C.-Ib

27

Divisional Plans. In presenting explanatory plans of Conical Hills and Naseby Survey Plantations every efioi I has been made to , combine accuracy with simplicity. The trial surveys have been carried out by the officers connected with each station, arid the tabulation of statistics is sufficiently reliable for the basis of any future working-plan. Outline op Peoposals fob 1913-14. Dusky Hill Plantation. —Only a small expenditure is anticipated here during the coming year. At the present stage but two employees are required to carry out the general maintenance work, which embraces the replanting of sycamore compartments with more suitable trees, removing larch slash, pruning, and other maintenance works. Conical Hills Plantation. —Preparations are in hand for dealing with an approximate 800,000 trees at this station. Probably the whole area enclosed will also be pitted in readiness for planting in the following season. In consequence of vegetation assuming such a rank state, a greater outlay than usual will eventuate under the heading of " General Upkeep." Waitahuna Plantation. —The suppression of rank gorse and broom on this experimental plantation is necessary, although no further replanting measures are advisable at the present stage. Naseby Plantation. —Some 300,000 trees are now sufficiently advanced in the Ranfurly Nursery for permanent planting there. As the portion of the run originally resumed for; afforestation purposes will be fully taxed with this number, the further resumption of land ■ and an almost immediate start at enclosing the property would be beneficial. Gimmerburn Plantation. —The labour here will include the producing of horse-feed for other South Island stations not possessing such adaptability for grain-growing; general pruning and fire-preventive measures will also occupy some little time of an employee who will be temporarily transferred from the district nursery. Hanmer Springs Plantation. —By combining free and prison labour no difficulty should be experienced in utilizing about 750,000 trees in extending this young forest. In addition, some 100,0.00 pines (for Hororata Plantation) have been placed at the disposal of the Selwyn Plantation Board. The dismantling and subsequent re-erection of divisional fences is also included in the year's projected extension scheme.

General. No changes have occurred in the official staff, to whom my best thanks for cordial and able assistance is due. . Special visits of inspection were made by the members of the Forestry Commission, and at a later date by Mr. J. Strauchon, Under-Secretary for Lands.

Rainfall and Temperature recorded at the South Island State Nurseries.

Tapanui Ni irsery. Eweburn Ni irsery. Hanmer Springs Nursery. Year. Rainfall. Temperature. Rainfall. Tempe: ■ature. Rainfall. Temperature. Inches. Days. Max. Min. Inches. Days. Max. Min. Inches. Days. Max. Min. 1898-99 1899-1900 1900-1 1901-2 1902-3 1903-4 1904-5 1905-6 1906-7 1907-8 1908-9 1909-10 1910-11 1911-12 1912-13 36-32 37-49 35-21 36-09 48-32 42-15 40-60 43-95 30-37 25-91 39-92 31-67 28-29 38-53 43-45 170 169 150 144 173 127 141 119 134 127 157 141 159 201 213 90 98 92 94 <k; in 92 90 88 92 88 95 90 90 87 22 14 19 16 22 16 24 21 21 24 24 21 25 22 22 13-42 19-21 18-76 17-04 19-58 19-00 15-68 17-41 13-38 13-93 21-78 13-98 15-61 16-26 22-67 93 83 90 82 85 73 87 113 94 95 111 86 92 122 122 88 87 91 80 78 90 86 81 89 96 84 95 81 93 84 14 5 10 9 16 8 6 14 62-18 34-71 48-44 44-77 43-74 44-68 51-38 50-73 164 117 116 151 139 110 131 139 91 94 98 83 90 85 94 90 13 18 18 17 20 20 17 15 6 15 2 11 10 15 II Averages 37-21 (Over pi 155-0 [ iriod of 17-18 (Over pi 95-2 iriod o: 47-58 (Over pi 134-6 j ... iriod of 8 yea: 15 ye; ,rs). 15 y. sars). s)"