MY WORK, STAFF, AND CHIEFS 45 



be settled exactly which sections of the various 

 plantations should be thinned or cut altogether, 

 and where the planting was to be done. A re- 

 view was taken of all the draining that required 

 cleaning or increasing. What sections of fencing 

 would have to be done, and how many new gates 

 were wanted. What cottages or lodges should 

 be repaired, and tender obtained for the work. 

 Having these returns from each of the three 

 districts, with estimates, moreover, of the amount 

 of produce that could be realised from the various 

 operations, and the value thereof, we set to 

 work to compile the totals of the three districts, 

 and to ascertain how much of the projected 

 work could be carried out with due regard to 

 economy and to the amount the Forest seemed 

 likely to earn. Of course we always wanted to 

 spend more money than we were likely to get. 

 The size of the Forest and its innumerable roads 

 and rides would absorb any amount of expendi- 

 ture, and dealing with them always seemed like 

 pouring money into a sack with a hole in it. On 

 the whole, I am bound to say that I was well 

 treated in this respect, and was not often refused 

 the grant of any money that I deemed it reason- 

 able to ask for. Especially I was allowed to put 

 in order and improve the bad cottages. 



Once these figures were finally settled, and 



