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systematic grazing with sheep, and also in supervising any work requiring attention. Although the wisdom of forming plantations and subsequently allowing them to remain without a resident caretaker is questionable, the extent of young forest here at present does not perhaps justify such an annually recurring expenditure. One man was engaged for some little time in ridding the enclosure of rabbits, which of late have become very troublesome. It was, however, impossible to eradicate the pest under the circumstances prevailing last season ; but as rabbit-proof has now been substituted for sheep-proof netting the prospect of more satisfactory work is bright. Double leaders being conspicuous throughout the plantation, arrangements have been made to remedy this by pruning. Every effort will also be made to cut the clumps of briers, blackberries, and gorse, which appear to be spreading here and there. By expending £10 10s. 2d. the total outlay on the plantation to date reaches £10,065 75., but by including the value of prison labour this figure is increased by £2,365 14s. 7d., as detailed in supporting statements.

Schedule ll. — Statement of Expenditure. For Year. To Date. Planting operations and maintenance — £ s. d. £ s. d. Tree-planting .. .. .. .. .. 1,777 10 7 Pitting .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,898 11 1 Clearing .. .. .. .. .. .. 13 5 0 Cartage of trees .. .. .. .. .. 73 10 6 General upkeep of plantation .. 5 10 2 1,514 12 6 General repairs .. .. .. .. .. 23 17 8 Horse-feed Permanent works— Acquirement of land .. .. .. .. 3,600 0 0 Fencing .. .. .. .. .. .. 122 17 10 Formation .. . . . . .. .. 158 5 7 Buildings .. .. .. .. .. 41 2 8 Stock, implements, &c.—-Tools, implements . . . . 276 3 2 Supervision and clerical (salaries) — Supervision of free labour . . .. . . . . 347 14 9 Supervision of prison labour .. .. .. 467 16 3 Proportion of Superintending Nurseryman's salary and clerical assistance .. .. 500 115140 £10 10 2 £12,431 1. 7 Estimated value of prison labour (apportioned in above items) .. .. .. .. .. 2,365 14 7 Actual expenditure .. .. ..£lO 10 2 £10,065 7 0 Schedule 111. — Trees Account. Number. Trees received during year. . Less to replace blanks Planted on new area Previously planted .. .. .. .. .. .. 569,640 Total number planted on 209 acres (average age, eight years) . . 569,640 Schedule IV. — Property Account. £ 8 _ j Land (857J acres) .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,600 0 0 Buildings Live-stock Improvements .. .. .. .. .. .. 158 7 7 Fencing .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 122 17 10 Stores in hand £3,881 5 5 Balance-sheet. £ s <j Total expenditure (prison labour included) .. .. .. 12,420 11 5 Less Property Account .. .. .. .. .. 3,881 5 5 Cost of operations .. .. .. .. .. .. £8,539 6 0 209 acres planted (average age, eight years). Estimated value of plantation per acre .. .. . . . . 10 14 6 R. G. Robinson, Superintending Nurseryman.

Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing (1,500 copies), £100.

By Authority : John Maokay Government Printer Wellington.—l9l4.

Price Is. 9d.]