CO129-568-6 Botanical and Forestry Department- proposed expansion and reorganisation 4-10-1938 - 14-7-1939 — Page 27

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devoted to new sections which can be developed strictly for

that purpose.

In other words, it will be necessary to create

Forest Reserves additional to those enumerated in the

Superintendent, Botanical and Forestry Department's

memorandum sent under cover of despatch No.744 of 4th

October, 1938, and to provide the money to plant them up,

maintain them and protect them. Such areas will of necessity

have to be well away from road communications or protection

will prove to be costly. It is thought that a programme of

this nature should be considered in order that definite

timber reserves may be built up. The economic side of such

a programme is a different matter, for every thing will be

against cheapness of working e.g. distance from transport

facilities, cost of protective and maintenance services, etc.

However, the need for additional afforestation is apparent

if only from the points of view of water conservation and of

agriculture.

In view of all this it is obvious that the Botanical and

Forestry Department must have a clear policy to pursue.

This it has and it may be summed up as follows:-

To maintain and protect present afforested areas.

To create new Forest Reserves.

To study silvicultural methods and endeavour to improve

local practices thereby, especially in respect to

"leased forest lots".

To obtain accurate data on local forestry matters

generally.

To experiment with exotic timber and economic tree

species.

To make available the results of its work generally, both

locally and in other Colonies.

To obtain economic returns on its work if it proves

possible to do so.

To carry out this policy it is apparent that it needs all