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Hon. Minister of Forestry has appointed by due Gazette notice nineteen honorary forest rangers during the year, to act as collaborators with the State Forest Service. Their interest and support have already proven of great value and assistance to the Service and to forestry in New Zealand. » FOREST-PROTECTIO-N. Forest-fires. Analysis of all reported forest-fires on and adjacent to State forests during the year : —

Forest-fire Statistics in the Dominion for the Fiscal Year ended 31st March, 1922: Lands on and adjacent to state forests.

The fire season, which extended from October to April, was marked by frequent rains and periods of cold weather, which, combined with the prevention operations of the Forest Service, contributed in no small degree in keeping down controllable losses to a minimum. This is the first year in the history of New Zealand that any conscious and planned effort has been made by the State to deal with the arch enemy of destruction and waste in its forest resources. Tho most important technical problem that the Service has to deal with is forest-fire prevention, for without assured protection of managed forests against fire no scheme or plan of timber-culture is possible or practicable. The primitive taxad timber-trees of New Zealand are much more susceptible to death and damage by this agency than are modern types of conifers, and for that reason our activities must be much more complete than in countries of the Northern Hemisphere. It is a mistake, however, to say that forest-fire prevention is impossible in this country; for 100 per cent, forest-fire prevention is possible, and will be attained by the Forest Service in a few years. Effective control is not so much a matter of statute or regulation, although adequate fines and penalties are desirable and necessary, as it is a matter of public forest consciousness and appreciation of the forest as a tangible asset. It must not be regarded as something to be destroyed and gotten rid of at the earliest possible moment. It is only by co-operation in the best sense of the word between the forest officers, settlers, travellers, hunters, and loggers that successful fire-control will be attained. This factor is profoundly sensed by the Service, and in its fire patrols every effort has been made to secure an actual and real bond of sympathy between the public and the responsible fire-patrol officers. During the year well-planned patrols were operated in hazardous districts in the Auckland, Wellington, Nelson, and Southland Provinces, and it is satisfactory to note that in the forest regions in question substantial assistance was rendered to the Service fire-fighters in suppressing and eliminating fires. A start has now been made in the development of a safe fire-protective system, and by the creation of fire districts (as by tho Forests Act, 1921) it is certain that much better results will be secured during the current year. Timber Trepassers. Several serious cases of timber-theft, illegal kauri-gum digging, trepass, and false returns have been satisfactorily dealt with during the year, and several thousand pounds recovered for the State in payment thereof. Insect Damage. The Service co-operated during the year with the Department of Agriculture in the preparation of a comprehensive bulletin dealing with forest insects and methods of control. It is understood that this much-needed publication will be issued by the Department of Agriculture during the year. No serious infestations by insects in State forests have been noted during the year, but eternal vigilance must be maintained, particularly with, regard to the 42,000 acres of coniferous plantations. Wild Pigs. Complaints have been made from the Taranaki District relative to the harbouring of pigs in State forests. Control measures are being installed.