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^ly predecessor in 1912 estimated that 111 miles of private 

 and 110 miles of government forest fences existed, that 21.5 

 miles of forest fences were required to be constructed by gov- 

 ernment leases, and that 91 miles of private forest land boun- 

 daries and 85 miles of government forest reserve boundaries 

 were in need of fences for the better protection of the native 

 forest. Since then many miles of fences have been built under 

 lease requirements. 



The Division of Forestry first began fence building on forest 

 reserve boundaries in July, 1910, and from that date to Novem- 

 ber 14, 1914, which was previous to my coming into office, or 

 during a period of a little more than four years, had constructed 

 11.52 miles of such fences at an average cost of $401.56 per 

 mile. This cost may appear excessive, but it must be remem- 

 bered that most of these fences are in remote and rather inacces- 

 sible localities where the cost of getting the material on to the 

 ground is very great. 



Owing to the necessity of visiting the localities where fencing 

 was needed in order to prepare specifications in a businesslike 

 manner, the actual work of fence construction in 1915 did not 

 begin until the summer months. But before the year was up 

 2.85 miles of new fence had been constructed at an average cost 

 of $428.47 per mile, and 3.54 miles of old and broken fences re- 

 paired, making a total of 6.39 miles of forest boundary effectively 

 guarded from destructive stock. It should be borne in mind that 

 the maintenance of existing fences is as important as the con- 

 struction of new ones, because an old fence with breaks in it is 

 just as ineffective against stock as no fence at all. Conversely, a 

 broken fence repaired and put in good shape is as valuable as a 

 stock-barrier as a new fence, and is usually made effective at a 

 lesser expense than a new fence. Contracts have been let and 

 plans are being made for the construction of new fences and the 

 repairing of existing fences during 1916, which will amount to a 

 great many more miles. 



The standard fence of the Division of Forestry consists of 

 5 smooth galvanized wires stretched on 7-foot redwood posts set 

 2 feet in the ground, 20 feet apart with 2 intermediate Douglas 

 fir spreaders. This, of course, has to be varied in places on 

 account of topography and for other reasons. 



Administration. Added protection has been given to the forest 

 reserves by the appointment during the year of three new Forest 

 Rangers, one on Kauai and two on Oahu, whose duty it is to 

 patrol government lands in the reserve to prevent forest fires, 

 damage by stock and trespass, to maintain existing fences and, 

 \yhen necessary, construct new ones, and to plant trees. Addi- 

 tional rangers will be appointed where the need for them is real 

 and when suitable men, who are trustworthy and will work con- 

 scientiously without close supervision, can be found. 



