A—ib

34

Schedule 111. — Trees Account. ~ .Number. Trees received during year .. .. .. .. .. 8,250 Less to replace blanks .. .. .. .. .. 8, 250 Planted on new area Previously planted .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,180,837 Total number planted on 845 acres (average age, ten years) 2 ,180 ,837 Schedule IV. — Property Account. , Land (845 acres): Crown land not charged to Forestry Account Buildings .. .. .. .. .. .. . • 430 7 5 Live-stock Improvements .. .. .. .. .. .. 366 7 2 Fencing .. .. " 258 2 3 Stores in hand .. .. .. .. .. .. 25 0 3 £1,079 17 1 Balance-sheet. . , £ s. d Total expenditure .. .. .. .. .. .. 13,553 6 1 Less Property Account .. .. .. .. .. 1,079 17 1 Cost of operations .. .. .. .. .. ..£12,473 9 0 845 acres planted (average age, ten years). Estimated value of plantation per acre .. .. .. 11 17 0 F. Benfell, Plantation Foreman. R. G.|Robinson, Superintending Nurseryman.

Waitahuna Plantation, Otago. (Dredged area, 11 acres ; altitude, 331 ft. ; commenced operations, 1906.) There is nothing special to refer to in connection with this experimental plantation this year, and remarks outlined in the previous report might be again rightly applied. In the early spring of 1911, when foliage was just breaking through, a sharp frost was experienced in the valley, causing much injury to the young Larix europaea planted during the previous year. These trees have not made the expected recovery, and it will be necessary to replant the ground occupied by the affected larch next season. All pines are making excellent progress, and with the increased amount of shelter the Piceas are also responding to the conditions. Attracted by the rich pasture, somebody partly removed the wire-netting, and permitted two calves to graze over the planted area for some months before the Department was made aware of the fact. On visiting the plantation the animals were not in evidence, having been quietly removed. No damage to the trees, however, was done, and the local officer of the Justice Department consenting to keep an eye on the property, a repetition of the trick will probably not be attempted. It was found necessary to expend £22 17s. Id. in cutting and burning gorse and broom growing within the reserve. Various supporting statements are appended. Schedule ll. — Statement of Expenditure. For Year. To Date. Planting operations and maintenance— £ s. d. £ s. d. Tree-planting .. .. .. .. .. 20 2 0 Pitting .. .. .. .. .. .. 27 6 0 Clearing .. .. .. .. .. .. 23 0 3 Cartage of trees .. .. .. .. .. 300 General upkeep of plantation .. .. . . 22 17 1 59 19 4 General repairs .. .. .. .. .. 400 Permanent works — Fencing .. .. .. .. .. .. 57 11 1 Formation .. .. .. .. . . . . 310 0 Stock, implements, &c. —Tools, implements Supervision and clerical (salaries) — Supervision of free labour .. .. .. .. 9 0 0 Proportion of Superintending Nurseryman's salary and clerical ass stance ~ ~ ..300 21 9 0 £25 17 1 £228 17 8