The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1880-10-09
VOL. XXV--NO. Is.
QUEENSLAND.
[EROM OUR own CORREsPoNDEST.1
(ContinlGed.) I-. ..s.

[FROM OUR OwS CORRESPONDENT ..
(ContiJuled.) . 1.. .s.
The following is the memo promised me by
Mr.. Hill-E. Med.
"Tbe Oxley Forest Plantation Reserve is situate
the Brisbane River, about ave miles above the
city. 1t comprises % acres. and is used as a
nursery for the growth Of indigenous and intro
duced plants upon larger scale than would be-
practicable in the Botanic Gardens. of which it
forms a branch. The Reserve at present contains
about 10000 plants Of red cedar (CeireId
TOOnG). and large quantity of other young
forest trees, a great proportion of which are
indigenous the remainder having been intro
dueed for growth on the cooler portions of the
colony, which consist, in a considerable measure.
of elevated downs or treeless plains These
young trees distributed amongst applicants
residing in the districts where The more useful tim
bers do not naturally grow. or have become scarce
through the clearing Of the land in the progress Of
settlement. The colony has. to within the last
week or two been continuously stripped Of It's cedar
for the purpose OF export to the other colonies,
without deriving any benefit to compensate.
in even a small degree, for the wholesale depriva-
ton Of valuable property. During 1879, more
than half q million OF feet OF cedar in logs were
tree is conaned scattered portions of the coast
scrubs, aud is becoming every year more difficult
to obtain. the Government have at length inter-
fered. and levied an export duty, which will at
last afford compensation for the loss we snf-
fer. State Forest Bill has also been introduced
into Parliament, which among other things, will
enable the Government TO make the Oxley Reserve
OF more extensive utility and to establish similar
nurseries in other parts of the colony.
=" There seventy eight varieties Of sugarcane
grown the Reserve. upwards of 20 tons weight
Of which were distributed last season to planters
and others for experimenting TO ascertain the
kinds best suited for their respective localities.
Queensland promises to become of the great
sugar producing countries of the world. In 1871.
total quantity manufactured was only 1892 tons.
During the IL months ended on the 30th june last,
We not only made what was required 10 supply
our own population. but exported IL, ,7lS tons-a
quantity which will be much exceeded during the
current year.
The Oxley Reserve is also used a nursery,
and propagation ground for Numerous other eco
nomical plants such as rice. arrowroot, cassada.
dye-plants. 6bre-yielding plants. &c. The distri-
buttons made entirely gratuitous. The cost
of supervision and labor is paid for by the Govern
ment. well a comparatively small for
incidental expenses The maintenance Of the
Botanic Gardens and Reserve. and the power OF
OF distributing large quantity of seeds and plants
every year. are chiefly derived from system of
exchanges which connects US with many countries
aud colonies. Thus. If you in Hawaii send
seeds or a case OF your indigenous plants-useful.
ornamental, or peculiar only to your country--we
immediately make you an equivalent return, in the
shape either Of the seeds or plants of Queensland
or uf th"se Of any other country with which
are in communication. l will try and send you,
by next mail, list of plants in the Reserve
:. WALTER HILL"