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UNIVERSITY OF B.C. LIBRARY

3 9424 05124 571 7

RESTRY CONFERENCE.

STATEMENT

ON

FORESTRY IN THE STATE OF
NEW SOUTH WALES.

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA.

Prepared by the Forestry Commission, X.S.W.

U.B.C. LIBRARY

SYDNEY: WILLIAM APPLEGATE GULJ [CK LENT PRINTER.

19;:

IMPERIAL FORESTRY CI INFERENCE.

STATEMENT

ox

FORESTRY IN THE STATE OF
NEW SOUTH WALES.

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA.

Prepared by the Forestry Commission, N.S.W.

s&-

SYDNEY: WILLIAM APPLEGATE GULLICK, GOVERNMENT PRINTER,
•91S11-A 1220.

Digitized by the Internet Archive

in 2010 with funding from

University of British Columbia Library

http://www.archive.org/details/statementonforesOObrit

Imperial Forestry Conference*

STATEMENT PREPARED AT THE REQUEST OF THE IMPERIAL GOVERN-
MENT, SETTING OUT THE PRESENT POSITION OF FORESTRY
IN THE STATE OF NEW SOUTH WALES, COMMONWEALTH OF
AUSTRALIA.

(1) General Description of Country.

The State of New South Wales has a frontage to the South Pacifii Ocean, and compri es a territorial

area of 198,051,200 acres (excluding the area se t as Federal territory) within the parallels of latitude

28 degreea to 38 deg eea south of the Equator, and longtitude 1">1 degrees tol40degi ich.

The population of the Stati ' b figures (1920) is 2,000,000 pei

The general topography of the country is characterised by a main dividing range of mountain; .
running north and south, and roughly parallel to the coast line, which forms the dividing w: Aeon

the eastern and western waters. This divide forms the centre ": the Highland Zone (see Timber Zone map),
and attain, altitudi s nging from an average of about 2,000 feet above sea level in the north to an avi i
nf about 3,000 feet in the south, the highest point being Mount Kosciusko (7,305 feel i in th
The eastern slopes include minor ranges, intercept ed by river valleys which extend sharply to the sea b
and the western slopes decline gently to plain country, which is the main characteristic of the Interior and
Western Zones.

The geological formation and oils vary greatly in this large extent of territory.

GEOLOGY.
Reference to a physiographical map shows that New South Wales may be divided up into the following

units : —

New South Wales.

(1) Coa9tal Region.

(«)
Monaro
Tableland.

( Tablelands of the Main Divide

(3) Western rlains

( 'entral Tableland of Gonlbv

The <_'..bar
Peneplain.

Tiic Barrior Range and
Mt. Brovi ii Peni plain.

if Artesian Water
liasin with mound springs,
and chiefly inarini
clays overlaying I

9 in''-

Sediments of Iheold
Rivcrina.

Red Soil

an.! Black

Soil

Coastal Regio'i Th istal region is narrow I em end. and first acquires a considerable

width when the southern end of the greal ceii eached. Further north. • dney,

it sweeps inland for a distance of from 30 to 35 miles to the Eastern Escarpment of tin' Blue Mountains.
The soft coal measure rucks of the Hunter Valley give tin tin its greate on inland of

about 60 miles, and to the north ii b irtion a the ha olderthan

i he coal measures, approach the coast.

One of the principal features of the coastal region is that i1 contains two coal-b ■ ~. the

chief of which extends from the neigh 1 itland, oi th< the Shoalhaven River, on the

south. This coal basin consists of the permo-carboniferous coal measures overlaid by the'Hawkesbury
[t,i, hi fries. The second coalfield referred to is t] rence and Richmond field. Ir

doftriassi rod >fa a, it contains no coal seams of commercial value.

It may, however, lie underlaid by the productive The coastal region i-

,,i .i largeh composed oi po I • rtiary fluviatile deposits, which form exceedingly rich agricultural ai
A considerable area between the Richmond i id Twei ' occupied by basalt, the d

which has produced b rich soil, eminently suitable for agriculture and dairy farming.

' D '•. rho miin divi I of New S mth Wales is

ith granitic and other igneous rocks. That
portion of it. however, which is sit- bward ol Sydney is capped with tnesozoic strata,

ily, the ETawkcsbury Serie3, forming the covering of the principal coal basin.

The highlands form bal Region can be divided intoseveral well-marked

elements, namely : (a) the Ne England M Bine Mountain Massif, and (c) the Kosciusko .Massif.

Engla a i/<- ! carboniferous age into which

idc I. It e ml border some :!•">" miles to the

outh. and is approximately in > miles wide with a broad offshoot the trachyte basses of the Nandcwars

extendin I Forms the divide between the Mclntyre, Gwydir, and Namoi

Rivers on the west, and the Clarence, Macleay, and Manning, on the east. The head waters of the coast

intry in the State. On the western slope) tl untryismucl

(6) Th I: 1/ Massif. Standing on some slight eminence in the Blue Mountains, the

<]>'• appears as a mono! "in. us level plain, am ardly realise thai he is almost on the brink

rtical walled canon nearly 2,000 feel in depth. These great depths are the work <>f rivers flowing
ince its elevation from base level.

tire geological structure is an extremely w< Between the two gri of sand-

stone there is a thin but extremely hale, which weathers readily and so undercuts

the upper sandstone. Below the lower sandstone we have the soft shales and coals of the coal measures,
which are even Less stable than the cl ales.

Sechon across rt~>c Blue Mountain M&ss'if.

