C.-3

6

State Plantations established from 1890 to 1928 and Forest Service Tree-planting Objective.

The Work"Ahead. The revised afforestation programme for 1928-29 provides- for the establishment of at least 54,000 acres of new plantations and the direct seeding formation by power drilling, spot sowing, &c, of an additional 13,000 acres. It is expected that this will necessitate the employment of approximately 1,500 men per day during the winter months. In co-operation with the Customs Department, steps will be taken to issue amended regulations in respect to the importation of timber, to reduce to a minimum the possibility of the introduction of forest-insect pests by such means. This is a measure which is long overdue. Experiments to further improve planting and nursery technique are in hand, and several new machines, planting tools, &c, will be tried out in the coming season. The present fire-fighting methods and organization will be strengthened and improved as a result of the experience gained during the past year. Experimental work in connection with the destruction of pigs and deer will be continued, and it is hoped that an early solution of this problem will be found. Further research work will be undertaken by the Branch of Forest Products, with the object of ensuring a closer utilization of the log by reducing the present mill waste in conversion. A survey of the possibilities of utilizing such waste in the manufacture of by-products will also be made.

CHAPTER IL—THE STATE FOREST SERVICE. The year's afforestation programme, resulting in the establishment of approximately 35,000 acres and the maintenance and safeguarding of 134,000 acres of growing trees, has been carried out with very little increase in the permanent personnel of the Department. This has been possible only with the complete and loyal co-operation of all officers of the Service. The resignation of one of the specially-trained senior technical officers is regretfully recorded, and other resignations have unfortunately been received which will involve the loss of several responsible members of the staff whose qualifications and energies have substantial!)' contributed to the carrying-out of the Service's increasing programme and whose positions it will be difficult to fill. All these officers resigned to take better-paid appointments with private companies. The Engineer in Forest Products continues in carrying on a co-operative experiment with the Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, U.S.A., and on his return to the Dominion it is expected that valuable information and data will be available in the furtherance of forest-utiiization in New Zealand. A statistical analysis of the distribution of the staff of the Service is appended.

State Forest Service Organization. Distribution of Permanent Staff as at 31st March, 1928.

nwf Technical ! Forest Total Permanent Staff for Years ended Forest Conservation ± ®" , n^a * and Conserva- Clerical Forest i Guards 31st March, Region. nffir ,. ra ~ Special tors, j Staff. Bangers. 1 and , umceis. tor. officers. | 1 Others. \ 1928.1927. 1926.| 1925.[1924.1928.|l922.j 1921. i j • j ' " | ' j | j j j Auckland .. .. .. 1 1 j 3 4 2 11 9 8 6 616 7 8 Rotorua .. .. 2 1 3 9 5 20 | 21 23 19 20 21 20 20 Wellington .. .. .. .. 1 4 5 3 13 9 j 10 8 | 7 7 5 6 Nelson .. .. I .. .. 1 2 3 (i 6 7 | 7 ; 7 | 7 . 7 6 7 Westland .. .... . . I 2 4 7 9 8 5 (! (i 8 7 Canterbury-Otago.. .. .. .. 1 3 10 7 21 23 19 20 19 18 21 18 Southland .. .. .. .. I 2 4 .. 7 j 7 | 6 I 6 6 i 6 6 7 Central Office .. 2 1 4 ... 16 1 1 25 ' 26 j 25 ! 24 | 25 j 24 25 24 Totals .. 2-1 7 7 ! 35 40 I 18 110 111 1106 ' 95 | 96 95 99 97 I . >■*' IH BH i8i HI 11 «■>'t