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mode of successfully extinguishing such surface fires as are necessary in the preliminary clearance of tussocks, fern, gorse, &c, the suggestion advanced by an enthusiast to have special periodical tests of fire-fighting by employees when convenient is worthy of adoption. The projected extension of our private telephonic system will also permit of the speedy assembling of the staff in any case of emergency. An expenditure of £155 was devoted to the general cultivation of fire-lines, and in our endeavours to lessen this annual-recurring outlay an experiment was conducted with sheep that promises to fulfil expectations. We have entered into the practical results achieved by, and financial aspects of, grazing enclosed fire-lines with sheep; but before effecting any extreme alteration to the present system the further experiment of giving the animals free access to all parts of the more established plantations is desirable, and will likely be undertaken during the current season, Selwtn Plantations, Canterbury. In adherence to the planting scheme decided upon some two years ago by the Selwyn Plantation Board a fair amount of successful work was carried out under the supervision of Overseer Mcllwraith. At Hororata some 26,650 trees —17,000 Piuus Laricio, 9,000 Pinus ponderosa, and 650 Pinus radiata —were utilized in extending the plantation; whilst at Chaney's, efforts were directed solely in creating a barrier to the body of drifting sand, which is steadily encroaching upon the adjoining property, and, reducing the efficiency of the existing fences. Some 17,800 marram-grass plants were thus used to fix the sand particles, and 2,000 pines (700 Pinus maritima, 250 Pinus mttricata, and 1,000 Pinus radiata) in effecting a seaward breakwind. The proposals for the coming year include the planting of some 100,000 Pinus Laricio and Pinus ponderosa at Hororata, for which purpose three trained planters have already been temporarily transferred from Conical Hills Plantation. Notwithstanding an unexpected curtailed output of trees this year, the Board's desire to receive State-grown trees at cost price has been acceded to, and the mentioned pines will be duly transported from the nurseries in Canterbury and South Otago. Abandonment of Prison Labour at Hanmer Springs. The decision of the Justice Department to discontinue the utilization of prison labour for tree-planting at Hanmer Springs is regrettable in many ways; but with the gradual extension of reclamation-work and the enlargement of reformative farms the early cessation of treeplanting in Canterbury by prison labour did not come as a surprise. In briefly reviewing the work accomplished, too much stress cannot be laid upon the cordial relations existing between the officers of the co-operating departments and the extreme interest displayed by the Justice Department and its representatives in carrying on the work so successfully. Although prison labour has played a very important part in the plantation-extension work here more than onehalf of the operations must be credited to free labour. During the year work to the value of £1,127 os. 10d. was performed by the prisoners, which increases the credit of the Justice Department to date to £6,381 4s. Bd., as per details hereunder : —■ Estimated Value of Prison Labour. During the Year. Since 1903 to date. £ s. d. £ s. d. Planting 643,865 trees ... ... ... 334 14 5 2,510 18 10 Preparing 433,033 pits ... ... ... 362 5 6 1,930 3 4 Clearing 290 acres ... ... ... 290 19 5 887 10 0 General upkeep of plantation ... ... 41 16 0 410 0 9 General repairs ... ... ... .. 153 1 9 Horse-feed ... ... ... ... 5 13 15 10 0 Fencing ... ... ... ... 13 10 0 80 1 6 Formation ... ... ... ... 78 14 3 268 6 6 Buildings ... ... ... ... ... 125 12 0 Totals ... ... £1,127 010 £6,381 4 8 It is gratifying to be able to stat£ that by each prisoner accomplishing work to the value of £74 2s. 10d. during the year the individual efforts recorded in any past year have been exceeded, the average annual working value since the commencement of the camp being set down at £47 19s. 6d. Not being conversant with the running-expenses of the institution, it is not possible to furnish here the debit side of the question, to which, however, must be added the reformative value of the undertaking. After making due allowance for the'maintenance of the camp and lost time through inclement weather, a daily average of some 15-22 prisoners were engaged at forestry work throughout the year, and this discloses a slight numerical strengthening of the camp since the initiation. With regard to the continuation of the tree-planting work, the employment of an additional ten free workers, or by increasing the number of contractors from seven to seventeen, the present output_ of trees from the local nursery may be handled satisfactorily, although a small outlay in providing accommodation for workers must be reckoned upon. Damage by Rud Dim;. Very perceptible damage has been done to hundreds of our youthful trees during the past season by the red deer, which, having gained access by jumping into the enclosures, now habitually frequent the plantations. Although at Tapanui Nursery piwisioii was made for Hi.'