C—lβ

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proof of the continued utility of such labour for afforestation work. In addition to the prison labour a number of free men have been employed, jn'incipallv to attend to work situated at a longdistance from the prison camp, which could not be economically performed by prisoners. Plantation-extension on Kamgaroa Plains. —The work done in connection with the formation of a prison camp on the Kaingaroa Plains is now almost completed. Plans of the buildings were prepared last winter; and in September last a start was made to erect the largest building, which comprises a large kitchen, officers' mess-room, store-room, cooks' bedroom, office, and a bedroom. A workshop was also erected, and a four-roomed cottage for the accommodation of officers is now ;ill but completed. The water for use at the camp is being got half a mile distant, and conveyed to the camp by means of a powerful pump and oil-engine. This work is now well under way, and will be completed at an early date. An area of 2£ acres has been reserved for a kitchen-garden, and this has been well tilled and partly stocked with vegetables. For grazing purposes, 50 acres adjoining the enclosure where the camp is being formed was fenced and sown down with a mixture of cocksfoot and red-top grasses last spring. This paddock has made splendid progress, considering the soil and the climatic conditions of the locality, and should prove of great service for grazing sheep for use at the prison camp. The work has been performed partly by free and partly by prison labour. A capable carpenter was engaged to take charge of the erection of the buildings, and he has been assisted by several handy prisoners, who, besides helping with the actual carpentering-work, have done all the plumbing and painting. Most of the preparatory work in connection with the water-supply has been carried out by prisoners under the supervision of Warders McPherson and Page, who have taken a live interest in the work, which contributed in no small measure towards making it a success. Telephonic communication has been established with the new camp by erecting three miles of line, and uniting it with the line connecting Rotorua and Murupara. Survey-work. —ln November last a start was made to lay off the necessary roads and fire-breaks, and this work is proceeding in a satisfactory manner. Several angles have been done away with on the public road to Galatea, and a new road is partly formed. Details of the expenditure for the year, &c, are attached hereto. The following is a record of the temperature and rainfall for the year : —

Schedule I.

Schedule ll. — Statement of Expenditure. For Year. To Date. Planting operations and maintenance — £ s . <i. £ s. d. Tree-planting.. .. .. .. 128 4 I 606 12 II Pitting .. .. -.. 236 19 0 602 12 3 Clearing .. .. .. 131 3 0 106 10 6 Cartage of trees .. .. 12 7 0 572 5 2 General upkeep of plantation .. 190 15 0 1.179 0 7 General repairs .. .. .. 52 7 7 199 12 I Horse-feed .. .. .. .. 152 17 3 820 13 0 Permanent works— Fencme .. .. .. .. 52 3 10 1.746 17 3 Formation .. .. . . .. 466 14 I 050 711 Buildings .. 939 3 4 1,844 15 5 Stock, implements. &c.—Tools, implements 128 4 3 862 3 10 Supervision and clerical— Salaries — Supervision of free labour .. .. 220 0 o ~ prison labour .. 310 0 0 .>-,,.,., tvt _t- t j > 3,104 ■) o Nurseryman s proportion 01, and clerical assistance .. .. 150 0 0J £3,201 0 11 £13.085 12 s

Mouth. Rainfall. Number of Days Rain fell. Tempera t Maximum. ture. Minimum. Number of Days Froets oocurred. 1911. In. 7-33 4-67 3-91 1-12 2-78 3-86 3-37 4-75 5-46 I.-} 10 11 7 8 11 11 18 17 Deg. Fahr. 77 72 63 62 65 68 71 76 76 Deg. Fahr. 35 25 22 18 21 21 26 30 32 6 13 21 17 10 4 2 1 Lpril itay lune Fuly Lugust September . . )ctober November .. )ecember . . 1SJ12. 1-54 1-64 5-45 7 12 12 82 88 74 33 32 30 1 1 lanuary February larch Totals 45-88 137 76