23

C—3

• during the coming winter will complete the area available. Several small compartments throughout, however, will require to be attended to, and the replanting of hardwoods and Piceas where desirable will be undertaken gradually. Excellent headway in tree-growth has been made throughout. In every situation Pinus Laricio, P. ponderosa, and P. radiata are succeeding, and fortunately no ill effects of windpressure are noticeable amongst these trees, notwithstanding the exposed positions they occupy. Anticipations have not been realized here regarding the trial planting of Eucalyptus Maearthuri and E. viminalis. The young trees have rooted, but evidently the cold, sour nature of the surface does not meet their requirements, and success in gum-planting in this district can only be attained by planting on warm hillsides. The usual maintenance-work occupied the attention of five men, whose services will require to be retained. An excellent return from our sheepgrazing proposition again resulted; and, moreover, in no previous year were the fire-lines kept in such an efficient state. A sum of £837 Us. .'id. was expended in the various works during the year, thus increasing the total expenditure at this station to £31,370 lis. sd.

Rainfall, Temperature, &c

Pukhuau Plantation, Otago, (Area, 628 acres; altitude, from 700 ft. to .1,400 ft.; commenced operations, 1915.) (H. Howe, Plantation Foreman.) Much delay was experienced in securing fencing-material for completing this enclosure, with the result that the extermination of rabbits, which were unusually plentiful on the area, was a difficult proposition. Every known means of combating the pest was introduced, and, although subsequently the reserve became practically clear, it was not before some of the earlier-planted trees received injury, from which, however, they are gradually recovering. The season's growingpercentage is excellent, and particularly noticeable in this respect are the 159,575 Pinus radiata. Probably a 3-per-cent. death-rate will cover losses. The Pinus ponderosa have also succeeded beyond expectations. Perhaps in no previous year have the poplars made such promising headway, and their progress next season should influence the decision of further utilization of the Populus for fire-break margins. So far the Eucalyptus viminalis and E. Maearthuri are promising well, and on becoming acclimatized there is no reason why these hardy types should not succeed in the favourable position allocated. Much horse-labour was necessary in opening up the internal and boundary fire-barriers. In several places, however, the presence of rocky outcrops forbade cultivation with the teams, and the chipping of tussocks, (fee, will require to be done by the more costly method of hand-labour. A small gang will be retained at this station to complete tiie planting of the enclosed area, which will hold about an additional 150,000 trees, consisting of Pinus radiata and eucalypts. Several of the camps were dismantled and conveyed to the new site at Greenvale, whilst the remaining tents will' be gradually transported as circumstances warrant. The expenditure for the year amounted to £2,134 lis. 2d,, and the total since initiation £2,773 6s. 6d.

Month. Rainfall. [ J Number of Bays Rain 'fell. Tempo raturo. Maximum. Minimum. Beg. F. Bog. F. 68 30 60 28 54 30 54 24 63 28 62 28 70 28 78 30 82 38 Number of Days Frosts occurred. 4 11 13 16 14 7 5 2 I 191<i. In. April . '.. .. 115 May .. .. .. 2 69 June .. .. .. 3-67 July .. .. .. 145 August . . .. . . 3-22 September . . .. .. 2-97 October . . . . . . 0-86 November .. .. .. 4'05 December .. .. . . 0-53 9 9 12 8 10 12 10 14 3 1917. January . . .. .. 3'C6 February . . .. .. 5'64 March ' .. .. .. 301 10 18 11 82 38 80 34 81 29 2 Totals .. .. 32-30 126 74