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Maori-owned Forests 14. Incorporations.—Several groups of Maori owners have in recent years formed incorporated bodies for the purpose of exploiting the timber on their forest lands. There are now 18 such incorporations, and their operations were extended during the past year so that the quantity of timber coming on to the market from this source is considerable. Some incorporations are carrying on logging operations only, selling mainly to local sawmillers, but also sending logs to sawmills and veneer factories in and around Auckland; other incorporations have successfully engaged in sawmilling and the distribution of sawn timber as well as logging. 15. Forest Management. —Although a number of the more far-sighted Maori elders have shown a desire for the management of permanent communal forests on tribal forest lands, the indifference of other owners or their satisfaction with the current financial returns have so far prevailed against any suggestions for the introduction of proper forest-management in Maori-owned forests. The advantages to Maoris in employment as well as money from a long-term investment yielding steady returns, in contrast to a large, single, monetary return from timber-sales were mentioned in last year's report. 16. Sale of Maori-owned Forest.—The consent of the Minister of Forests, who may with the concurrence of the Minister of Maori Affairs refuse or impose conditions, is required before the right to cut or to remove trees is granted by the Maori Land Court or a Maori Land Board ; and at the request of Maori Land Boards the Forest Service has appraised and valued standing timber in connection with proposals to grant cutting rights. During the year 19 appraisals covering 36,960,000 board feet of indigenous milling timber were completed. CHAPTER Y —DEVELOPMENT DIVISION: TRAINING AND RESEARCH Inspector in Charge : Mr. T. T. C. Birch Recruitment 1. Professional Staff. —Only 3 professional officers were recruited from beyond New Zealand during the year ; one New Zealand ex-serviceman bursar returned with a forestry degree to rejoin the Service. The 35 University-trained foresters at present employed represent less than 5 per cent, of the permanent staff of the Service, which is still far below the minimum establishment. Preliminary steps have been taken this year to supplement recruitment of trained New Zealanders by the careful selection of a further small group of British ex-servicemen forestry graduates. 2. Clerical Staff. —The drive for recruitment of junior clerical staff was maintained and, except in the City of Wellington, considerable success was achieved by the appointment of 18 cadets and 47 juniors to Class VI. Unfortunately, the standard of applicants was not high, and the appointments were not as selective as they would have been during normal times. This factor has contributed in no small measure to the staff turnover, the over-all loss of cadets alone being 9 for the year, including 1 of the new recruits and 8 from earlier appointments. 3. Field Staff. —The long-term policy of recruiting annually a group of young men keen to take up a forestry career was continued, and 16 technical trainees were appointed from 44 applicants. The number selected is lower than the previous year (21), partly because of a2O per cent, smaller number of applicants than in 1948. The purpose of this recruitment scheme, however, continues to be the maintenance of a high standard rather than adherence to a fixed quota of appointments.

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