7

C—3

Comparison of Total, Employees.

Unemployment. It has long been recognized both, in England and on the Continent that tree-planting is an occupation peculiarly adapted for the absorption of seasonal unemployed labour. Planting methods are easily learnt by any one of average intelligence, and as the planting season extends over the winter months, when unemployment is usually al its height, this activity provides an outlet for the use of unskilled labour in an out-of-door healthy but, rigorous employment, which is not mere " relief work," but must ultimately prove of great national value. Last year approximately eight hundred men were given work of this nature, and plans have been completed for the employment this season of at least twelve hundred workers on productive forestry, in addition to the semi-permanent standing personnel. CHAPTER 111. THE STATE FORESTS. 1. General. Summary of Areas under Control. The total area of State forests, provisional State forests, &c, under the Service control at the end of the fiscal year was 7,708,489 acres, a year's net increase of 81,645 acres as compared with the previous year's figures. In other words, 11 66 of the superficial area of the Dominion is now dedicated, under the Forests Act. Several extensive bush-clad areas of partly merchantable and partly protection forest have not yet been proclaimed under the Forests Act, but it is anticipated that success in this direction will be attained in the near future. Negotiations in progress at the end of the year resulted in the acquisition ol' substantial areas of land for forestation purposes, and figures in regard to these will appear in next year's statement. For detailed figures the reader is referred to Appendix I of this report. Legislation. The only legislation relating to forestry enacted during the year under review is contained in the Wellington City and Suburban Water-supply Act, 1927, and section 28 of the Finance''Act,* 1927 (No. 2). By the Wellington City and Suburban Water-supply Act, 1927, a total area of 67,165' acres of laud (including 63,578 acres of State forest) was vested in the Wellington City Council for water-supply, forestry, recreation, and other purposes, and is now administered by the Wellington City and Suburban Water-supply Board established under the same Act. Section 28 of the Finance Act, 1927 (No. 2), authorized every County Council to make, in each financial year, a levy, not exceeding Id. per 100 ft. board measure, on sawn timber converted from native trees within the county that have not been planted. Forest Reconnaissance, Demarcation, and Survey. It is recognized that the permanent management, of our forests cannot be undertaken without a detailed stocktaking or inventory of the forest, assets, and this important branch of Service activity has been pushed steadily forward. In Auckland region a further investigation made of the proposed access from the Main Trunk line to the timbered areas in East Taupo County showed that such access was possible by reasonable grades and at reasonable cost. An extensive reconnaissance of the forested lands in West Taupo County that have not yet been fully explored was contemplated, but had to be postponed owing to the demands of more urgent work. Topographical surveys of about 6,220 acres and 3,250 acres required for afforestation at Riverhead and Maramarua respectively were completed, in addition to 2,900 acres of milling-bush. In Rotorua region 44,000 acres of plantation survey and 36,000 acres of topographical survey were completed, besides 415 miles of lire-break side-line demarcation and road-lines. Reconnaissance surveys of .1.1,000 acres of provisional State-forest areas were also accomplished. Extensive topographical and layout surveys were done at Karioi Plantation, Wellington region, as a preliminary to the new year's planting, the total area in this respect being nearly 11,000 acres. Approximately 3.360 acres of Native land and State forest were also subjected to reconnaissance surveys. The high beech country surrounding the headwaters of the Clarence and Waiati Rivers, North Canterbury, was explored, and, as this bush is mainly protection forest of great value for the regulation ol' stream-flow and prevention of erosion, it is desirable to have it dedicated under the Forests Act.

Year. 1921. 1822. 1923. 1924. 1925. 1920. 1927. 11128. Permanent staff Temporary officers Labourers* Total 97 99 95 .. ! 8 10 15 ..l 168 181 244 .. [ 273 290 354 96 23 280 95 24 368 ! 106 28 483 Ill 31 764 110 34 1,400-f 399 487 617 906 1,544 I I * As at September in each year. t Forecast.