C—3

400,000,000 board feet per annum will be attained. Similar improvements in forest workers' accommodation and the creation of model village communities are having the same effect of building up an efficient departmental labour force. Until numbers are adequate to overall current requirements, full effect cannot be given to the original post-war programmes of forest works more fully reported upon in previous reports, but wherever local labour supplies are good every effort possible is being made to proceed with the establishment of new exotic forests in timberless districts. CHAPTER lI.—ADMINISTRATION 13. Permanent and Temporary Staff. —Permanent, 325 (309): temporary. 225 (201); total 550 (510). The number of officers still with the Forces is now only 7, 4 of whom are with the J Force. Returned servicemen on leave without pay total 32, of whom 9 are taking full-time study courses at the Universities. The total staff figures quoted include men with the Forces and on leave without pay. Recruitment during the year was mainly through special courses for junior field officers and the usual intake of technical trainees. The competition for technical-trainee appointments is exceptionally keen, but, as in other Departments, much difficulty has been experienced in securing clerical cadets. The reorganization of the State Forest Service actually commenced during the year. A large number of transfers is involved, and recruitment of foresters is essential to meet the requirements of the service. Overseas advertisements for technical staff have been made and suitable officers are now being selected from among the applicants. 14 Military Service. —Army, 7 (15); R.N.Z.A.F., nil (5); Navy, nil (2); making a total of 7 (22). 15. Casual Staff. —Average for year, 1,513 (1,108). The number employed at 31st March, 1947, was 1,631, an increase of 332 over the number employed twelve months ago. There was a steady increase of 40 men each four-weekly period till November, after which numbers have remained constant no doubt through casual workers accepting seasonal work such as harvesting, shearing, &c. 16. Honorary Staff. —Honorary forest rangers, 260 (245). New appointments and reappointments numbering 25 were made, and there were 10 resignations or appointments expired due to effluxion of time or removal of the appointee from district. 17. Health of Staff. —Concern is still felt at the retention of older officers on the more arduous field duties. The policy of recruiting timber-measures, however, is having an appreciable effect on the position and was, in fact, an essential advance step to facilitate the general reorganization. Much difficulty is being experienced in securing increased office accommodation, which is vital for general health and efficiency. Some improvements have been effected by temporary buildings, and building extensions in two cases have been approved. 18 Safety of Employees. —Total accidents, 382 (259), made up as follows : cuts, 96 (67); strains, 96 (59); fractures, 11 (10); crushes and bruises, 95 (76); septic wounds, 37 (13); eye injuries, 20 (12); miscellaneous, 27 (20). No fatal accident occurred this year. There has, however, been an increase in the number of accidents, but this can be accounted for by the increase of employees following an expansion of activities.

19. Compensation to Employees.—

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Year. Total Payments. Total Wages. Compensation per Centum of Wages (Approximately). 1945-46 1946-47 £ 5,548 8,708 £ 349,863 497,615 £ s. d. 1 11 9 1 15 0