LV

C.-12

Exhibit No. 5. —Stump of tree grown on outer edge of plantation : Girth outside the bark, 14 ft. 7 in. ; girth inside the bark, 11 ft. 7 in. Seventy large fencing-posts were split from the butt-log of the tree felled from this stump. The seed of this tree, in common with others, was sown on the Bth October, 1874. Exhibit No. 6. —Stringy-bark gate-post, cut from the top of a tree thirty years old. Girth at ground-line, 21 in. The sap-wood on this post is barely a quarter of an inch in thickness. Reproduction. —This takes place by natural means. Mr. Reynolds remarks :" We have thousands of these young plants. Draw the trees from the ground, stow them in a wet sack, have the holes ready, and plant at once. With this method there are practically no losses." Name of Tree. —Mr. Reynolds describes it as the Tasmanian messmate-gum. The botanical name (see Maiden's revised list) is E. Macarthuri. (Refer to Rev. Mr. Simmonds's letter.) General Observations. —Mr. Reynolds describes this tree as being of two kinds—the rough bark and the white bark, there being no other apparent difference in the character or qualities of the two kinds, and is informed that this variety of gum tree is growing at the Government plantation at Waiotapu. As to the value of such plantations, Mr. Reynolds said, " AVith the exception of the house plot, I have no area of land which is better occupied than that which is occupied by trees." Speaking of a 10-' acre block owned by a friend at Lichfield, which he had been asked to inspect, and which the owner did not appear to attach much value to except for purposes of shelter and supply of firewood, Mr. Reynolds said. " If I had that block I would not sell the trees for £50 an acre." Questioned as to blue-gum (Eucalyptus globulus), Mr. Reynolds said he had at one time several thousands of these destroyed by frost, when they had reached a height of about 7 ft., and that he does not plant it now. As regards planting in fern land, it will pay to burn the fern, plough the land, lay it down in clover for two years, plough in the clover, and then plant the young trees. " Results will be as good in four years as in ten years if planted in unprepared fern land." As to other trees for fencing, &c, he described an area of river-bank on steep ground of practically no value for other purposes, being a narrow strip the exact size of which was uncertain. This whs planted with Kobinia thirty-five years ago (known in Britain as Cobbett's acacia). This now contains timbers which had been valued at £600 for fencing purposes. I only planted a few scores of plants some distance apart, the natural increase from the root (suckers) has produced the total, so the actual age of the total Value of marketable timber would be at least ten years less. Ido not think the total area of this irregular narrow strip would be more than 5 acres ; it is a most Valuable timber for fencing purposes, but compared (weight for age) against the E. Macarthuri it must take second place. The posts split out of the gum plantation were large. I value the fencing-posts at £5 per 100 ; rails, ditto, but the gate or straining posts were worth at least 7s. 6d. each.

No. 6. Karere Tree-planting Cantq) for Consumptives. Department of Public Health, Hospitals, and Charitable Aid, Sir— Wellington, N.Z., 16th May, 1913. 1 have the honour to forward herewith, as requested, details with regard to the capital and maintenance expenditure of the above camp for the years 1908-9, 1909-10, 1910 11 : — Capital Expenditure. £ Maintenaiice Expenditure. £ 1908-9. Timber, cement, bricks, tents, closets, Food, fuel, water, salaries, and wages .. 513 blankets, &c. .. .. .. 216 ~ „ ~ ~ ~ •■ 737 1909-10. Timber, tents, cow-house, &c. 148 £ 1910-11. Duck for tents .. .. .. 15 Chalf, cartage, and repairs .. ..14 Wages, manager and gardener . ... 185 Medical attendance, ten months .. 32 231 £479 £1,581 To the capital cost may be added another £50, representing £25 for prison labour, not charged for, and about £25 for stretchers, blankets, and odds and ends forwarded from the Cambridge Sanatorium. The disparity shown with regard to the maintenance expenditure for the three years is due to the fact that during the first two years the camp was established the patients' food was paid for, and also the salaries of nurses. Early in 1910 it was decided to admit to the camp only convalescent patients who were capable of looking after themselves, and who would be able to work with some degree of continuity. Consequently, it was possible under these arrangements to dispense with the services of the nurses, and the patients were able to earn more than sufficient to pay for their food. The above expenditure was for a camp for twelve patients. This was the average number of inmates during the three years the camp was in existence. I have, &c, T. H. A. Valintinb, The Chairman, Forestry Commission, Wellington. Chief Health Officer.