Government 
on the 3rd May, 1913. It sets forth a summary of the facts, and makes 
proposals which, it is understood, will guide the Government action in the 
future. 
Before dealing with the Commissioners’ report it is as well to state 
shortly the principal provisions of the State Forests Act of 1908. It pro¬ 
vides, amongst other matters, powers for— 
The appointment of one of the responsible Ministers to he Commissioner of 
State Forests : 
The setting-apart of any Crown forest lands as State forests: 
The provision of the necessary funds : 
The granting of licenses to cut timber in any State forest : 
The appointment of forest officers : 
The promulgation of regulations dealing with the duties of Conservators of 
Forests ; the prevention of cutting and destruction of timber ; the manner 
of obtaining licenses ; the planting of trees; the prevention of fires [in 
State forests; prohibition of trespassing ; the construction, maintenance, 
and use of roads and other means of transport; and generally the carrying 
into execution of the objects of the Act: 
The imposition of fines not exceeding £50 for any offence under the Act: 
The delegation of authority by the Governor to the Commissioner and by 
him to the Conservators: 
The establishment of schools of forestry and agriculture : 
The exclusion of open lands from State forests, provided Parliament does not 
raise any objections. 
The task of the Commission of 1913 was essentially to inquire into the 
condition of the existing natural forests and to make proposals for 
afforestation, with special reference to— 
(1.) The retention of forests for their indirect utility, such as soil-protection, 
prevention of denudation and floods, effect on scenery, climate, &c. : 
(2.) Allotment of forest areas for other purposes : 
(3.) The method of dealing with the indigenous forests : 
(4.) The probable demand for timber in the future ; the nature and hinds of 
timber likely to be required : 
(5.) The extension of State nurseries and plantations to meet the future demand 
for timber: 
(6.) Suggestions regarding alterations of the past management : 
(7.) Encouragement of tree-planting by private individuals and local bodies. 
(1 ) 
( 2 .) 
(3.) 
(4.) 
(5.) 
( 6 .) 
(7.) 
( 8 .) 
(9.) 
( 10 .) 
The Roylal Commission’s Report. 
The Indigenous Forests. 
The Commissioners propose— 
1. The Establishment of Climatic Reserves for the purposes indicated above,, 
wherever they are required, more especially for the protection of the sources of the 
principal rivers of the Canterbury District, which rise in the Southern Alps; also 
the upper portions of the whole of North Island’s dividing-range. 
2. Scenic Reserves are proposed for the protection of historic places, also in the 
vicinity of hot springs, for preserving examples of the vegetation, birds, and other 
animals, for picnics and recreation. The preservation of the Warawara and 200 acres 
of the Waipoua kauri forests are specially recommended, as these remnants of the 
once splendid forests are on the point of disappearing. 
