67

C—lb

Naseby Plantation. (Area, 1,350 acres ; altitude, 2,300 ft.) During the year the removal of the fence from the commonage-site has been carried out. and an area of I.'200 acres been acquired from Run 219c, Naseby, and on which the fencing has been erected. In order to facilitate the work, as the season was advancing, only a small portion was fenced, bin the whole area is al present being enclosed in readiness for the coming spring. Owing to there being bo much haulage and dismantling, &c, of fencing materia], the average coe1 of maintenance has been greatly increased, and is therefore hardly a fair average. During liisi season 156.075 trees wen , transferred to Naseby Commonage site, and of these. 31,240 still remain in the trenches. Some 05.925 were used on the commonage-area, which was eventually abandoned, and the remainder, having died in the trenches, should not be put down as failure? on the new or old area. The remaining trees could not be removed owing to the lateness of the season, but will be transferred during the incoming spring. Thej - e were 326,300 trees removed to the new area from the nursery, and I am sorry to have to report that of these 24.550 had to be thrown out as they died in the trenches. These were some of the first trees lifted and bundled in order to be sent to Conical Hills Plantation. Inii were retained here as the Government acquired the extension property later, and. consequently, the trees remained too long in the bundles before being planted out. Pitting was commenced in July, but as the ground was too hard owing to the frost, good progress could not be made at first, but during the months of September and October better progress was made. The spot ie an ideal one for trees, but, owing to the turfy nature of the ground, it requires to be all pitted before the winter, in order to pulverize the soil ; and this is being done for the reception of the trees during the coming spring. Trees planted out are doing very well, and Erom nil appearances the percentage i>1 deaths will be very small, the larch especially having done exceedingly well. The trees on the old site are making excellent growth, and a plan of the urea subdivided into blocks has been compiled. The number of trees planted on the new area is 301,760, at an average cost of I Is. 8d. per thousand. The total number planted to date in the old and extension area is 682.204. Some 360,750 grubber pits were made, at an average cost of 10s. 9d. per thousand, and of these 59,000 remain open for the trees during the next spring. The expenditure for the year is £867 8s. 10d.. and the expenditure to date is £3,644 17s. lid. A hut was erected during the year by the employees, and another removed from Gimmerburn. Two tents on frames were also erected on the ground. The average number of men employed was 5-5, day-labour. During the incoming year a thermometer and rain-gauge are to be installed at this station. Details of accounts are appended. Schedule II.—Statement of Expenditure. For Year. To Date. Planting operations and maintenance — t s . d. t s. d. Tree-planting .. .. .. .. 191 5 5 696 5 11 Pitting .. .. .. .. .. 193 18 4 764 10 3 Clearing .. .. .. .. .. .. 20 17 10 Cartage of trees .. .. .. 21 4 0 92 1 9 General upkeep of plantation .. . . 203 10 3 928 19 3 General repairs .. .. .. .. 7 18 6 7 18 6 Horse-feed .. .. .. .. 164 10 0 Permanent works— Fencing .. .. .. .. .. 112 l<) 1 480 2 >> Formation . . .. .. . . . . 5 0 0 Buildings .. .. .. .. .. 47 2 3 86 0 0 Stock, implements, &c. —Tools, implements .. .. 1 12 (> Supervision and clerical — Salaries — Supervision of free labour .. .. (50 0 0 248 10 II Nurseryman's proportion of clerical* assistance .. .. .. 30 0 0 149 8 :i £867 8 10 £3,644 17 11 Schedule Til. — Trees Account. Number Trees received during the year .. .. .. .. .. 326,300 Less to replace blanks .. .. . . .. .. 24.550 Planted on new area .. .. .. .. . . .. 301,750 Previously planted .. .. .. .. . ■ ■ • 380,454 Total number planted on 260 acres (average age. five years) . . 682.201 10—C. Iβ.