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Afforestation. During the year 7,207 acres of new plantations were established in the Rotorua, Hanmer Springs, Balmoral, Tapanui, and Westland districts, as compared with 2,862 acres established in 1922-23, 3,408 acres in 1921-22, and 1,381 acres in 1920-21. This result is indeed encouraging, particularly when it is remembered that this new acreage of 7,207 acres was formed at a cost of not more than one-half the unit costs of those of former years. The total area of State plantations now in New Zealand embraces 51,825 acres.

Comparison of the Annual Tree-planting Operations in State Plantations for the Years 1921-24.

A successful beginning in direct afforestation operations in the cut-over bush lands of the Westland Province was made during the year. The planting of the first 140 acres near Hokitika has been primarily successful and augurs well for the future. The total quantity of trees for planting disposed of to settlers, returned-soldier farmers, runholders, local bodies, and others was 1,840,000, which constitutes another record in our history. FOREST-PROTECTION. The forest-fire season of 1923-24 put to a severe test the forest-fire-prevention machinery of the Service, but it is reported that the total number of fires doing damage to timber in State forests was thirty-three, embracing a timbered area of 45 acres. A large proportion of the damage of £292 is being salvaged by prompt cutting. This small loss during a year of unusual dryness and lligh hazard speaks well for the high degree of support and co-operation that the Service is now securing from the public of this Dominion in its efforts to conserve the national forest resources. Timber-sales. Another high-water mark has been set during the year in the many advantageous sales of ripe timber made for immediate and local use to State Departments, sawmillers, sleeper-getters, farmers, and others. £266,388 worth of ripe timber was sold on competitive terms in quantities from a few hundred feet up to several million feet. Special consideration was given, as usual, to assisting co-operative sawmilling groups and in making it possible for the small operator to secure raw material on such terms as would permit him to compete successfully in the manufacturing and marketing of his timber. FOREST-PRODUCTS RESEARCH. In forest-products research substantial progress was made in determining the use values of redbeech and black-beech for building and general industrial purposes ; whilst standard service tests were begun at Auckland University College on New-Zealand-manufactured plywoods and veneers. The cross-arm tests begun in 1922 were continued on southern rata, and on certain Australian woods for comparison purposes. Pole tests on silver-pine, kawaka, and on certain exotic timbers were continued during the year. Findings of investigations were published in Circular No. 10, and an investigation dealing with the average working-values in specific gravity and shrinkage of our native woods was started during the year. An important study of sap-stain and its prevention in white-pine was begun during the year. This is a most important economic study, as it has been found that a certain mould reported to occur in New Zealand butter is traceable to a sap-stain fungus. The tannin value of kamahi was undertaken in conjunction with the Woolston Tanneries (Limited), and a preliminary study dealing with kauri-gum bleeding was inaugurated. Certain other minor investigations were undertaken, such as- the use of New Zealand woods for brush-backs ; for making of bobbins, perns, and spools ; tanakaha for deep-sea fishing-rods ; and the use of beech in milk-crates. Private and Local-body Forestry. The year marks the fixing of a new high-water mark in private, proprietary, and local-body afforestation activities. At least three sawmilling companies have pledged themselves to definite projects, ultimately involving at least 7,000 acres ; whilst the sum total of new private plantations and shelter-belts established by farmers, settlers, and runholders during the year is 5,000 acres. A prominent feature of the year was the launching and formation of at least twelve plantation companies organized for the chief purpose of planting and growing timber crops. The establishment of at least 50,000 acres of commercial tree-plantations should result. For the year about 500 acres were formed by this agency. Other industrial proprietary and co-operative enterprises were responsible for the