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34

an economic bearing on fire-break work was satisfactorily launched, and results point conclusively to the advantage that may be derived by grazing fire-break areas with sheep. Some 55 chains of fencing were used in forming an enclosure of about 12 acres fringing the Pomahaka River, and during the spring and summer months some twenty wethers were permitted to graze over the reserve. As the herbage was closely cropped, the fire-preventive measure was quite as effectually accomplished as if the area had been ploughed. The external fire-line was extended some 116 chains, and this affords the desired protection on the western side Divisional Plans. —The appended plan, showing the planting arrangement and acreages, was carefully prepared by local officers in the absence of a qualified surveyor, and will suffice until the whole area is planted, when much advantage would accrue from the preparation of a perfectly accurate drawing. General Maintenance. —Reference to the associated statement of expenditure will show that £1,020 4s. 7d. was spent under the item of " General Upkeep," which included such works as removal of coarse undergrowth, tree-pruning, repairing of roads, providing employees with fuel, cutting noxious weeds, horse-shoeing and repairs, rabbiting, and other minor works. The expenditure for the year amounted to £2,975 15s. 9d. (being an outlay of £241 16s. 3d. less than that of the previous twelve months), which provided employment for an average of 208 men. Since the initiation of the afforestation-work at this station £23,748 12s. Id. has been expended, details of which are outlined on the table appended hereto The following is the first record of the year's rainfall and temperature taken at this station :—

Schedule I.

Schedule II. — Statement of Expenditure. T,, ~ , . , For Year. To Date. Planting operations and maintenance — £ s. d. £ s. d. Tree-planting ... ... .. 621 8 6 5,158 6 1 Pitting ... ... ... ... 805 3 4 7,003 811 Clearing .. T.. ... ... 30 19 6 697 2 8 Cartage of trees ... ... ... 32 4 6 353 19 11 General upkeep of plantation ... 1,020 4 7 5,671 10 7 General repairs ... ... ... 62 9 0 433 18 5 Horse-feed ... ... ... 54 5 8 151 16 4 Permanent works — Fencing ... ... ... .. 39 4 3 1,203 15 0 Formation ... ... ... 970 268 18 10 Buildings ... ... ... 6 7 0 320 7 11 Stock, implements, &c— Tools, implements 34 2 5 316 18 1 Supervision and clerical — Salaries — Supervision of free labour ... 185 0 0 1,565 0 0 Superintending Nurseryman's proportion and clerical assistance 75 0 0 603 9 4 £2.975 15 fl £23,748 12 1

Month. Rainfall. - - - - ... Number of Temperature. Number q{ Days Rain Days Frosts fel1 ' Maximum. Minimum. occurred. 1912. Inches. 1-21 3 54 6-96 1-96 1-62 2-77 4-77 2-79 1-25 Degrees. Degrees. 12 74 29 1 14 64 26 14 22 54 25 11 10 58 22 19 12 64 22 17 11 62 30 3 14 64 31 5 18 68 38 8 82 40 April May June July August September October November December 1913. January February March 2-48 3-77 5-43 11 83 38 14 86 32 1 18 80 32 i Totals .. 38-55 164 72