39

C—lb

Schedule 111. — Trees Account. "Number. Trees received during year .. .. .. .. .. 145,165 Less to replace blanks .. .. .. .. .. 67,300 Planted on new area . . . . .. .. .. . . 77,865 Previously planted .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,856,359 Total number planted on 719 acres (average age, eight years).. .. .. .. .. .. 1,934,224 Schedule IV. — Property Account. £ s d Land (1,350 acres) : Crown land not charged to Forestry Account Buildings .. .. .. .. .. .. ... 116 11 1 Stock Improvements .. .. .. .. .. .. 86 11 9 Fencing .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 838 3 3 Stores in hand .. .. ... .. .. .. 33 9 3 £1,074 15 4 Balance-sheet. £ s. d. Total expenditure .. .. .. .. .. .. 7,257 17 11 Less Property Account .. .. .. .. .. 1,074 15 4 Cost of operations .. .. .. .. .. .. 6,183. 2 7 719 acres planted (average age, eight years). Estimated value of plantation per acre .. .. . . . . 10 7 6 T. 0. Screen, Plantation Foreman. A. W. Roberts, Nurseryman in Charge.

GIMMERBURN PLANTATION RESERVE. (Area, 425 acres ; altitude, 1,200 ft. ; commenced operations, 1903.) The season has again been a favourable one at this station, and the trees are now making excellent progress. The land has been rabbited several times during the year, and Californian thistles cut. During the year 36 acres were cultivated and sown down in oats, the cost being borne by the nursery. Owing to there being no further planting done at this station, expenditure is kept down as much as possible ; but I think it would be advisable to fill in the area where the trees are with poplars, which, I think, would grow very well here. The block is somewhat scattered with trees, and lam of opinion it would be better filled up, and would also choke the Californian thistles. The expenditure for the year amounts to £10, and to date £2,631 os. sd.

Schedule II. — Statement of Expenditure. For Year. To Date. Planting operations and maintenance — £ s. d. £ s. d. Tree-planting . . . . . . .. .. 857 4 3 Pitting .. .. . . .. .. .. 29 9 0 Clearing Cartage of trees .. . . .. .. . . 97 10 9 General upkeep of plantation .. .. ... 379 8 5 General repairs .. .. .. .. .. 913 5 Horse-feed .. .. .. .. .. 420 4 0 Permanent works— Fencing .. .. .. .. .. .. 387 11 2 Formation .. .. .. . . .. 50 0 0 Buildings .. . . .. .. .. .. 57 3 9 Stock, implements, &c. —Tools, implements .. .. 19 19 0 Supervision and clerical (salaries) — Supervision of free labour .. .. . . 10 0 0 243 0 0 Proportion of Superintending Nurseryman's salary and clerical assistance ~ . . .. 79168 £10 0 0 £2,631 0 5