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Nelson Region. Plantations.—At Golden Downs the rainfall was again below the average and frosts were prevalent from the beginning of April to the end of September. Planting operations were commenced towards the end of June, but the unfavourable weather somewhat retarded progress and the area planted failed to reach the arranged programme. The total area of new plantations was 1,796 acres, which brings the grand total at this station to 15,476 acres. The planting of 557 acres with Pinus ponderosa showed a survival of 95 per cent., while 772 acres planted with Pseudotsuga taxifolia was less successful, the survival being 76 per cent. Nurseries. —The principal seed sown were P. ponderosa, P. muricata, Pseudotsuga taxifolia and C. macrocarpa; 2701b. of seed being used. 1,340,000 trees were lifted and 576,000 lined out, the latter being mostly Douglas fir. The sale of tree-seeds realized £28 15s. Cantekbuky Region. Nurseries. —From Balmoral Nursery 2,641,600 trees were made available for use by other Regions, by local bodies, Government Departments, &c. ; the stock in the nursery at the end of the year was estimated to be 2,612,000, and the trees and cuttings raised during the year were estimated to total 587,200. From Eyrewell Field Nursery 224,000 trees were lifted and used in the plantation. During the coming season trees will be available as follows :■ — Station Own Use. Disposal. Balmoral .. .. ..948,200 1,664,000 Eyrewell .. .. .. 68,400 51,000 making a grand total of 2,731,600. Plantations.—The plantations are now all on a maintenance basis, and the year's afforestation work comprised mainly minor planting of waste lands, closed fire-breaks, &c. At Hanmer Springs 77 acres was planted, which included an area of 67 acres of plantation destroyed by fire in 1931 ; at Balmoral the planting was confined to 48 acres of closed fire-breaks, while at Eyrewell the new planting comprised a total area of 188 acres ; this also was mainly areas of closed fire-breaks. Westland Region. Nursery.-—No seed-sowing was undertaken at the nursery and the work of the year was mainly general maintenance. A total of 971,400 trees was lifted and" transferred from the nursery ; of these, 65,530 were required to supply local bodies and miscellaneous orders, while, of the remainder, 800,000 were transferred to Nelson Region. Plantation.—The new area planted was 111 acres on dredge tailings at Rimu Flat. Previous planting on old dredge tailings show a survival of 60 per cent. It is proposed to plant a further 300 acres in compartments 4, 5, and 9 of the plantation. Southland Region. Nurseries.-—With the lifting and bundling of 1,062,500 two- and three-year-old trees, large-scale nursery operations ceased in this Region. Of this total, 261,500 trees were distributed to local bodies, 306,000 to Nelson Region, and the rest were required for local use. At Beaumont from a sowing of 12 lb. 5 oz. of seed 112,500 seedlings were raised. Plantation. —Planting took place at Pebbly Hills, where 620 acres were established, leaving a small balance of 190 acres at this station still implanted. The new planted area absorbed 402,200 trees. The work was carried out very satisfactorily by relief labour, and the conduct of the men at the various camps was exemplary.

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given; printing (1,610 copies), £23.

Authority: G. H. Loney, Government Printer, Wellington.—l 933.

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