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In mixed blocks of these species this work is always necessary, as the larch grows so rapidly from the start that without assistance the other trees would be speedily suppressed. During the first four years after planting the above-mentioned redwood made little or no growth, but with the shelter from frost and cold winds provided by the larch they have recently improved wonderfully, and judging from present appearances a great percentage of them will ultimately become fine trees. During clearing operations any double leaders found amongst the redwood and Douglas fir were taken out. This was also done on part of a block of Corsican pine where severe frosts had destroyed the original leader, and caused the trees to throw up a number of shoots. A new block of land of some 500 acres was fenced in, part of the materials of the old boundaryfence being used for this purpose, and part of it was also used in subdividing the horse-paddock. The total length of the fencing erected was 83 chains, costing 4s. 2d. per chain, including the carting of material, and the old fence, 220 chains in length, was dismantled and packed out to handy situations for carting, at a cost of 2s. 9d. per chain. Little damage was done to the young trees by rabbits and hares, and beyond laying poison throughout the plantation no further work to keep down these pests was necessary. No fires occurred in the plantation during the year, but a fire carelessly started during Christmas week on the Wairoa Road —which runs for several miles close to the boundary—caused a great deal of anxiety. For the greater part of a week men were required night.and day to watch and check the fire, which on several occasions was carried by change of wind directly towards the plantation, and as all fern growth was exceedingly dry at the time the danger of sparks starting a fire amongst the trees was very great. Although the fire several times obtained a hold on the plantation side of the road it was successfully beaten out, and its progress was eventually stayed at the native bush at Tikitapu. The expenditure in wages in connection with the fire was £11 14s. 6d. Work at which men could earn better wages has been plentiful in the district, and great difficulty has been experienced during the greater part of the year in getting suitable men for the plantation. As the work is in consequence all somewhat backward, and the scarcity of labour still continues, it is quite probable that some trouble in getting through the coming season's work may be experienced. D. J. Buchanan, Assistant Forester. Schedule II. — Statement of Expenditure. For Year. To Date. Planting operations and maintenance — £ s. d. £ s. d. General utilization ... ... ... 68 17 7 Tree-planting ... ... ... 34 16 0 4,199 0 8 Pitting ... ... ... ... 80 6 0 5,418 4 9 Clearing ... ... ... ... 258 11 0 6,182 11 5 Cartage of trees ... ... ... 14 18 6 326 15 10 General upkeep of plantation ... 1,629 3 7 7,918 i 2 5 General repairs ... ... ... 107 16 8 506 0 5 Horse-feed ... ... . . 165 10 0 1,006 8 11 Permanent works — Fencing ... ... ... ... 49 13 0 1,127 14 10 Road-forma,tion ... ... ... ... 368 15 2 General formation ... ... 204 19 6 701 8 10 Buildings ... ... ■■• 109 6 0 972 19 7 Water-service ... ... ■ ■ ■ • ■ ■ 9556 Stock, implements. &c. —Toolf and implements ... ... ... ... 16 3 9 636 14 2 Supervision and clerical — Supervision of free labour ... ... 419 4 6") prison labour ... 205 0 0 3,727 3 4 Clerical assistance ... ... 40 0 0 J £3,335 8 6 £33,256 13 5 Statement of Value of Prison Labour. For Year. To Date. Planting operations and maintenance — £ s. d. £ s. d. Tree-planting ... ... ... 221 4 10 1,779 13 1 Pitting ... ... ... ... 212 2 9 728 4 3 Clearing ... ... ... ... 84 10 0 1,641 14 8 General upkeep of plantation ... ... 368 7 8 1,754 16 5 General repairs ... ... ... 639 316 10 2 Miscellaneous work ... ... ... 118 9 97 18 1 Permanent works — Fencing ... ... ■■■ •■■ ■■• 7130 Formation ... ... ... ... 36 10 5 1,021 8 1 Buildings ... ... ... ... 0 5 0 206 1 0 £931 3 2 £7,553 18 9 Average daily number of prisoners employed during year ... ... 9"51 ' „ ~ since camp started ... 1221