/'/ . ay. i ,' isko MassiJ The Kosciusko m from Goulburn to beyond t he Vict orian

border. It almost reachc thi and is about LOO]

The massif terminates inl Lou it Kosciusko (7,305 feet), the highest mountain in

Australia. Except on the south-west, lv ill rugged.

Two important rivers flow down the western slopes oi the Kosciusko massif — the Murray and th.c
Murrumbidgee.

The West n Plains. The Great Western Plains, which extend from the western foothills of the
.oeat tableland, are underlain by granite rocks and sediments of palaeozoic, mesozoic, and early tertiary
age. The most northerly portion is m bhe Artesian Water basin. South of this

is a palaeozoic belt, stretching westerly from the great tableland to the South Australian border. During
the mesozoic era this belt formed a mountain range, whose direction was at right angles to the main
divide: but this i an by denudation, and its surface is now nearly level

with the surrounding country. Tothe Lower Darling and the Murray, is a large

area of < . narini bed (E hi i i : i n the Riverina district up the Murray,

Murrumbidgee, and Lachlan Rivers is undi granitic, Silurian, and Devonian

ce oi the Western Plaini rerei po i tertiary deposits, Hood Loams, &c, except

in isolated cases, where the n still rise above their surface.

Bo i. •• V very systematic classificati dimentary rocks of New South Wales

ide, covering a wide ranf systems.

Ideal sedimentary rocks are probabl) ing the Barrier Ranges in the far west, and

are< onsidered to be of Cambrian age. They consist of a laminate, I series ol crystalline gneisses, quartzites,

Thegreal Broken Hill lode occupies the saddle

'■'"■- ol the strata It i now 0f Larger dimensions than the original cavity,

owing to the ■. Lacement of th ...'■; ,■ ores of lead, silver, and zine. Tothe

northtl m tered ! tes and schists traversed by tin-bearing dykes

of coarse pegmatite. Silurian ro Large area of New South Wales, consisting of a considerable

thickness of slate, andstones and limestones, with intrusions of granites, felspar porphyries, &c. Rocks
of the di of blue limestones, quartzites and slates, covering very

large ai ■ it hern part

i ierable area of r plain and tableland north of Newcastle is occupied by bluish

d tutTs. with occasional belts of limestones corresponding in age with the lower carboniferous

The productive coal measures of New South Wales contain fossil remains showing affinities to both
the permean and carboniferous systems ol Europe, hence the composite name permo-carboniferous which
has been given t» them. The permo-carboniferous coal basin occupies an area oi aboul 25,0CH > square miles,
extending to the north, west and south of Sydney, and is the storehouse of one of the State's most valuable
assets. These measures lie unconforinabl) upon altered claystones of lower carboniferous age, and have
been intruded by granite which has t ilted i he coal seam from the horizontal aboul 10 degrees.

The permo-carboniferous i oal basin is overlam in most places by a thickness of over 1,000 feet of
shales and thick bedded sandstones. These shales and sandstones, which contain fossil fish and
habyrinthodouts, together with plants al various horizons, have been named the Hawkesbury Scries, and
have been subdivided as follows in descending order : —

(a) Wianaraatta shade,. Blue, red and gray shales, with occasional beds of sandstone.

(6) Hawkesbury Sandstones. Thick bedded, grayish-white freestones, used commonly about

Sydney for building purposes.

Narrabeen Shah--. Beds ol < fctocolate-coloured shales and greenish tuffs up to 1,800 feet in

thickness.

TheClarem alba i imposedof rocks closely resembling the Hawkesbury Series. These

coal measures dip under the north-western plains, forming the great artesian basin.

Rocks of the Jurassis, Cretaceous and Tertiary systems have been found in various parts of the
State, much of the alluvial gold, tin ore and gems being found in tertiary and post tertiary soils audi
gravels.

CLIMATE.

The climate ranges from subtropical to temperate in the coastal zone, from temperate to subalpina
in the highland zone, and from temperate to arid in the interior, and to extreme aridity in the western zone.
Rainfall average- froMl 80 inch,-: annually in the sub-Tropical portion of the State to as low as 9 inches in
the extreme west.

(2) Description of Main Forest Types.

The main forest r\ pes are the Hardwood forests, of which species of Eucalyptus anil the allied genera,
Tristania and Syncarpia, are the principal components; the Cypress (CalUtris) forests; and the Brush or

jungle forests.

Hardwood Fori -:-. -The hardwood forests may be divided roughly into two sub-types, namelv,
(1) the comparatively luxuriant growth in the moist parts of the coastal zone and a few favoured places in
the highland zone : and (2) the drier forests of the interior zone, most of the highland zone, and the drier
parts of the coastal zone. Speaking generally, provided that the physical conditions of the soil are satis-
factory, the development of the hardwood forests is dependent directly upon the quantity of atmospheric
and soil moisture available, local variations being due to conditions of sod. aspect. <Vc

With the ..exception of small belts in which pure forests of Eucalyptus pikilaris and of Eucalyptus
maoulata are found, the coastal hardwood forests are mixed, consisting of an overwood of numerous species
•of eucalypts and an underwood ,.f miscellaneous shrubs and small trees, of which spec, 0j I lasuarina and
Acacia are the most abundant. Generally the development of the underwood varies with the moisture
supply and the fertility of the -oil.

The principal hardwood species contained in the coastal -forests are Eucalyptus pilularis, microcorys
reswrifera, paniculata, propinqua, saligna, tereticornis corymbosa, Tristania conferta, Syncarpia laurifolia
and Eucalyptus eugenioides, hemiphloia, aonenioides, sidt rophloia and macuhta 'the last five being able to
thrive under harder conditions t han t he others. In the southern half of the coastal zone species requiring
a more temperate climate, such as E. Ipngifolia, botry tides, sieberiana, capitellata, mueUeriana and goniocalyx
form a considerable percentage of the forest. Although the coastal belt of hardwood was formerly almost
continuous from north to south the quality of the forest varied greatly, markedly inferior forest bein^
characteristic of badly-drained lands, of the shallow soils of the Hawkesburv sandstone formation and of
the dry Hunter River basin.

