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20

Receipts for the year were as follows : — £ s. d. Trees (67,624) ... ... ... ... ... ... 233 5 6 Sheep ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 481 2 9 Wool and skins ... ... ... ... ... ... 150 2 10 Firewood (IOOf cords), poles. &c. ... ... ... ... 143 5 1 Grazing ... ... ... ... ... ... 18 16 0 Rentals, Ac. ..-. ... ... ... ... ... 77 1.7 3 Total ... ... ... ... ... .£1,104 9 5 Grazing op Sheep on Plantations. By the grazing of a departmental flock on Conical Hills and Dusky Hill Plantations the firebreaks have again been kept in a thoroughly efficient state, while the sales of sheep and wool have been the principal sources of revenue received during the year. It was regrettable that the old flock had to be retained for a further season, a considerable number of the sheep being too old to withstand the severe weather experienced in early spring. Sheep which are kept on the plantations for more than one season become so familiar with the most inaccessible parts that they are exceedingly difficult to muster, and for this reason the whole flock is generally disposed of each year. Owing to the general scarcity of feed at the beginning of the year, old ewes could scarcely be given away, and there was no alternative but to return them to the plantations. The usual difficulty was experienced in obtaining the services of experienced musterers, ami the muster for the annual sale in the autumn was only a partial success, this being in a great measure due to the fact that the failure of the pasturage on the fire-breaks, as a result of the protracted spell of dry weather, had caused the sheep to penetrate farther amongst the trees than usual in search of fodder. A returned soldier with some knowledge of stock has decided to undertake the combined duties of shepherd and rabbiter during the ensuing year, and it is believed that much of the difficulty formerly experienced in the management of the flock will be eliminated. The statement given hereunder shows that the profits on the year's transactions amounted to £195 15s. Bd. Although the return is not large, it may be considered satisfactory when all the adverse factors are taken into consideration. The losses amongst old ewes were somewhat heavy; lambs which had to be sold at the beginning of the year realized poor prices, while the wool-clip was light and of rather inferior quality. Sheep and lambs sold by auction toward the latter end of the year fetched good prices, and it is anticipated that the remainder of the stock in hand will be satisfactorily disposed of. Statement of Stock Transactions. jfy £ s. d. Or. £ s. d. Balance forward at Ist April, 1919 .. 792 8 6 Sales of sheep . . .. . . 492 19 6 Purchase of sheep .. .. ■ • 15 15 0 Sales of wool, skins, &o. .. .. 154 7 2 Management expenses, mustering, dipping, Wool on hand (at valuation) .. . . 40 0 0 shearing &c. . • • ■ • ■ 92 8 6 Stock in hand (at valuation) .. .. 434 10 3 Commission on sales . . . ■ ■ • 16 17 3 Fencing .. • • • • • ■ 812 0 Balance, being profit on year's transactions 195 15 8 Total .. •• •• £1,121 16 11 Total .. .. .. £1,121 16 11 General. It is regrettable that a further postponement in the preparation of balance-sheets showing the financial position of the nurseries and plantations has been unavoidable, essential information in connection with the original valuations of the reserves not being available. The trees available for planting during the coming season number approximately 1,500,000, a fair proportion of which, however, will be required for replacing failures. New areas, aggregating 600 acres, will be planted at Balmoral, Naseby, and Greenvale Plantations. During the year several officers who have been absent with the Expeditionary Forces returned to their former stations, and the position with regard to the supervision of operations is greatly relieved. All officers deserve the thanks of the Department for the zealous and capable manner in which they have carried out their duties during the past year. Attached hereto are reports of the several stations under my charge. Tapanui Nursery, Otago. (Area, 173 acres; altitude, 500 ft.) Adverse climatic conditions have again been experienced at this station, cold wet, weather being a feature of the spring and early summer months, following which dry conditions amounting practically to a drought extended over a period of three months. The absence of warmth previous to midsummer and the want of moisture in the autumn resulted in an exceptionally short growing season, and tree-raising operations have consequently been attended by only a moderate amount of success.