11

0.—3

Forest Reconnaissance, Demarcation, and Survey. Detailed stock-taking, tlie foundation upon whicli is built the permanent management of our forests, has been steadily carried on during the year. In the Auckland region ten reconnaissance surveys aggregating 6,965 acres were completed, and the field-work of an extensive reconnaissance and co-ordination survey of the northern portion of Taupo County finished. In the Wellington region the forest reconnaissance of an area of 4,241 acres was made, and the reconnaissance of a similar area commenced. In the South Island progress in this work has also been made. One extensive reconnaissance was carried out in Nelson region to ascertain the type of forest and general condition of the uplands contiguous to the Wangapeka and Little Wanganui Valleys. In the practically unexplored district in the vicinity of Lake Hochstetter the Westland region has commenced a reconnaissance of this virgin forest area, while Southland region reports the examination of 33,000 acres of Crown forest lands in the Lillburn, Hauroko, and Alton Survey Districts for the purpose of classifying the area into protection and commercial forest and with a view to recommendation for dedication as State forest. As a result of the classification and demarcation survey executed last year in conjunction with the Department of Lands and Survey the plans and descriptions of the areas which are to be made State forests, or withdrawn as suitable for settlement, are now practically completed in Westland region, and the work will be finalized early in 1927. In the Rotorua conservation region the internal lay-out of 10,800 acres of new plantation was surveyed, and periphery surveys of the boundaries of land recently acquired from the Department of Lands and Survey for afforestation purposes commenced. The boundary survey of the Westland experimental area of 7,760 acres and the survey of the access road to the Wesland Nursery were completed; and at the Blue Mountains, in the Canterbury-Otago region, the internal design of 1,000 acres of new plantation was completed, and a topographical survey of part of Hanmer Plantation commenced. Co-operation in Timber-stumpage Examinations and Reports for other Departments. Other Government Departments, Native Land Boards, and local bodies have availed themselves of tlie assistance and advice of the Service in connection with forestation and timber matters. The most important work of this nature was the valuation of the standing timber of the Taumarunui County executed for the Valuation Department, while thirty-eight other examinations over areas aggregating 16,519 acres were made for other Departments, &c. 2. FINANCE. The total cash receipts for the year from all sources was £152,550, a slight decrease compared with the year 1924-25. The State Forest Service expenditure under the vote for the year was as follows : —

State Forest Service Expenditure.

Diagram showing the Apportionment of each £1 of the Service Expenditure for the Fiscal Year ended the 31st March, 1926.

Comparison of the Forest Income and Expenditures tor the Period 1922—26.

(Management and operational) Fiscal Year ended Item. — 31st March, 31st March, j 31st March, 1926. 1925. 1924. £ £ £ A. Salaries .. .. .. .. .. .. 37,016* 31,429 30,686 B. Management and development of State forests .. ... 18,666 17,618 16,271 C. Forest-fire prevention and patrol (indigenous forest) .. 1,59] 1,557 1,977 D. Education: Reference library, publications, &c. .. .. 1,377 927 582 E. Forest research and products investigations .. .. 5,773 4,589 3,738 F. Afforestation: Plantations, nurseries, and general .. 83,158"|" 51,854 38,006 G. Acquisition of indigenous forests .. .. .. 10,785 106,067§ 4,548 H. Grants to local bodies, &c. .. .. .. ... 6,141:1". 257 2,496 164,507 214,298 98,304 * Includes all salaries of non-permanent officers previously included in items B and F. f Includes purchases of land for afforestation purposes, £17,764. j Includes payments to local authorities under section 17 of the Finance Act, 1924. § Includes £100,000 transferred to the Land for Settlements Account for the acquisition as a State forest of part Selwyn Settlement Estate, Mamaku Plateau.