C.—3

14

A survey oi 33,855 acres, comprising the Waiotapu Plantation, Kaingaroa Plantation extension, and the residue of Reporoa Settlement acquired for plantation purposes, together with all internal and access roads, was completed and plans prepared and approved by the Chief Surveyor. A survey of the Westland experimental area of approximately 8,000 acres is now in progress. Co-operation in Timber-stumpage Examination, and Reports for other Departments. The Service has again extended its facilities during the year for timber-land examination and forestry generally to other Government Departments, local bodies, and Native Land Boards. In all, thirty-two examinations, comprising 51,724 acres of land, have been examined on their account. 2. FINANCE. The year just closed again records a new peak in forest receipts. The total income from all sources was £161,468, of which sum the nurseries and plantations yielded £11,290. The total increase in receipts was 72 per cent, over the previous year, and 154 per cent, over the year 1922-23. The State Forest Service expenditure for the year was as follows : —

State Forest Service Expenditure.

During the year the sum of £12,611 lis. 7d. was paid to the National Endowment Account, being the amount due to that account at the 31st March, 1924, under section 39 of the Forests Act, 1921-22.

Diagram showing the Apportionment of each £1 of The Service Expenditure for the Fiscal Year ended the 31st March, 1925.

Comparison of the Forest Income and Expenditures for the Period 1920-25.

Fiscal Year ended Item. ; 31st March, 31st March, 31st March, 1925. 1924. 1923. £ £ £ A. Salaries 31,429 30,686 30,092 B. Management and development of State forests .. .. 17,618 16,271 13,799 C. Forest-fire prevention and patrol (indigenous forest) .. 1,557 1,977 1,808 D. Education: Reference library, publications, &c. . . 927 582 574 E. Forest research and products investigations .. .. 4,589 3,738 2,224 F. Afforestation: Plantations, nurseries, and general .. 51,854 38,006 35,155 G. Acquisition of indigenous forests .. .. .. 106,067* 4,548 1,064 H. Grants to local bodies, &c. .. .. .. .. 257 2,496 694 214,298 98,304 85,410 * Includes £100,000 transferred to the Land for Settlements Account for the acquisition as a State Forest of part Selwyn Settlement Estate, Mamaku Plateau.