13

C.—3

CHAPTER lI.—THE STATE FOREST SERVICE. The total number of officers on the permanent staff of the Service at the end of the year was 95, a,s compared with 97 for the year ending 31st Msrch, 1921. The volume of business and of work accomplished daring the year was greater than at any time in the history of forestry in New Zealand, a result only possible through the smooth and harmonious working of the Forest Service machine. Loyalty and co-operation have enabled the Service to run at top speed and thus accomplish the objectives set out for the period. During the year seven officers resigned from the Service, six by reason of betterment of position, and one on account of ill health. It is gratifying to know that the officers of this Service are finding a field and outlet for their knowledge and ability in forestry work in the Dominion outside of the State activities. This turnover is remarkably low, and so far the Service has been able to cope with the resignations by the promotion of subordinate officers and probationers. Now that forest-engineering educational facilities have been established at Auckland and Canterbury University Colleges, it is hoped that an adequate supply of trained men will soon be available from these colleges. The fundamental requirement for the forest works of the Dominion is an efficient force of officers, qualified by training and experience to handle the ever-increasing business of the Service, which is now larger than that of any other forest authority in the British Empire south of the Equator. At the present time the staff of this Service by lack of technically trained personnel is very much undermanned on the production side. During the year the Rangers' Instruction Training-camp was held at Whakarewarewa, and was attended by junior officers of the Service. The results obtained by way of an increased efficiency justify the continuance of this school during the current year.

State Forest Service Organization.—Distribution of Permanent Staff as at 31st March, 1925.

CHAPTER lII.—THE STATE FORESTS. 1. CONSTITUTION OF STATE FORESTS. The total area of State forests under the management of the State Forest Service at the 31st March ; 1925, was 7,485,590 acres, a net increase of 52,409 acres during the year. The total area added by Proclamation during 1924-25 was 116,000 acres, and the areas withdrawn comprised mainly the Buller Coalfield reserves revested in the control of the Westport Harbour Board (56,000 acres), and areas required for settlement purposes and reverting to administration by the Lands Department. Of the total area of State forests at the 31st March, 1925, there were 1,758,513 acres of permanent State forest, 5,630,688 acres of provisional State forest, and 96,409 acres of " forest reserves." Comparison with figures for the 31st March, 1924, discloses that a net area of 83,669 acres was added to the permanent State forest reserves, including over 70,000 acres purchased, while 31,162 acres (net) were withdrawn from provisional or temporary reservation. This shows marked progress during the year in regard to the policy of permanent dedication of suitable areas for legitimate forestry purposes. Details of areas appear in Annexure I. Forest Reconnaissance ; Land Classification, Demarcation, and Survey. Reconnaissance surveys of 40,000 acres in the Okarito district, Westland, and of 11,000 acres, mainly in the central Main Trunk district, were completed during the year. Further reconnaissance, principally in the Port Craig district, Southland, and in other regions, for the purpose of classifying land and timber types and estimating commercial- and protection-forest values was .also made. 18,104 acres of forested land in the North Auckland Land District were classified, and field-work in connection with the classification and demarcation of 79,032 acres of provisional State forest included in pantoral runs in the Otago Land District and oi 2,083,231 acres of provisional State forest and other State-owned land in the Westland Land District was finalized in conjunction with officers of the Department of Lands and Survey.

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