Mr. Carlo Catani, Engineer of Roads and Bridges, in the Public Works department, was examined concerning the work of constructing levees, which is being carried out on the banks, of the Goulburn River. The work now in progress, he said, extended 40 miles along one side of the river, and would cost about £5000. The work would greatly enhance the value of land in the vicinity, as it would protect it from floods. He admitted that there was a probability that a forest of red gums - a tree that requires periodical inundation to live - would be destroyed, but did not think that in any case the timber there was particularly valuable. Red gum timber was but little used for building bridges, although useful for sleepers and paving blocks.
The Chairman: What puzzles us is why the public first should he called upon for £38,000 to improve private owners' property.
Mr. Catani said that there were at least 20,000 acres of land which, at present, would not fetch £1 an acre, even if 20 years were given in which to pay. it. After the completion of the levees the land could be sold for £3 per acre. A written offer had been made some two years ago to buy the whole of the land protected by the Cobram levee at £2 10/ per acre. The work was to be carried out by workmen recruited from the ranks of the unemployed. The unemployed had become quite an institution.
Mr. Ham: Yes; a Government Institution.
Mr. Catani: Well, every year £5000 or £6,000 has to be spent as a sop to the unemployed. (Laughter.) This work was intended to relieve the hard times of these people.
It was decided that the commission should pay a visit of inspection to the works as soon as the necessary arrangements could be made.
Red Gums, Dandenong, pre 1954, some of the many red gums growing
south of the Dividing Range (see letter below)
Photographer: Archibald G. Campbell (1880-1954). Coloured lantern slide.
Museums Victoria https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/items/1449231
This was the end of the matter for Carlo on that day at the Forestry Commission meeting. However, a reader of The Age report took umbrage at Carlo's comments on red gums and wrote a letter to the Editor of that paper, which they published under the heading of - Is it ignorance or what?
Sir, - Mr. Catani, engineer of roads, &c., is reported in your issue of this morning as having stated before the Forest Commission "That the red gum is a tree that requires periodical inundation to live." This statement is so contrary to the fact that, coming from such a quarter, it needs contradiction. The truth is that south of the Dividing Range scarcely any red gum grows subject to the conditions referred to, and the large supplies used in Melbourne and suburbs are mainly drawn from forests absolutely incapable of being inundated. He further implies that the timber referred to is not of great value, yet what a different tale the timber merchants of Melbourne tell. I should not have referred to the matter but the ignorance displayed in certain quarters about our native timber is lamentable, and doubtless accounts for the ruthless destruction which is constantly going on of our most valuable native trees. Yours. &c., RED GUM. 22nd June.