, . . ,T. e devel.°pment of eucalypts on the highland and interior zones is generally inferior, in the western
halt of the interior zone particularly so. In the interior zone species such as E. crebra, siderophloia and
hemiph lota are frequently interspersed with CalUtris, and they, with the E. rostrata of the river flats form
in patches forests of value. In those few parts of the southern highlands receiving over 50 inches of rain
annually, and not much snow, small but valuable forests of E. gigantea, with E. viminalis, rubida ghbulus
and radiata are _ found, but where the rainfall is low the growth is inferior, and where snowfall is heiv,
either grass land or stunted forests of E. coriacea are found. Similarly, in specially favourable areas in the

northern highlands, good forests of such species as E. Andrewsii and E. obliquahwe 1 n recorded, hut

generally the highland forests are inferior to the best forests of E. crebra in the interior zone and thotnd, of
importance for agricultural, pastoral and mining needs, are not of great value under existing conditions.0

A specially valuable ty, f forest is the E. rostratatype, m, the flats along the Murraj River which

are flooded periodically These lore.,. are the source ol supply to the poorly-timbered area adjoining in
Victoria and New South Wales. 8

Sylviculturally an important feature of the highland and interior hardwood forests is the absence
of undergrowth due to the drying actio,, 0f eucalypts on the soil. The highland zone is in fact niuch
more suited to the growth ol the less exacting conifers than to Eucalypts.

The yield per acre from hardw I for, : , generally low, even in the best localities, this being due

to the tendency oi over-mature trees of local ;pe, ies .o faults, to the ravages of ,i,,„„i whitcants ami to
the exacting demands of the trade. Two thousand cubic fee, ,„ marketable timber per acre from virgm
forest would be regarded as an exceptionally high yield, whiles is rarely that 1,000 cubic feet can be
averaged over even as small an area as 1,000 acres.

6

forest. The Callitris Eorests are composed chiefly of C. robusta and C. cakarafa, the Eormer
ore valuable and abundant, and the latter, occurring .1- il does on the rougher and more
[opes, attaii ioj de\ 1 Lopmenl .

r. .. edfoi inerly a considerable area of the plains in the interioi zone, but in consequent e

re and destruction by settlement is now restricted to isolated patches. It flourishes best

md, and is found either in pureforest or mixed with species of Eucalyptus.

Although a comparatively drought-resiatant species, it has been seriously affected by drought, more so

ing Bucalypte, which are able to derive moisture from greater depths. The

e rainfall throughout the /one affected by Callitris may vary from 15 to 30 inches, but the rainfall

rly distributed. It is incapable of preserving the forest canopy and is

ensitive to Bre. Elegeneration oi cul ovei forests has been prevented, by the rabbit pest

and bj . leep and the remaining forests are now composed chiefly of trees between the 4-inch

and 9-inch diameter classes, giving no prospect of other than an insignificant yield of 10-inch trees for

ears.

/;. ush forests. The brush forests jungle 01 rain forests are. or were, restricted practically to the

warm clii tie north and south coasts, t be main 1 litions governing their existence being warmth

and abundant moisture, while the fertility of the soil is also a Eai

Although the timber /.one map shows a zone of brush Eorests, it is to be understood that this means
only thai the brush Eorests are no ire abundant there than elsewhere, not that they are continuous. Outside
one they are confined to narrow moist gullies, or specially fertile areas in the coastal hardwood
forests.

Brush Eorests are composed generally of a miscellaneous collection of species, and from a forestry
standpoint were valued formerly solely on account of a lew specially valuable species, such as Cedrela
australis, Gmelma Leichhardtii, Araucaria Ounninghamii, FKndersia australis, F. Oxleyana and (
robusta The most abundant of these species was. and still is. the conifer Araucaria, but none of them
remain in sufficient abundance to have an appreciable and lasting influence on the timber supply of bhe
State. Other species which, owing bo the shortage of imported softwoods, are now rinding a market are

tetahim apetakim, Slo anea WooUsii Gryptocwrya Bpecies, lAtsea species, EloBOcar pus species, Tarrietia
ndron, Vagus .\l<"n<i. Doryphora sassafras, Dysoxylon species, Geissois Benthamii, and Sch
ovata.

Sylviculturally the brush forests are, distinct from the two preceding types in that they provide
a good forest canopy a ml enrich the soil by the formation of humus, to which they give use. On this a ■<<■
brush areas have largely been devoted to close settlement directed to the advancement, of the dairying
industry.

In order to afford some indication of the distribution of the forest resources a Timber Zone Map is
furnished, and the following brief descriptions of the timber zones will be informative : —

Zone of Coastal Forests.

Territorial area about 13,797,000 acres. Approximate forest area 1,900,000 acres. Region of good to
high rainfall, under development for dairying, cattle-raising, mining, and farming. Timber supply com-
paratively a lundant, mainly hardwood of good quality, and ample for the needs of settlement, bu1 Largely
in demand and 'extensively used for building, construction, manufacturing, and developmental Works
throughout the State. There is also a margin for export.

Zone of Brush I

Territorial area about 6,339,000 acres. Approximati a 1,500,000 acres. Region of high
rainfall under development Em dairying and small farming. Timber supply abundant, mainly soltw 1

1 quality and ample for the needs ol settlement, but more largely in demand and utilized for building
and manufactures in the more populated parts oi the state.

