C—3

It is necessary to report, with regret, 2 fatal accidents. On 9th November, 1945, a tractor-driver was killed through being pinned underneath a bulldozer which had overturned on a bank. On 11th February, 1946, a bushman, hauling logs from a steep slope, was crushed by a log, receiving injuries from which he died. In both accidents there was no suggestion' of negligence by the Forest Service, and verdicts of " accidental death " were returned at the inquests. Safety instruction will be incorporated in all future training work. Following the passing of the Bush Workers Act, 1945, it is anticipated that an active safety campaign will be developed in co-operation with the industry and the Department of Labour. 19. Compensation to Employees.—The Service carries its own accident-insurance risk, and the total compensation payment, total wages, &c., are as follows :

As the estimated premium payable for a comprehensive commercial accident policy for the year would have been £15,275, a saving of £9,727 has been effected. It is satisfactory to note that the amount of compensation paid during the year hasdecreased in spite of the increased number of accidents, the reason being that minor injuries formed a large proportion of the total. 20. Recruitment. —The recruitment and training of officers has finally been organized ' as a separate section of the Forest Service and staffed by three highly qualified officersworking to a twenty-year staffing-plan objective. The high proportion of young exservicemen appointed during the year has been a feature of the field-staff recruitment.. Ten out of the 17 appointees are ex-servicemen, and of these 2 are studying for B.Sc.. degrees under rehabilitation bursaries. Junior field recruits total 85, of whom 50 haveserved in the Forces. To meet an acute shortage of timber-measures in indigenous forests, 24 temporary staff appointments, including 18 ex-servicemen, have been made. Prior to their appointment these men were given a period of employment as chainmen and a two-month competitive course in timber-measuring. 21. Training. —Junior field recruits are continuing to receive training as two groups : (а) Professional trainees (32), who have the opportunity of graduating in approved science subjects as a preliminary to a two-year intensive post-graduate course in professional forestry subjects at the Rotorua Forest Training Centre,, which it is hoped will commence in April, 1947, and receive University recognition. (б) Field trainees (53), who are given rotational field experience culminating in competitive courses at the Forest Service Training Centre. Of the professional trainees, 3 have completed their B.Sc. degree and 13 have, as-ex-servicemen, been granted rehabilitation bursaries in New Zealand. In addition,. 2 ex-servicemen officers of the Service have been granted rehabilitation bursaries in the United Kingdom and are studying for a forestry degree at Edinburgh and Aberdeen Universities respectively. With a view to taking up forestry as a career and professional appointments in thisService, 5 ex-servicemen are studying forestry at Universities in the United Kingdom. An additional 7 ex-servicemen have been granted rehabilitation bursaries in New Zealand with the object of graduating B.Sc. as a preliminary to post-graduate forestry training-

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Year. Total Payments. Total Wages. Per Centum (Approximately). 1944-45 1945-46 £ 5,774 5,548 £ 292,483 349,863 £ s. d. 1 19 5 1 11 9