Ring-barking, Timber, and State Forest Regulations.

Lessees are not permitted to ring-bark trees on their leases, except by permission and on payment of a fee of £2 for each 1,920 acres or lesser area. In order to conserve the timber and forests of the colony, provision is made for the reservation of areas as State forests, subdivisible into blocks either entirely reserved from destruction or thrown open for cutting by licensed persons only, at certain rentals, or on payment of certain prescribed fees. The limitations as to class of timber, girth, height, &c., are fully laid down, and further provision is also made for the detection and punishment of persons guilty of any infringement of the regulations, for which purpose forest rangers and other officers are appointed.

There are the necessary clauses giving legal force to acts properly performed under the statute, for conserving the rights of the Crown, and securing the proper disposal of the public estate.

It may be mentioned that the object of the foregoing paper has been to briefly epitomize the leading features of the land system of New South Wales. Care has been taken to keep close to facts, and avoid everything likely to confuse or mislead the reader.