Highland Zone.

Territorial area about 30,039,000 ai ree. Approximate forest area about 1,700,000 acres. Region of
i ,ii rainfall mainly occupied for pastoral purposes, but in parts considerably developed for mining and
agriculture. Timber supply generally scattered and spars,-, mainly hardwood of fair to good quality,

litable for the needs of a tural, and mining population.

Inti

Territorial area al Approximate forest area i cres. Region of

in rainfall, mainly occupied (or past.. . but including the great wheat belts,

which are under development for agriculture. Timber supply generally scattered and sparse, including
both hai quality, suitable for the need oi pastoral and agricultural population,

and in part ;l and developmental works.

Western Zone.
Territorial area about 66,868,000 acn area not appreciable a.' acreage. Region of low

upied for pa tOTal and mining purposes Timber supply very sparse, scattered, and

■ ially suitable for the needs of occu]

(3) Area Covered by Existing Forests.

The forest area of the State embracing timber supply of appreciable merchantable value, is estiii :

ro include about 11,000,000 acres, made up approximately of aboul 8,00 .ores, which is still the

property of the State, and about 3,000,000 acres which has been either alienated or is in process of alienation.

The area of scrub or other forest growth at present unprofitable o] inac ible, and the area of agrii altural

land in the State cannot he furnished with any degree of reliability.

Table I.

Statement showing the total area of Forest, including Crown and private resources, and the pen
of the land area covered bv Forest.

land.

Othi t land.

Merchantable.

Unprofitable or
inaccessible.

Total.

Tut.it.

17,187-5

'.14-4.-.

309,455
100

(4) Brief Notes of the Most Important
These are furnished in the following
and principal uses : —

Timbers, &c.

Schedule, which also includes information as to localities, supply,

Common Xanie.

Botanical Designation

Principal Locality and Supply.

Principal ' -

Vhite or Grey [ronbark

ted Ironbark 1

Vhitc String; bark

ted Stringybark
■fountain Ash ...

bast Asli ...
Jlackbutt ....
fallow- wood

Vhite Mahogany
Spotted Gum

;rey Box

>ed Mahogany

lurray R

forest Red Gum

Sydney Blue Gum ■•

■ r Brush Gum f

Voolly Butt

Jlood-wood

led Box

turpentine
irush Box

i

E. sitU rophl '"■

■ '

I

E. ug a

iful.... -\
iifui... I
zones; C

E. capitellata

/-.'. macrorrhyncha

h. gigantea

E. sii l: t ian I

i frit ...

E. microcorys.

E. acm

E. maculate ...

A', A phloia

E. retinifera...

Hardwoods.

Coastal zone: not plentiful....'
Coastal zone; not plentiful..
C'oa-st and interior zones;

fairly plentiful.

ind highland

not plentiful. |

Highland zone; fairly plenti- 1

ful.
Highland zone; fairly dense ~
10,000 seres. |

< bast zone; south fairly plenti- (

ful.
Coast zone; plentiful

Girders, sleepers, piles, naves, felloes, sawn and
hewn bridge timber. &c. ; any situation
where special strength is ri quired.

Buildings, sleepers, fencing posts and poles

Coast zone ; fairly plentiful.

Coast zone; {airly plentiful
Coast zone; fairly plentiful.

Coast and highland zone;
plentiful.

zone; not plentiful.

E. punctata \

E. propinqua f

E. rontrata

Coast zone : plentiful

/:'. U n ticomis

E. saligna

E. hngifolia ...

E. cori/mbosa ...

/•.'. polyanth mo

(lynearpia laurifolia ..
Tristania conferta t ....

ted Cedar Cedrela lustralis

Rosewood Dysoxylon Frasei

Red Bean ....
White liecch

Vysoxylm MueUeri.
Gmelina /• •■ hJiarctti

Brown Beech ") , , , , ,

p BoHy Gum j /'''-'" reticulata

v Oak I

Red Silky Oak

Black Bean
maehwood

>udjerie

Native Teak.

/

to ~\

Oriles exceha f

si, nocarpun lalignv*

Cqxlanospcnnum auMrale..

i ' ratop talum apt '«/«//• ...

/■ lindt , Ha Schottiana

/ lindt rata a-ustralis

Interior zone; fairly plentiful....

Coast and highland zones; not
plentiful.

Coast zone; plentiful J

Coast Z"iie; nut plentiful

Coast zone: plentiful

Coast and highland zones; not
plentiful.

Coast zone: plentiful

Coast zone; plentiful

Brushwoods.

Coast and brush zone, wiv

' oast and hi ash zone ; not

plentiful.

Brush zone ; not plentiful

Coast and brush zones no!

plentiful.
i 'oasl and brusl zones ;

scattered.
Coast and brush zones; not

plentiful.

I 'oast anil brush zones; not

plentiful.
Coast and brush zones; not

plentiful.
Coast arid brush 'one-, plentiful

Brush zone ; scarce

Brush zone: not plentiful.

Buildings, vehicle framing, oars, implemen
handles, tool ban. lie-.

Souse and shipbuilding, ivi o l-paving, waggon

scantling, slei poles.

Flooring, ilc king, building, framing, girders,

sleepers.
Buildings, posts, pil ders.

House building, coach building, wheel-

wrighting, framing, ship planking,

indies.

Sawn bridge timbi r, framing sleepers, girders,

posts. na\ ' -. cogs,
Weather-boarding, >od- wing, turnery,

heavy furnit
Short girders, I its, poles, and

groundwork generally.
Building and bridge timber, gird rs, sleepers,

paving blocks, posts, piles.
Building timbei , . poles.

