C—3

During the year, working plans for Whirinaki, Skyline, Pukepoto, Murupara, and Naseby Forests were compiled, and the first revision of the plan for Hanmer Forest is now ready for approval. In addition, work was commenced on the preparation of working plans for Pouakani, Pureora, Tararua, Mount Robertson, Herekino, Raepahu, Wharepuhunga, Okahukura, and Mangaokewa Forests (indigenous) and Gwavas and Pebbly Hills Forests (exotic). Considerable progress was made in assessment of growing stock in exotic forests. Field-work covering roughly 500,000 acres in all was completed during the year, and office computation of this work is now in progress. Volume tables were again used extensively to calculate quantities, but for some areas data from sample-tree measurements were used. Timbeb Sales (1) State Forest Block Sales and Permits. —Details of indigenous timber sold during the year for removal from State forests, exclusive of log sales, are given below for the past three years :

Method of sale was as follows : Bd. ft. (1) By appraised quantities .. .. .. 127,714,000 (2) By log scaling .. .. .. .. 5,745,000 (3) By mill output .. .. .. .. 17,422,000 The last item was chiefly under Wardens' licences. In addition, exotic timber to the extent of 1,918,000 board feet valued at £6,300 was sold and removed from State forests during the year. The greater proportion of this represented sales of wind-thrown timber to a licensee operating in Balmoral State Forest, who finally abandoned operations in March, 1949. The failure of the licensee to fulfil commitments in this area has already resulted in the loss of a large area of the wind-thrown timber, but the Forest Service will salvage as much as possible of the timber which remains exploitable. Minor indigenous forest produce sold under permit was valued at £14,800, and exotic forest produce sold under permit was valued at £4OO. (2) Outturn from State Forests. —The quantity of milling timber removed under log sale agreement, licence, and permit from State forests totalled 180,198,000 board feet.-

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Species. 1948-49. 1947-48. 1946-47. Rimu and miro Matai Totara Kahikatea Tawa Beech spp. Others Bd. ft. 112,056,000 11,374,000 5,483,000 4,956,000 5,509,000 9,402,000 2,101,000 Bd. ft. 86,514,000 10,820,000 4,780,000 7,728,000 5,650,000 10,'973,000 1,271,000 Bd. ft. 84,615,000 6,910,000 5,154,000 8,461,000 2,088,000 1,910,000 803,000 Total quantity 150,881,000 127,736,000 109,941,000 Total value £264,200 £194,900 £190,200.