C—3

16

Following is a record of the rainfall and temperature for the year : —

Rainfall, Temperature, &c.

Summary showing the Area of Kcdngcuroa Plains Plantation fJ/.,932\3 Acres in Trees). How occupied. Acres. Pines ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 4,556-55 Douglas.fir ... ... ... ... ... 340-17 Larch and chestnut mixture ... ... 2558 Roads, tracks, and fire-breaks ... ... ... ... ... 446" 18 Unplanted land ... ... ... 27,986-52 Total ... ... ... ... ... 33,355-00 Puhipuhi Plantation. The rainfall for the year has again been heavy, 91-80 in. falling on 182 days. ' Good growth has been made by many of the trees, but heavy winds have been prevalent and numbers of the oldest trees have been uprooted. During the year 66,000 trees were received from Rotorua Nursery and used for replacing deaths in last year's planting. The results have not been altogether good, because, owing to delays on the journey from Rotorua, some of the trees became heated and only the very strong ones survived. Owing to the prevalent heavy winds it is not considered advisable to plant any of the remaining area with Eucalyptus, and future plantings will therefore have to be made with Pinus radiata. As soon as the exposed ridges are covered with a good growth of pines the growth of the Eucalyptus should be greatly improved. A survey of the compartments and tracks has not yet been made, and will need to be done as soon as an officer can be spared. Following is a record of the rainfall and temperature for the year : —

Rainfall, Temperature, &c.

Temperature. Month. Rainfall. Number of Days Rain fell. Maximum. Minimum. Number of Days Frosts occurred. 1917. In. 5-87 5-08 6-46 5-38 3-52 4-46 3-80 4-07 2-55 Deg. P. Deg. F. 70 34 70 27 59 23 58 27 64 25 76 28 72 30 75 31 80 36 April May June July August September .. October November .. December .. 18 16 12 21 19 16 2:; 12 13 3 11 5 II 4 3 2 1918. 4-1.4 4-75 4-32 18 10 13 84 42 84 44 79 35 January February March Totals 54-40 191 39

Month. Rainfall. Number of Days Rain fell. Temp Maximum. Temperature. pern ature. Minimum. Number of — Days Frosts occurred. 1917. April May June July August September .. October November .. December .. In. 11-94 r 8-57 11-93 7-49 10-20 5-96 5-1.7 2-25 2-1.3 12 22 18 22 16 16 12 9 8 Deg. F. 71 66 64 60 62 64 70 74 84 Deg.JF. 42 36 38 36 32 36 38 40 40 1 1918. 894 11-00 6-22 18 19 10 80 78 74 40 50 40 January February March Totals 91-80 182