Genera] buildinj - id wheel-

wrights' work, WOod-paving, wheel felloes.
Building purposes, posts, poles, sleepers.
Posts, poles, and ground work generally.
Rough building, posts, poles, slabs, and ground

I generally.
Piles, poets, sleepers, fencing.
Bridge decking, p:i\ ing, I handles.

Fumil n binet ware

Furniture. . panelling, turnery,

wood can ing, engt
Building, furniture cabinet and
Flooring, ship d », picture

frame . ing.

Lining boxes, casks,

i asks, staves, kegs, furniture, panellh

framing.
Furniture, venei s, walking

sticks, piqture frames.
Cabinet work, staves, furniture.

Coachbuilding. boal building, i ai , entry.

joinery, cabinets, box-wood.
Furniture, flooring, general building, handles.
House building, flooring, slabbing,

wheels.

.

- V,

and brush zones: fairh Floorings, linings, ceilings,

plentiful as n brush species, boxes, packing cases,

fairly plentiful as Building, ceilings, I

I pos S, poll B.

5 Ownership of Forests.

[n the sense of timber prcservati nandg - Owing

administration, mi of alienation, under

land tenures, and I value for forestry were devoted to pastoral and

agricultural pursuits, under which their timber wealth was destroyed. There is no municipal ownership

ste as in European countries, and apart frorj session of coal

and other mining companies, th orporate ownership. As shown under beading (3), the forcsl

Lbracing timber supply ol appreciable merchantable value is estimated at i 1,000,000 acres, of which
es i- still in the possession of the Crown. The existing appropriation ol State landi
for forestry comprises 5,044,000 acres, set apart as State forests, and 1,847,000 ai ed temporarily

as timber reserves, a total the ultimate intention under the approved forest policy

i> to appropriate a total of not less than 5,500,000 a - ind there is a

probability thai under a scheme for preservation of tin- remaining forest resources of the Commonwealth,
which K i'.'.n ucdei national consideration, a further 2,500,00 'ill he held up from

alienation in the combined interests of climate, and timber and water supply.

II,
Classification of the Forest \ rship.

Square miles
Percentage ...

Timber

7,881
15-8

■

1,619
26-8

12.500
72-6

1,687
27-2

(6i The Relationship of the State to the Forests.

Until recent years, the relationship of the State to the forests may be des< ribed as a parental ship.
i baracterised sdect. Their part as an asset in the country's resources was not regarded with

litical weight until the thinking public, alarmed a1 the vast destruction and waste of forests that

ration, and abetter understanding of their
potential importance. Then the Government of the day appointed a Ro ol Inquiry, as

a result of which the first forest law w 1909, and later in 1916 this law was repealed and super-

seded by a more comprehensive measure, which is the one now in I

A.
The. following is . snslation, viz. :- The Forestry .V t No. 55 ol l!)16

es for the consolidation and amendment ol the law relating to forestry; for the dedication, reser-
vation, control, and use of State forests timber reserves, and Crown lands for forestry and other puiposrs:
for the i ssion to administi with power to sell and convert timber and

products, and to purchase and sell horsi -. cattle, and sheep to lie depastured on State forests and timber
for the management of the forests ; and for purpose at theTeon or incidental t

B.

■ m in the transition stage froi under license more or less

controlled to the departmental felling of timber, and its |

former, regenerative ; was delayed indefinitely until the licensees considered that th<

: all the marketable timber possible, when the Department took such measures as w<

time converting any saleable trees which were, left standing
Under the latter, thi th annual cutting block being

to the full and prepared for regenera! departmental cmplo

only be said to be in its ii thegi acral lines on

which development is proceeding are as folio jsessment surveys are mad tscom-

piled, showing ibdivision into working ent, the nature of the timber stand on each

compartment, and the sylvicultural treatr. , sucj, M TQ&^

tion, water Bupply fencing residence, S and the proposed fire protection scheme

ports form the basis for the framing of elementary working plans approved by the Commission!
and unalterable except on the authority of the Commission. '

9

Fire protection is being developed steadily as surveys and organisation proceed, the basis b
the construction of a framework of fire lines and breaks along the compartment boundaries. Where
complete fire protection is impossible under existing conditions- as in rough eucalyptus forest— light
tiring in the sale season is practised as a precautionary measure against fiercer conflagrations.

Although the bulk of the work already undertaken has been directed to the control and manage-
ment of the natural forests, afforestation of waste or unproductive areas is now receiving attention. T] e
afforestation proposals oi the Commission contemplate the introduction of exotic conifers to areas which
are not capable of producing valuable forests of local species, these areas being chiefly in the highland zone.
Uji to the present 12 areas, containing about 60,000 acres, have been selected, and nurseries established
on for the production of planting stock. The area planted during the current year will approach
1,000 acres, and a progressive increase is expected thereafter as new sites are selected.

('.
No statutory assistance is given to private forest development by the provision of nursery stock;
grants, remission of taxation. &c. There is in reality no scope for it, because forestry is not privately
practised. The State, however, provides nursery stock and advice gratis to municipalities, shire councils,
and similar public bodies, for the planting of streets, roads, parks, and other public lands, but such
plantings are more of ornamental than economic value. They certainly do not come within the scope oi
forest planting.

(7) The Forest Authority.

The Forest Authority is a Commission of three members, constituted under the Forest Law. with
departmental quarters in the capital — Sydney.

