0.—3.

10. Recreational Use of the Forests. The indigenous forests continue to operate as a source of recreation to increasing numbers of students, trampers, campers, and hunters. At the same time it is very gratifying to record a decrease in acts of vandalism, such as careless lighting of fires, damage of native vegetation, destruction of birdlife, &c. It would appear, therefore, that the public as a whole is realizing its sense of ownership of the State forests and responsibilities which such ownership demands. During recent years numerous tramping clubs have been formed, which are devoting a great portion of their members' holidays and week-ends to healthful exploration, generally under experienced leaders. As they travel without dog or gun, and as forest protection and Native bird preservation are usually conditions of membership, the Service endeavours to meet their convenience on all possible occasions. 11. Publications. Forest Atlas. Mine atlas maps were completed and were recorded during this period, together with 125 general plans under the permanent Forest Atlas. The nine atlas maps show an area of 132,793 acres, and make a total of seventy-eight maps completed up to date, covering an area of 1,060,153 acres of State forests and plantations, which represents the permanent demarcation of 14-1 per cent, of the total area controlled by the Service. Topographical maps which are incidental to the systematic layout of fire-breaks, planting blocks and compartments, have been prepared for portions of Riverhead, Maramarua, Kaingaroa, Blue Mountains, and Naseby Plantations, and maps of the species subsequently planted are under preparation. Ten maps of State forests have been certified by the Surveyor-Genera], as required by section 25 of the Forests Act, 1921-22. Five atlas sheets were lithographed, from which 1,000 sheets were printed, and 1,977 compiled plans, tracings, graphs, &c., were prepared. Applications from the public for the inspection of maps of the Forest Atlas record and for data are regularly received, and the value of the information which is readily available with respect to forests, &c., is apparent from the increased number of inquiries received during the year. Photographic Record. The total juimber of negatives now recorded is 7,750, of which 1,469 were added this year, while 6,471 prints, fifteen lantern-slides, and eighteen enlargements were prepared. A keen demand has been experienced from private individuals and companies both here and abroad, and overseas Government Departments, for photographs of forests, plantations, &c., and prints have been supplied as required. Educational Publications and other Literature 'printed during the Year. 2,000 copies " Trees of New Zealand." 2,000 copies Circular No. 25: "Farm Shelter." 1,000 copies "Forests and Forestry in New Zealand." 500 copies Leaflet No. 10 : " Taxation on Land." 500 copies Leaflet No. 7/28: " Commercial Forestation." 200 copies Leaflet No. 7a : " Commercial Forestation." 12. Reference Library. The thanks of the Service are due to Mr. L. Macintosh Ellis, late Director of Forestry, for a donation of approximately 150 publications, comprising reports, pamphlets, books, &c., made on the eve of his retirement, which have been classified and catalogued as a part of the library. New publications and pamphlets, &c., acquired during the year totalled 500, representing the latest contribution to modern forestry literature. A complete catalogue of the library has been prepared and distributed to all regions, thus bringing field officers into direct contact with all available forestry literature. This catalogue is arranged in order of classification, and is known as a classed catalogue, which is the generally accepted form for technical libraries, as it brings all the books on a subject together, with subdivisions or extensions following. The classification system followed for forestry subjects is that prepared by the Society of American Foresters, which has since been adopted for the Dewey decimal classification, or D.C., as it is generally known. CHAPTER lI.—ADMINISTRATION AND FIELD ORGANIZATION. 1. Staff. From the viewpoint of staff organization the year has presented many problems and difficulties, and, although these have been or are being rapidly overcome, they have thrown a heavy burden and responsibility upon many sections of the personnel. Important changes amongst senior officers of the staff as outlined hereunder, together with the extended afforestation programme and policy of absorbing the greatest possible number of seasonal employees during the winter period, have been the principal contributing factors to this condition of affairs.

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