C.—3

2

REPORT. INTRODUCTORY. The year 1928-29 constituted a new record for State afforestation in New Zealand and for the British Empire, and one which may not again be reached in this Dominion. This was the establishment of 57,406 acres of new plantations, an increase of 22,300 acres as compared with the previous year, or nearly treble the area planted during 1926-27. This abnormal increase was due to the necessity for providing employment for those out of work during the winter months, by way of an increased and accelerated planting programme involving the engagement of approximately 1,300 labourers at the peak period. The total area administered by the Forest Service is now 7,776,915 acres, or approximately 12 per cent, of the superficial area of the Dominion. It is considered, however, that this should be substantially increased to ensure a reasonable margin of safety. The trade depression through which the milling industry has been passing is clearly reflected in the reduced timber-sales for last year, involving a further marked decrease in forest revenue. The re-establishment of this important primary industry is, however, slowly but surely progressing, and there are already signs of increased acceleration in this direction. The sales of trees and seeds continue to decline slightly, but this was not unexpected. The major operation of the Forest Products Branch was a thorough investigation of the woodpulp and paper industry. This matter is referred to in detail in a later portion of this report. The increased and varied operations of the Service have created a very busy year, and have taxed all members of the staff to their utmost capacity. Without this loyal support and co-operation the results herein recorded could not have been attained with such a degree of efficiency and economy. CHAPTER I.—THE STATE FORESTS. 1. General. Summary of Areas under Control. From the figures shown in Table 1 it will be seen that the net increase in the area under control for the past year is 68,426 acres. The area under permanent State-forest reservation was actually increased by 91,461 acres, but this was offset by a decrease of 22,836 acres of provisional State forests which were made available for settlement or other purposes.

TABLE 1. State and Provisional State Forest and Forest Reserves. —Area (in Acres) at end of Fiscal Year, 1929.

Area at End of Fiscal Year Area at End of Fiscal Year f |j g laz '" zs - i Net Increase. 1928-29. Land District. , _ 0 i3 c8 -^"g w t/J c3 State Forest ! Provi8ional Forest ! State Pl0 s V Hte nal forest qt , „ t Provisional Forest Forest. I state poreB( ._ aeserves , Forest . forest. Reserves. State Forest - State Forest. Reserves. | § ||| _ r —J , —i ; i 1 : . _£ N.Aucldand 116,303 57,105 .. 799 132* .. 117,102 56,973 .. 3 9 Auckland .. 380,172 490,478 2,316 54,571 170* .. 434,743 490,308 2,316 11-3 Gisborne .. 87,696 209,388 11,160 .. .. .. 87,696 209,388 11,160 8-75 Hawke'sBay 113,637 1,500 5,254 32* .. 199 11.3,605 1,500 5,055 4-1 Taranaki .. 69,757 46,175 40,455 .. 571 .. 69,757 46,746 40,455 6-52 Wellington.. 461,096 113,818 14,007 2,348 3,063* .. 463,444 110,755 14,007 8-34 Nelson .. 't27,715 1,975,415 8,470 4,198 631* .. 31,913 1,974,784 8,470 42-74 Marlborough [89,497 120,625 12,062 .. .. .. 89,497 120,625 12,062 8-04 Westland .. |s 2,190 1,712,117 119 .. I!),411* .. 2,190 1,692,706 119 43-9 Canterbury.. 329,424 .. 319 22,599 .. .. 352,023 .. 319 3-8 Otago .. 133,888 332,350 2,108 6,978 .. .. 140,866 332,350 2,108 5-25 Southland .. 136,497 605,376 .. .. .. .. 136,497 605,376 .. 9-44 Totals.. 1,947,872 5,664,347 96,270 91,461f 22,836* 199*2,039,333 5,641,511 96,071 1 -v —*; 1 —-v 1 v -v > _ 7,708,489 acres 68,426 acres 7,776,915 acres * "Decrease, f JSfet Increase,