The State has been organised to include twelve forest districts, which include the principal foresl
essions of the Crown. Each district is in charge of a Resident District Forest Officer, who is held
responsible for the working and administration of the district in his charge, and who is assisted by a
comprising one. and in some cases, two assistant foresters, a number of forest guards supervising sub-
districts within the main divisions, forest overseers resident upon, and supervising approved i
operations, and directing the work of forest employees.

The whole of the districts also come under the purview of district inspectors, who periodically
travel over and closely inquire into their working and management.

In addition to the regular staff of forest officers attached to districts, a staff of forest surveyoi
assessors is employed on the survey and assessment of State forests, prior to their organisation and the
laying down of working plans. A technical staff of nurserymen and planters is also employed in disi i
where the planting of coniferous softwood is in progress. The existing staff for carrying out the control
and management of the forests, and the various branches of forest activity, is as follows :—

CONSTITUTION AXD STRENGTH OF THE NEW SOUTH WALES FOREST SERVK I.
ON THE 30th JUNE, 1919.

\ DMINISTRATIVE.

Head Office. Field.

Position. Xo. Position. No.

Secretary
Chief Inspector ...

Chief Clerk

Accountant and Examiner

Timber Expert ...

Officer in Charge of Leasing and Drafting

Forest Engineer ...

Draftsmen

Timber Inspectors
Clerks

Typists ... ...

Messengers

Position. No.

Superintendent of Planting ... ... ... ... ... 1

Planting Overseers ... ... ... ... ... ... 2

Nursery Hands ... ... ... ... ... ... ... li

Carpenters ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 2

The powers and duties of the Commission, as defined by law. are as set out in the following secth lis
of the Act, and for convenience its business transactions are sectionised under the heads of " Adminis-
tration and Finance." " Forest Management," and " Commercial Development."
*91811— B

1 Inspector and District Forester

... 1

1 District Foresters

... 11

1 Assistant Foresters ...

... 13

1 Timber Inspectors

... 4

1 Forest Guards

... 7(1

1 Surveyors and Foresl Assessors

... 7

1 Clerks ...

... 15

2 Cadet

... 1

2 Forest Overseers

... 18

16 Acting Foresters
3
2

... 66

Technics i ,

10
PART I \< T 55, 1916.

T,n I 0MM18SIO.N •' D ITS POW I BS \ D Dl TIES.

5. (1 1 There shall be i Hows :

The Governor shall, as soon as he thinks advisable after thi ii < this Act, appoint a Chief

issioncr and two other Ci o tall constitute the Forestry Commission.

If the Chicl Cominissionei di lecision ol the othei ommissioners with respectto

an» ,,,,, the commu its decisi ach matter shall be deferred for

ithantwentj lecision, or ii Commissioner was no! present when the

m was given, for nol lesi than twenty-foui l been broughl to his knowledge, when

it shall inu ■ idi the Chief Commi ioner again disapproves of the

. n oi the othei i lis '''■' •''■ nl erate judgment

i In.-: Comn i -hits.

. . hold his office For ■ term ol seven years From
the date ol his appointment, bul may be reappointed.

(:'.) No uncertificated bankrupt or insolvent shall be capable oi being appointed a commissioner
and any commissioner who is d ankrupt, or who applies to take the benefit "I any Act for the

relief ol insolvent debtors, or who compounds by deed ot instrument in writing with his creditors, shall be
incapable of continuing a commissioner, and 1" be vacant.

(I) A commissioner ms by the Governor only for misbehaviour ci

incapacity, or upon resolutioi l! oi Parliament.

(5) Anv vacancythat may occurin the office i during the term of such office

shall be filled by the appointment by the Governor of a commisf ioner who shall hold office For the unexpired
portion of such term.

ii. T! shall be paid salaties a- the Following rates per annum: —

The Chief Commissioner, one thousand two hundred and fifty pounds.
Any other commissioner, one thousand poi
Such salaries are hereby charged upon the < Consolidated Revenue Fund, and such fund, to the extent
required For the payment of such salaries, is hereb) permanently appropri

7. The commission shall be a body corporate under the uame ol " The Forestry Commission of
New South Wales," and by thai uame • hall have perpetual succession and a common seal.

8. All courts, judges, and persons acting judicially shall take judicial notice of the common seal of
the commission affixed to anv deed, instrument, or writing, and shall presume that such seal was properly

affixed then; a

Pom i n mission.

9. The commission shall have the administration of this Act. and shall exercise the powers and
discharge the duties conferred and imposed on it by this Act. and shall, subject to the provisions of the
Public Service Act. 1902, or any i.ct amending it. have the control of officers and other persons appointed
or employed under this Act, and shall, except where in this Act otherwise expressly provided, have the
control and management ol stair Eore I and timber reserves :

Provided that in such administration and in the exercise and di u barge ol rah powers and duties
tl ommission shall be subject to .<;\i\ shall ai I in accordance with the regulations.

10. (1) The Governor may, subject to the provisions of the Public Service Act. 1902, or an) Act

amending it. appoint such officers and oth i p a may be necessary for the purposes of this Act :

Provided thai no such officer or person shall be appointed withoul reference to the commission, and
thai all casual and general employees on foresl work shall be engaged by the commission.

cji The commission ma) provide Eor the training of Forest officci . the conducl ot ce carch
work, and the collection of statistics in coi tl Forest rj

11. ( I ) The commission i E timber and produ I State forest or timber rei erve,

and -

(a) take a ad sell such timber .<)u\ products ;

ogs, sawn timb othei merchantable article, and nil

t he sa me;
■ ert any such products into i md sell the same :

lines and other works Eor the transport of timber, and

I use rehich i i itl tin- ssary motnc power;

onstruci p iwmilli and with the necessary machinery and

.la i't For converting timbei and manufacturing arl ides From timber, and use such mills for

those purpi

(2) Tim commission ma ad depasture them on State

aeep.

