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The total number of professional officers in tlie Forest Service now stands at 66, of whom 33 hold University degrees in forestry. The balance are science graduates preparing for higher forestry education, qualified engineers, or specialists in other fields. (2) Clerical Staff. —The lack of clerical cadets offering during recent years has created a serious shortage in the junior ranks, and a concentrated effort was made during the year to recruit suitable young men from the rural areas. Recruitment from all sources resulted in the appointment of 26 cadets to the Service. Details of all staff appointments during the year are given in Chapter IX. (3) Field Staff. —The usual recruitment of technical trainees was this year preceded by advertisement in rural newspapers and by radio. The number of applicants was not as great as usual; but their quality, as evidenced by higher educational qualifications, was better, and enabled, the Selection Committee to raise the standard. Twenty-one applicants were finally accepted, a small percentage of these being ex-servicemen. It is expected that next year will bring very few applications from this group, so that the emphasis from now on will be on the recruitment of youths who have a good rural background plus satisfactory educational qualifications. A special recruiting drive to engage workmen suitable for training as skilled forest workmen and leading hands was undertaken during the spring months, and trainingcamps were established in all coßservajqcies. The response was disappointing, and the quality of the labour offering generally below the required standard. However, likely recruits still coming forward are selected for training, and if, after a period, they prove suitable for advancement, they will be nominated for courses at the training centre. Labour recruitment for exotic forests in recent years clearly indicates that more married accommodation is necessary to attract the more stable and mature type of workman. There is no doubt that, were houses available, many excellent workers would gladly move their families to the country districts, where living-costs are lower. Forestry Education The Forest Service has persevered during the year in its endeavours to secure the establishment of a professional School of Forestry within New Zealand, and in doing so has not deviated from the firm conviction that such an institution is justified only if it provides the highest standard of professional training. Nevertheless, whatever be the outcome concerning a School of Forestry in New Zealand, the Forest Service cannot afford to neglect the training of suitable men for its future professional staff. Hence the continuation of facilities for selected technical trainees to attend the University and graduate B.Sc. as a preliminary to higher forestry education. During the year 1 graduate commenced the study of forestry at the Imperial Forestry Institute, Oxford, and 3 at the Australian Forestry School at Canberra. * A further 11 trainees completed their B.Sc. course in New Zealand during the year. The presence of Dr. H. H. Chapman (Emeritus Professor, Yale University, United States of America) in New Zealand during the year was a good opportunity for this Service to seek the views of a recognized world authority on forestry education. It was learnt that Dr. Chapman not only approves of the principle of a science degree prerequisite to a forestry course, but also suggests specifically that the University of New Zealand should provide a four-year basic science course, followed by a two-year Master's degree course in forestry—-not in a University centre, but " at the most serviceable centre of forestry activity." This independent expression of opinion is of the utmost significance, in that it advocates an even higher standard of forestry education than that sought by the Forest Service since 1946. The Forest Service adheres to the conviction that Rotorua is the only logical centre for a national Forestry School not only because of the advantage of association with the Research Institute there, but also because of Rotorua's geographical position as the focal point of the Dominion's major forestry activities.

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