25

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Sale of Trees to Farmers and Local Bodies. There was considerable activity throughout the South Island in tree-planting, and the total number of trees distributed to settlers and public bodies almost doubled that of the previous year. The total number of trees .sent out during the year was 458,467, making the total number supplied to date 1,315,823. The number of private individuals supplied was 476, and public bodies 38. There was also 51 lb. of tree seed sold. The main demand was again for Pinus radiata and Cupressus macrocarjm. While there have been one or two isolated complaints regarding results of planting, there have, on the other hand, been many excellent reports as regards both packing, condition of trees on arrival, and results of planting, Revenue. Revenue derived from South Island State plantations and nurseries during the year is as follows : . 1922-23. 1921-22. £ s. d. £ s. d. Sales of trees .. .. .. 1,759 9 G) „„ .„ „ Sales of tree-seeds .. .. .. .. 55 1910) <->-'»' - Sales of firewood .. .. .. .. 15 2 li| 119 0 Sales of poles, stakes, &c. .. .. .. G 18 8) Grazing .. .. .. .. .. 41 10 0 11 0 0 Sales of sheep .. . . .. .. G62 13 1 353 17 4 Sales of wool and skins .. .. .. 99 0 9 68 14 8 House rentals .. .. .. .. 27116 10 404 10 8 Sundries .. .. .. .. .. 29 0 1 309 9 11 £3,001 11 3 £2,012 3 0 Disposal op Ranpurly Nursery. This property, on which operations were discontinued during the year, has been kept in fair condition, and it is hoped that a sale will be effected during the coining year. The care of the property has been handed over to the Lands Department. Tree-planting Proposals for 1923-24. The proposed operations for the coming year comprise, a planting scheme of approximately 1,100,000 trees on an area of about 1,400 acres. Of these 800,000 trees will be planted at Hanmer Springs and Balmoral Plantations, and the remaining 300,000 at Greenvale. Very little preparation will be necessary at Balmoral, but at both Oreenvale and Hanmer Springs a fairly large amount of fencing will be necessary, and at Hanmer there will probably be a fairly large clearing charge. Transfer of Regional Headquarters. The removal of Canterbury-Otago regional headquarters from Tapanui to Christchurch, which took place in March, has already resulted in bringing the Service into much closer contact with the public, and great extension of afforestation is confidently anticipated. The number of callers in search of information relative to tree-planting exceeded in the first six weeks the number for a year at Tapanui.

ANNEXURE IV.—SUMMARIES. Summary of Operations in Nurseries during the Year ended 31st March, 1923.

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Total EX] pendlture. Trees in S urseries. Name of Nursery. Estimated Trees raised during Year. Output Oi f Trees. Estimated Number in N urseries ut 31st March, 102:;. Tree-growing. Maintenance. Buildings, Ac. Total. Trees sent to Outside Places during Year. Trees sent to Plantations during Year. I Rotorua Taparmi Ranfurly* Harmier Springs Naseby £ b. d. 6,853 2 i) 2,071 12 0 93 8 10 1,129 13 0 404 o 6 £ s. il. 283 0 (i 2,208 12 5 50-2 2 11 1,253 !. r , 8 £ e. d. i £ s. d. 40 12 0 i 7,170 15 I! 124,13 10 I 4,404 is :i r>yr» ii 9 176 10 :: 2,5(11 18 11 -104 0 (i C,,225.OOO I,093,750 3,265,276 395,125 40,300 78,330 1,015,164 157,00.1 26,202 277,201 9.248,000 3,457,920 1,78i,900 275,500 3,093,400 580,560 Totals 10,551 17 1 4,249 11 6 341 10 1 Il5,143 4 8 • Nursery now closed. 10,276,150 3,785,030 1,475,631 16,379,870 i i i