12. \ll monc\ payable to under this or any othei \et. shall be collected and

receive. I by it on aci i into ' I : ' ' < > ins . .I i. I a • ,■ I Revenue Fund.

o) Money.

13. (1) Ul moneys appropriated b) Parliament For the purposes Ethi Vcl and for all purposes in

• xpended under the control and management of the commission.
(•_') line hall ..I the grosi amount received by the i n from royalties, licenses, and

indei 'In- \ ei otherwise than under paragraph (e) subsection one of

Bection eleven, shall be carried to a ial account in the Treasury, and shall be set apart for i fforestation]

■ Eoi roads, for the resumption

11

of land under this Act, and Eor purposes incidental thereto. The sum so set aparl in any year may during
that and the next succeeding year, but ai no other time, be withdrawn From the Consolidated Revenue
Fund and l>c expended under i he control of the Commission for the above purposes without any authority

other than this Act. A return of any money so expended in am year shall, as soon as possible after the
commencement of the next succeeding year, be laid before both Houses of Parliament.

(3) Provided that the expenditure by the Commission of any amount exceeding five thousand
pounds on any work shall be subject to the approval of the Minister.

1 1. (1) The provisions of the Audit Act, 1902, and of any other Act relating to the collection and
payment of public moneys and the audit of the public account shall, save as in this Act otherwise
expiessh provided, apply to the Commission and to the Commissioners and to all officers and persons
under the control of the Commission.

(2) The Commission shall cau e book to be provided and kept, and a true and regular account
to bo entered therein of all sums of monev received by it, and of the cosl of all property vested in it. and
of all payments made by it under the provisions of this Ait. and of the salaries and maintenance of officers
and persons under the control of the Commission.

All such books shall ln> open to the inspection of the Auditor-General and of any person authorised
by the Minister or the Auditor-General to inspeel the same; an.1 all such persons may take copies or
extracts therefrom.

Any clerk or other person having the custody of any such books who does not on demand permit
any person authorised as aforesaid to examine the said hooks and take copies or extracts therefrom shall
be liable to a penalty not exceeding five pounds.

The income and expenditure of the Commission lor the lasl bv, i vear: of its existence are as shown
hereunder :

Income.

Year,

1917 18

Timber Licenses.
Royalty.

£58,031 £6,32-1

Sales. Uentsan
Permits.

£2,010 £1,455

i

Other
Heads.
£3,149

Total.

£70,969.

1918 I'.i

£70,888 £5,611

£3,426 £15,178

£2,490

£97,593

E.i ■/« ndilure.

l'car.
1917 18

On Administration.
£48,396

On r iti -t Works.

On Misc
El,

. Heads.

765

Total.

£77,688

L918 19

£52,8C0

£65,318

£3,014

£121,162

li.cruitwg aid Training of Superior a d Subordinate Staffs.

No training i se in the practici of Eorestrj having been > fcablished in the State, officers oi the

service, both superior and subordinate, have been chosen from general applicants, due regard being paid
to natural fitness. Latterly preliminary training in forest survey and plantation camps has been given,
while the general education of officers is assisted by the publication of a forester's manual, bulletins on
general forestry subjects and chapters on sylviculture, and by field instruction at every opportunity.

A forestry school, which will be the training ground for the superior staff of the future and at
which short courses will be given to the subordinate staff, was opened in March. 1920.

The new forestry school is located in a State forest near Gosford, about 50 miles north of Sydney.
The course provides for lectures and practical work in the Eorest over a period of two years, followed by
field work for a further period of twelve months, ai the end of which time successful candidates will be
eligible for appointment to the service.

The academic course compri : !

First Year. Se old ) < ar.

Sylviculture. Fores; Management.

Forest Mensuration and Office Procedure. Forest Policy and Protection.

Forest Bota.iv. Forest Botany.

Physiograph) . < feolog^ .

Surveying. Elementary Forest Engineering.

Entomology.
The Commission issues an annual report on its proceedings, and various leaflets and bulletins on
different branches oi forest work, and supervises and edits the publication of an Australian Journal of
Fore: I ry Literature.

(8) Forestry Activities of Municipal and Corporate Bodies, &c.

There are practically no forestry activities in the Stale undertaken by the bodies above aentioned
or by private companies or indh idual i.

(9) Professional and other Societies interested in Forestry, &c.

With the exception of a branch of the Australian Forest r\ League which ;ake mainly an academic
interest in the Forestry question, ' here are no other societies of the character indicated. The headcj
of the League is in Melbourne, Victoria, and they issue a quarterly publico! ion designated " Thi Gum rree.

(10) Educational Research and Experimental Work.

Since its establishment the Forestry Commission ha: i ntered upon a regular campaign oi publicity,

carried on by means of the issue of bulletins, Leaflet pre - pars., and the publication of a journal, with
the object of enlightening and educating the people on, and extending their interest in, the forests and their
requirements. \ greal deal of attention has been given in this campaign to qui
use of (in . organisation for fire prevention, and other aspects of forest preservation.

12

arch upon the commercial possibilities

. following field : — The pulping qualities of

pertie ■ timbers;

oil values of foliage ; the products of the dry distillation

pecial and undetermined uses to

put.

rk is beingcarried out t I he rates

ion, by planting and

ing of w Is.

(11) Annual Increment and Utilisation of Home-grown Timber.

