C.—3.

Wellington Region. Most species in Karioi Plantation are making good growth., particularly P. murrayana, P. ponderosa, and P. laricio ; Pseudotsuga taxifolia, after four or five years of apparent stagnation, is also beginning to make headway. The fire hazard was not so acute as in some years past, and the few fires started by sparks from railway locomotives were put out before the firebreaks were crossed. One fire-patrolman was employed during the danger season, and for further protection fire-boxes to house fire-fighting tools and telephones were built at intervals along the railway frontage. Maintenance-work, such as repairs to roads, bridges, &c., and renovating and repainting cookhouse, motor-shed, and four whares was attended to. A new cottage for a workman was built in compartment 7 near Karioi Railway-station. Destructive animals destroyed included 504 hares and rabbits, twelve head of deer, and one of wild cattle. From the nursery 64,500 trees were lifted and used in the plantation, 700 poplar cuttings of seven varieties were set out, and 118,400 trees were lined out. Seed sown was, in protected seed-beds, 69 lb., line-sown 46 lb. The number of seedlings obtained was 335,000. Owing to the ravages of birds, the line-sowing was a complete failure, despite the use of poisoned wheat. At the close of the year tree stocks in the nursery were estimated to total 523,800, the main species being P. laricio, P. murrayana, and P. ponderosa. At Erua a further area of 224 acres was planted ; the main species used was Thuja plicata, with a small number of Tsuga heterophylla. Swamps in the tussock country were drained by digging 46 chains of drains and 220 chains of new road formation were completed. Nelson Region. At Golden Downs a new area of 47 acres was planted, which brings the net planted area to 19,292 acres. In compartment 13, 73J acres of P. radiata trees established in 1927 were pruned to a height of 7| ft. These trees average 30 ft. in height and 8 in. d.b.h. Two types of pruning saw were used. Species surveys covering 7,234 acres were carried out. Cleaning was necessary to free trees from blackberry, bracken, &c., and 1,739 acres of plantation were silviculturally treated in this way; the total area cleaned to date is 3,900 acres. The most dangerous sections of the external firebreaks were reconditioned as a fire-protection measure, the distance being 6,700 chains. In the three nurseries 1,484,000 trees were lifted, 897,000 being utilized for planting and the remainder (587,000) being lined out; 410 lb. of seeds were sown, yielding approximately 2,185,000 seedlings. At the close of the year the trees two years and over in the nurseries were estimated to total 1,812,000. The rainfall was 63-4 in., the greatest for seven years, and, being fairly well distributed over the year, was beneficial to tree-growth, with the exception of two abnormally heavy falls in August and February (4- in. and 7 in. respectively) which caused serious flooding and some damage to roads, bridges, and planted areas. Westland Region. In common with other districts the wet fire season on the West Coast reduced the fire danger very considerably and no damage was done, but nevertheless a strict patrol of the plantation was necessary as certain danger periods did occur. The principal year's work was tree cleaning, and 876 acres of Thuja plicata, 1931 planting, were cleaned by removing the overhead branches as much as possible. This treatment will assist materially in increasing tree-growth. General maintenance-work consisted of repairs to fences and telephone-lines, renovations to buildings in the nursery, cleaning out drains, &c. Canterbury Region. Small areas were planted at Hanmer, Balmoral, and Eyrewell, mainly firebreaks not required» and at Hanmer a block to round out the northern boundary. Approximately 300,000 trees were usedExcellent tree-growth due to the unusually wet summer is reported from all plantations. Tree-pruning was carried out at all three plantations. At Hanmer pruning on an area of 126 acres was done to a height of from 16 ft. to 20 ft. to obtain good-quality timber, final crop trees being selected. Pole saws were used in this operation. At Balmoral and Eyrewell the work was confined to an average height of 6 ft., and 650 acres and 610 acres respectively were dealt with. Sample plots were established to ascertain the effect of green pruning upon young trees. At HaUmer approximately 310 acres were thinned, and the produce removed comprised 1,798 cords firewood, 1,082 posts, 20 poles, and 2,114 rails. From similar work over an area of 29 acres at Balmoral 361 cords of firewood were obtained. Southland Region. Thinning was continued at Dusky Plantation and a quantity of 94,632 cublic feet was obtained. Underscrubbing and thinning were also undertaken at Conical Hills (293 acres), Parkhill Block (Dusky) (304 acres), and Naseby (448 acres). In addition to the quantity of 93,053 cubic feet sold to Waitane Sawmilling Co., Ltd., other sales of forest produce were 103 cords firewood, 2,000 poles, 6,700 netting stakes, 4,244 posts, and 83 radio masts. Green pruning was extensively practised at Blue Mountains Plantation, and 538 acres of ten-year-old P. radiata were treated. An appreciative reduction in the cost of this work as compared with the previous year was reported, due to improved technique, despite the shorter hours worked and higher wages paid. The usual maintenance-work in the plantations was kept well up to date.

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