25

C.—lβ

sulphurous ground it is proposed to bring in a supply by another route that will be more convenient, although slightly further. The new supply-pipe will be a 2 in. one, and it is thought that this will meet the requirements of the nursery more fully. The alteration made to the sizing-shed, as explained in last year's report, made the use of the fireplaces for heating the building unsafe, and in order to remedy this hot-water pipes were laid on both the top and bottom stories. The installation, which consists of a built-in boiler constructed with a coil of pipes and 4 in. flanged cast-iron pipes through the building, is most satisfactory, and much appreciated by the workers during the frosty weather. The implement-shed is now too small for the requirements of the place. This is due to the increased number of ploughs and harrows required for cultivating the ever-increasing length of fire-breaks at the Whakarewarewa Plantation. This shed would be large enough to hold the implements only, but when the two wagons and two light traps are also there everything is cramped up inconveniently. Aβ the shed is open it is impossible to keep the vehicles clean during the dusty weather, and it is suggested that a separate building be erected to accommodate the vehicles, and thus leave the shed free for implements that cannot be harmed by the dust or sun. When the question of a building for the vehicles is being considered, it would be advisable to provide also for three loose-boxes for horses; first, because there is not sufficient room to accommodate the four new horses recently purchased ; and, secondly, because loose-boxes would be more useful than the stalls in the present stable for dealing with a sick or a young horse. Further accommodation at the Nurseryman's cottage and the men's quarters is badly needed. The average daily number employed during the year was 24 - 69 men and 745 women : total, 3214. Details of expenditure and values and schedules of trees in stock and sent out during the year are appended. Following is a record of rainfall and temperature for the year: —

Statement of Expenditure. £ s. a. Amount at 31st March, 1907 ... ... ... ... 21.612 4 5 Tree-growing ... ... ... ... ... ... 2,507 7 2 General maintenance and repairs ... ... ... ... 275 6 6 Nursery-formation ... ... ... ... ... 162 6 2 Horse-feed purchased and grown ... ... ... ... 161 4 7 Manures ... ... ... ... ... ••• 86 16 9 Tree-seeds ... ... ... ... ... ... 199 5 4 Tools, implements, &c. ... ... ... ... ... 52 2 3 Seed-frames ... ... ... ... ... ... 87 0 11 Water-supply ... ... ... ... ... ... 3 5 5 Buildings—lnstallation of hot-water service in workshop, benches in workshop, building shelter-shed ... ... 87 13 11 Fencing ... ... ... ... ... ... 56 3 9 Miscellaneous works . . "... ... ... ... 13 15 10 Proportion of Nurseryman's salary ... ... ... 160 0 0 Clerical assistance ... ... ... ... ... 23 12 0 Supervision ... .... ... ... ... ... 38 14 0 £25,526 19 0

4—C. 18.

Month. Rainfall. Number of Davs Rain fell. Highest Thermometer. Date. Lowest Reading of Thermometer. Date. 1907. Inohee. 805 5-40 2-66 271 4-89 4-77 Deg'ees. 78 72 65 66 60 65 Decrees. 32 28 21 21 23 25 April May June July August September 15 13 7 11 18 17 9th 3rd 2nd 4th 15th 22nd and 23rd 29th 25th and 28th 17th 3rd 2lRt 8th 25th 4th 15th October November 7-46 3-79 16 11 74 78 26 31 6th 16th , December 8-29 10 92 41 28th, 29th, and 31st 1908. 0-05 103 6465 1 5 15 90 90 83 9th 19th 7th 36 37 32 January February March 7th and 18th 2nd 17th Totals 55-565 139