FOREST-TREE GROWING IN THE SOUTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND. I 77 



thrives under these conditions, the latter tree is now receiving 

 preference. The swaying influence of winds on trees becomes 

 more pronounced the higher the altitude. 



" Although we endeavour to partially restrain this ill effect by 

 planting double lines of fast-growing shelter-trees — Piiius 

 radiata or Pinus rnuricata — where practicable, little or no 

 assistance in this direction can be rendered those trees occupy- 

 ing positions upon steep exposed hillsides." 



Under the heading " Labour and Supervision " Mr Robinson 

 has some interesting remarks to make, as the following extracts 

 will show : — 



"The raising of about three million trees and afforestation of 

 1025 acres annually, together with the allied maintenance-labour 

 in pruning, etc., the previously planted 3612 acres, involves an 

 outlay of some ^Ct^^o, and provides employment throughout 

 the year for an average number of sixty-four men. These 

 figures, however, do not include prison labour, which is confined 

 to the Hanmer Springs station, where the hearty co operation of 

 the Justice Department is responsible for the substantial saving 

 effected in dealing with the permanent planting work there. 

 After due allowance is made for domestic and camp mainte- 

 nance duties, about ten prisoners are available, and the annual 

 value of their tree-planting work may be computed at ^^75 per 

 man. The total expenditure thus devoted to afforestation in 

 the South Island section may be more accurately set down at 

 ^^8067. 



"The gaolor in charge at Hanmer Springs camp is responsible 

 to the Justice Department for the welfare of the prisoners : and 

 on becoming acquainted, through the plantation foreman, with 

 the desires of the Forestry Branch, apportions a warder to each 

 working-gang of from four to ten prisoners, according to the 

 nature of the labour undertaken and the nurnerical strength of 

 the camp. 



"Much aid is rendered the plantation foreman by warders, who 

 soon become competent overseers, and, as a rule, willingly assist 

 in keeping the records of work daily performed. 



" By the inclusion on the staff of one or two men skilled in 

 carpentry, horse-shoeing, blacksmithing, and saddlery-work much 

 time is saved, besides providing steady employment to those 

 who would otherwise be idle through wet weather. As a rule, 

 very little difficulty is experienced in securing the desired number 



VOL. XXIX. PART II. M 



