C—IB

1907. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS: STATE NURSERIES AND PLANTATIONS (REPORT ON).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency the Governor.

Sir, — Department of Lands, Wellington, 11th June, 1907. I have the honour to submit herewith report on that portion of the State Forests Branch of the Department which relates to the nurseries and plantations under the control of the Chief Forester, and provides for the afforestation of Crown lands in treeless localities. In doing so, I would briefly mention the fact that 6,810 acres have now been planted with 15,309,823 trees, and as this branch of the Department was only constituted in 1896, and the sole source of revenue from which to defray the expenses of afforestation is the sale of timber in State forests, the result must be regarded as highly satisfactory under the circumstances. In addition, no less than twenty-two million trees were also grown in the nurseries, and of these nearly fifteen million are available for planting out in future seasons. I have, &c, William C. Kensington, The Hon. Robert McNab, Minister of Lands. Under-Secretary for Lands. REPORT BY CHIEF FORESTER, To the Under-Secretary for Lands. In submitting the eleventh annual report, for the year ending the 31st March, 1907, I regret that the operations carried on in the South Island have not been attended with the success heretofore attained. This has been entirely due to the unprecedented dry season experienced at all South Island stations. In the North Island the usual success has been maintained, although a small percentage of loss occurred owing to exceptionally heavy rainfall during January. Reference to the table of rainfall shows that over 69 in. of rain fell at Rotorua, and nearly 74 in. at Ruatangata, while no less than 92 in. was recorded at Puhipuhi. The average for four North Island stations was 73 - 38 in., and in the South Island the average rainfall at the five nurseries was only 22"74 in., the lowest records being registered at Eweburn and Kurow with 13 - 38 in. and 1397 in. respectively. As the success attending the work of this branch of the Lands Department is in a great measure dependent on climatic conditions, the general result of the year's operations may be considered satisfactory, and I have to express my obligation to the staff generally for their strict attention to duties, interest, and enthusiasm displayed. To the Inspector of Prisons and his staff (with whom we are so closely associated) our best thanks are due for the continued satisfactory results attending the employment of prison labour at the four plantations. The value of the work done during the year by prison labour is £5,173 Is. 9d., equal to £60 10s. 7d. per man, the average number employed being 78 - 90. During 1905-6 3,254,778 trees were planted permanently on a total area of 1,435J acres, while the past year's planting totals 5,209,228 trees, covering 1,992£ acres. The total number of trees raised to date is 37,436,317, of which 14,849,830 are in nurseries and 15,309,823 planted permanently in twenty-three plantations, occupying a total area of 6,810 acres. Although, it is stated that 37,436,317 trees have been raised, yet as only 30,159,653 remain in the nurseries and plantations, a brief explanation as to the discrepancy is required. A la-ge number of young trees have died whilst in the seed-beds through various causes, such as drought, frost, depredation o1 insects, &c.; a certain proportion died during the operation of transplanting from nurseries to plantations; fire has also occasioned large losses, the recent disastrous outbreak at Dusky Hill alone accounting for 1,202,551 trees; whilst a great number have been used for shelter and ornamental purposes, and to act as fire-breaks in the plantations, &c, and are not reckoned in the total number available. In addition, various Government Departments and a few local bodies have from time to time been supplied with young trees for planting on their grounds, when such could be spared from the surplus stock on hand; and in several other ways plants that have actually been raised are excluded from the totals given as remaining in the nurseries and plantations.

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