C.—3

10

APPENDIX A. (1.) REPORT UPON AFFORESTATION OPERATIONS IN THE NORTH ISLAND. (By H. A. Goudik, Superintending Nurseryman for the North Island.) The area planted during the year amounted to 1,130 acres, thus making a total of 25,057 acres planted in llie North Island to date. Trees raised in Hie nurseries during the year are estimated at 8,756,000, while the total raised In date is 71,790,000. On the plantations the results generally are not as good as usual owing to the prevalence of frosts throughout the spring mid early summer, which made I he death-rate amongst newly planted trees greater than usual. Labour. A plentiful supply of unskilled labour has been available throughoul the year, and at one time it was impossible to employ all Hie applicants for this class of work whom Hie Repatriation Department had available. The Waireka returned soldiers' employment camp has fulfilled a useful role in employing a class of demobilized soldier which it was difficult to reinstate into civil lift:. From a departmental point of view the employment of this labour is not; altogether satisfactory, because a great number of the men regard the acceptance of the tree-planting work only as a temporary occupation, and in very many cases they remain for a short period only. The Department is thus debarred from working up a valuable asset in the shape of a staff of experienced workmen. The Maori workmen employed evince a greater desire to look upon (lie forestry work as a permanent occupation, ami it appears as if the future operations of the Department in this district will in a great measure depend upon them. As a class they are splendid workers, fond of the outdoor life, quick to learn, anil intelligently interested in the forestry work. The younger generation of Maoris have had the advantage of educational facilities nor enjoyed by their fathers, and many of these young men could probably be trained to undertake the more responsible classes of work. Sale of Trees to Farmers. Trees to the number of 185,890, anil packets of tree-seeds aggregating 130 Ib. in weight, were supplied to applicants during the year. The shortage of farm labour and the restricted railway service deterred many persons from planting. Experience has shown that Iho Department cannot hope to satisfactorily meet the whole of the demands from farmers in the North Island with trees from Rotorua Nursery because of the delay which often dikes place in the transmission of packages on the railway. Packages consigned to toivns in Hawke's Bay are never less than five days in transit, unless consigned in small lots by parcels rate, anil consequently the trees arc often in an unsatisfactory state when unpacked. In most cases flu- amateur tree-planter does not know howto treat such trees, ami his losses are consequently a source of disappointment to him. When transport difficulties exist applicants are usually advised to procure seed and raise the trees they require. In this way much disappointment has been avoided, and the applications for tree-seeds have increased. Prison Labour. The following schedule shows particulars of the work done by prison labour since the year 1900. During the year prison labour performed work to the value of £2,499 Is. 5d., this being dealt, with in detail on the report on Kaingaroa Plains Plantation, at which station Hie prisoners were employed.

Summary of Prison Labour.

Damage to Plantations. In the autumn of 1919 a noticeable amount of damage was observed in the pine plantations at Waiotapu and Whakarewarewa. which when investigated proved to be due to insects. Specimens of larvoe were secured, and these were identified by Mr. (1. V. Hudson, F.E.S., as belonging to two genera, of moths- viz., Ctenopgeustis obliquana and Tortrix excessana. The damage, although not widespread or sufficient to cause any deaths amongst the trees, appeared to be worst where the soil was poor and dry. All species of pines were attacked, and without further investigation it cannot be definitely stated that the insects showed a preference for any particular one. The caterpillars feed on the young leaves, the midrib of which generally gets gnawed through about the centre, thus causing the top end to hang over and wither. Trees affected present the appearance of having had their young shoots badly damaged by frost. During the autumn just passed a recurrence was observed, but the damage done is not as great, as on the former occasion.

Station. Ycur. Period, Total Value of Work performed. [ , i Average Daily Num- Average Value l>er of Men of Work per employed j Man during per Year. Period. Vha Icarewarewa Plantation Vaiotapu Plantation Caingaroa Plains Plantation 1904-17 1900-13 1919-20 1912^20 I Years. 12-58 12-08 1-00 7-08 £ s. d. 12,518 7 10 24,665 2 6 2,499 1 5 15,117 6 1 £ s. d. 12-86 77 7 7 30-22 67 II 3 23-62 105 16 1 23-14 92 5 5 ,,