(A0

ive not yet been determined, and it will

opted.
In 1 tances, it is obviously impossible to furnisli ' incremenl

might be nf value.

i.i: 111 (not nt ili-.
(B.)

rures ol utilisation furnished are exclusive < oftv I) imported, and are based

partly on forestry and statistical returns un irth on estimates. They may be accepted

as approximately correct. The p produced from forests nor under control of the State is usually

taken at one-sixth, which is probably a fair estimate also. The gross consumption of native raw timber
foryea Q.OOOcubic 24,268,700 cubic feet.

Table IV.
Anxi ai. Utilisation, including Exports.

Quantity.

Approximate value

at the place

ol preparation.

Under State Control —
12,500 square miles

Other —

1,687 square miles .

Total .

Native Raw Timber

3

4

cub. ft.

£

20,223,920

2,000,000

4.H44.780

400,000

24.2GS.7ui.

2,400,

(12) Forest Industries.

. industries in the State, viz.. Lumbering and Sawmilling, and they are
i loscly related. The Lumbering industry includes the felling and transport of log timber for sawmilling;
the la-wing of timber into squared lumber such asb< rs, sleepers, posts, slabs, &c. ; the preparation

and transport of i fuel, &c.

ted under I. se given under Table TV- Utili-

sation—are based partly oi I returns and partly on estimates, and they include the raw timber

consumed in Sawmilling. Thi ilable figures of Sawmilling output— 409 establishments — are

also furnished separately.

Table V. Forest Indi stbies.

Industry-

Lumbering

Sawmilling output

at place
• i preparation.

No. of persons
employed.

cub. ft.
24,268,700
10,562,000

£
2,400,000
1,072,878

7,119

t.L'.VS

(13) Statistics as to Exports and Imports of Timber.

re, include raw timb manufactures only,

comprise hardwoods principally, and cannot be supplii I; under species. A further Table

dividing the i es cannot be furnished, but one showing the principal destina-

ind the average quantities and values for the same period, is supplied.

\ f.
' i HO II to 1918 L9 inch)

. plus or minus

rub. ft.

12. 2 II. .".oil

c

cub. tt.

- in.i;o7, son

£
-845,300

13

Table \ I >. .
I period. 1910-11 to 1918-19 ii

s

i nitoil Kill! <li

■

,b

II.

r

:

500 111.

_':'.( i

14,81

133,740 25

100 584.170

, 170

(14) Summary and Outlook.

\

Tin- total bom asumption of home-grown and imported tinibei cannol bi compared with the

total increment, which cannol be ! bul the otl d exclusive of increment figures,

Under : —

Table Vll.

Type ot

Timber.
(Col. 'J minus

Col : |

iorl

[ I'abli l i.
Col. 4.)

Total Homo

Consumptioi

ol Home ;m»

I mporfced

b i

-I ol. i phis
Col. 5.)

\i t
ncremenfc.

1 i

Balance.
plus or minus

i + or - I.

(Col. 7 minus

i 1 1. 6.)

. ul.. ft.
24,268,700

Total per head ol popu-
lation.

.ul. it
1,633,700

22 63 i,

I L-317

cub. ft.
12,241,500

. ul,. ft.
34 876,500

B.

At the present rate oJ cutting, it is considered that the Hi. up Pine resources of the State will be
practically exhausted in twelve years. The present rate of cutting of cypress timbers can be maintained for
the whole .State by the opening up by railway communication of forests yet untouched. These resources
are in the northern part of the Cypress belt, but the southern and central areas are within reach of
exhaustion now as far as over-girth timber is concerned. After fifteen years, however, the growth of
undersized timber will permit of an animal ctvf greater than at presi tit.

The present rate of cutting in hardwood forests ran be maintained indefinitely under [or I

ement.

C.
The steps nei essary to proteci and develop the forest resources of the country are mainly- -

1. The upholding of independent control by the Forest Commission of the forest estate, without

political interference.

2. Firm and energetic action on the part of the Forestry Commission in exercising its powers,

the. great weakness in the past having been that the management of the forests was made
subservient to the demands oi exploitation.
:',. A rigorous policy of afforestation with exotic conifers.

Fire protection and fire control; the control of grazing, and the extermination of rabbits are essential to
the protection of young crops. Thorough utilisation of all timber which can possibly be marketed is al
the foundation of the provision of a continuous supply of the hardwood requirem nl ol th ■ State, and
this is now being enforced more and more. Systematic operations under fixed rotations are being carried
out by the employees of the Commission, and this method is gradually displacing the old license system.

As far as the Hoop Pine resources are > oni erned, Eoresl alienation and destruction have proci •
too far to admit of even a small annual vield being maintained without closing down two-thirds of the
tablished mills. It is not considered thai the quantities of timber involved t ficient magnitude

in comparison with the needs of the Sta1 ti > irranl this drastic action.

*9isii— e

14

VPPENDU ES.

A. Royal Commission on Forestry, 1907 8.

B. Forestry Acl 55 of 1916, Ad 83 of 191G, V t LG oi 1917.

( Vinuial Reports ol Forestry Commission.
Flora ol New South v.

astioity, and oi New South Wales Hardwood ftmbers.

Principal Timbers ol Ne^ South Wales.

era on Sylviculture Fore brj Handbook, Parts I and 11.
calian Forestry Journal.

D. Bulletins, &c.
A number of photographic illustrations of Forest trees and Forest scenes in the State are snpplir.l
tor the information of the Conference.

E. DALRYMPLE HAY,

Chief Commissioner.

Sydney, New South Wales,
18th May, 1920.

[14 plates : 1 map.]

Sjdnej : William Appleg«M Gullick, Government f nuter. — 1»20.

<
<

<

ITU A

ok is for use in
Building ONLY
and as a
''Reserved" Loan