7

c.—3.

TABLE 5. Statement showing Area Established, Area Maintained, Net Cost of Afforestation, and Comparative Cost of Establishment Per Acre.

For this purpose it has been assumed that the average cost of establishing 1 acre in trees is equivalent to the maintenance of 6 acres or the direct seeding of 3i acres. These costs do not include the value or cost of the land, or depreciation on capital expenditure prior to 1922. Such a costing unit is an arbitrary one, and of value only for comparative and average costing purposes. Costs of establishment and maintenance vary considerably by reason of climatic, locality, and other factors, but the above accumulated costs are allocated to each project, and appear annually in the summary of plantation operations, published as a part of parliamentary paper 8.-I [Part IV]. However, these costs demonstrate that large-scale planting, combined with economy in administration and the judicious use of machinery, has ensured a gradual reduction in the net cost of establishment per acre. 4. Wild Life. As the Service aims at effective control of the terrestrial wild animals within State forests, and its primary responsibility is the conservation and perpetuation of the indigenous forests, together with the establishment of exotic forests where financial and climatic reasons demand it, its present fundamental concern is the control or extermination of certain pests which have been introduced either by way of acclimatization or by domestic species which have become feral. This is vital to the conservation and protection of the forests and their indigenous inhabitants. It is clear that the water-flow from forested lands is being appreciably affected in many localities owing to these and other agents, which unnecessarily disturb Nature's balance. It is also clear, and has been stressed by many interests other than those of forestry, that much land is being ruined by overgrazing by wild animals, and the consequent erosion of steep and unstable mountain-sides. Thirdly — and this is the prime motive actuating the Service —it is indisputable that our forests are supporting an alien fauna, whose excessive numbers are reflected in an unhealthy condition of the indigenous forests and, in many districts, in a potentially [unhealthy condition and an unnecessarily high establishment cost of exotic plantations. In some few districts the presence of this alien fauna renders futile any attempt at afforestation ; and, unfortunately, all too often these districts are the ones which would benefit most from judicious planting. Many contingent factors, however, must be considered, the chief being the question of safeguarding those rights which have become vested and must therefore be respected. The Forest Service, of course, confines its activities to the areas within its jurisdiction, and outside these] areas it relies upon public sympathy and the co-operation of those societies formed for the safeguarding of kindred objectives. The following is a brief outline of the activities during the year. Opossums. During the past year an open season for the taking of opossums was declared throughout New Zealand. The condition of the skins and the reduction of numbers from certain areas point, however, to the advisability of observing close seasons, particularly in many of the southern, localities. Trapping out of season was prevalent, particularly in the Wellington District, in which approximately 50 per cent, of the opossums are caught, and in which the State forests have such easy main-road access. The use of cyanide of potassium for the destruction of opossums is prevalent and widespread, and cannot be too strongly condemned. Detection and proof of the offence are very difficult, and, moreover, this poison causes destruction not only of opossums, but of bird-life also. It is therefore urged that heavy penalties be imposed upon those convicted of using the poison, which is, unfortunately, comparatively easy to procure in many localities. During the year a rigorous patrol of State forests was maintained, and in consequence twelve convictions for illegal trapping, &c., were secured. Fines totalled £106, and the number of skins confiscated was 624, representing a sale value of £332 lis. sd. Although the recorded number of opossums caught throughout New Zealand shows a slight increase, it is believed that the animals have actually decreased, but that more skins are being forwarded for sale through legitimate trading channels owing to more efficient field supervision.

Tear New Areas Direct Area main- Direct ° s T^ a ' Mid on Total Cost from Sates Net Cost Cost per year - established. Seeding. tained. Cost. ™ ' ! Trees &c Acre - 1 I 1 ' I Acres. Acres. Acres. £ £ £ £, £ £ £ s. d. 1922-23 .. 2,800 .. 41,400 30,800 8,600 22,000 61,400 7,400 54,000 5 12 2 1923-24 .. 7,300 .. 44,200 37,300 9,300 18,200 64,800 8,200 56,600 3 17 7 1924-25 .. 10,600 .. 51,500 50,200 9,000 17,400 76,600 .11,300 65,300 3 8 4 1925-26 .. 16,000 .. 62,100 63,900 11,100 21,000 96,000 13,500 82,500 3 2 10 1926-27 .. 20,300 1,300 78,100 80,700 17,100 24,500 122,300 14,500 107,800 3 4 1 1927-28 .. 34,300 2,400 99,700 110,800 22,000 33,800 166,600 11,500 155,100 3 0 2 1928-29 .. 57,400 3,300 136,400 155,400 23,200 44,200 222,800 12,500 210,300 2 1111 Total for 148,700 7,000 513,400 529,100 100,300 181,100 810,500 78,900 731,600 3 2 0 seven years