1952-195 3
VICTORIA
FORESTS COMMISSION OF VICTC)RIA, AUSTRAJ~IA
THlllTY-THIRD ANNUAL REPORT :FIN 1\NCIAL YEAR 1H51-52
PRESENTED TO BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT PURSUANT TO ACT No. 3685, SECTION 40.
(ApprOII:imate Oosl of R !,\).! ci' utl•ontv. W. M. HOUSTON. GOVERNMENT PRINTER, MELBOURNE. No. 16 -[ .201. 1-3088/53. • FORESTS COMMISSION OF VICTORIA Treasury Gardens, Melbourne, C.2. ANNUAL REPORT 1951-52 In compliance with the provisions of Section 40 of the Forests Act 1928, No. 3685, the Forests Commission has the honour to present to Parliament the following report of its activities and financial statements for the financial year 1951-52. F. G. GERRATY, Chairman. A. 0. LAWRENCE, Commissioner. C. M. EWART, Commissioner. K. COCKBURN, Secretary. Melbourne, 18th February, 1953. CONTENTS PAGE INTRODUCTION 7 FoREsT AREA 8 SILVICULTURE OF INDIGENOUS FORESTS 8 SuRVEYS AND FoREST AssESSMENT 10 FoREsT ENGINEERING •• 13 PLANTATIONs AND NuRSERIEs 14 FIRE PROTECTION 15 PROSECUTIONS 19 UTILIZATION- Sawn Timber Statistics : Timber Production : Pulpwood Production : Production of Emergency 20 Firewood : Output of Produce from State Forests. DETERMINATION oF SAWMILLING RoYALTY RATEs 23 INDUSTRIAL CONDITIONS AND EMPLOYMENT 23 INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS 24 STORES CoNTROL 24 BUILDING CONSTRUCTION 24: FoREST PEsTs 25 EDUCATION- School of Forestry: University of Melbourne: Diploma of Forestry: Forest Assessment School. 25 VISUAL PUBLICITY 26 STAFF 27 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, 1951-1952- Forestry Fund: Summary of Loan Expenditure: Summary of Departmental Collections: Expenditure 28 from.Loans Current: Revenue and Appropriated Expenditure: State Seasoning Works, Newport: Firewood Production : State Sawmill, Erica. DETAILED SAWMILLING STATISTICS, 1951-1952 36 7 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE FORESTS COMMISSION OF VICTORIA FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE, 1952. INTRODUCTION. Once again the timber output for the State exceeded all previous records. Sawn timbe1· production from State forest sources of logs was 225,946,000 and 9,846,000 superficial feet of hardwoods and softwoods, respectively. Whether an output of this magnitude is likely to be required and attained in succeeding years is problematic and a matter of concern to· the Commission and the sawmilling industry alike. The latter part of the year under review has revealed market reactions in sharp contrast to conditions which have prevailed throughout the postwar period. The demand for timber for the manufacture of hardwood cases has virtually terminated, and the market for scantling timber has suffered a severe set-back, so much so, that the sawmilling industry is, at the moment, embarrassed by accumulations of scantlings, particularly in short lengths. It is admitted that this could be the result of economie adjustments, but the local hardwood industry is confronted with the very large stock of imported timbers still accumulating in the Port of Melbourne and which, because of its high price, can be expected to be a primary sales objective on the part of both importer and merchant. While the Commission maintains its confidence that the market for locally-grown hardwood framing timber and scantlings generally will remain basically sound, it concedes that the change over to a buyer's market is likely to persist. This involves more selectivity on the part of the miller in the quality of log acceptable to him and will inevitably result in a drop of production per acre from the forest resource-at least until such time as industries can be developed to utilize the vast volume of cellulose fibre in reject material. A greater area of forest country than in the immediately preceding years must, therefore, be organized for production of mill logs. During the last decade, forest utilization on the part of the Commission and development of the sawmilling industry have been closely co-ordinated, and investment of capital by the industry in relation to that policy has been so extensive, that the two may properly be described as interdependent. The Commission on the one hand is dependent upon the activity of the industry to utilize the forest resources and to take advantage of the Commission's investment of public moneys in the development of forest territory. The industry, on the other hand, depends upon the Commission's capacity to develop the forest territory and particularly to make constantly accessible adequate supplies of log timber through the construction of major roads. If the market collapses the industry languishes, but the forest remains for use at a later date. If the timber resource is unavailable through the Commission's financial or physical incapacity to develop it, large sections of the industry dependent on such supplies could be financially embarrassed and the market would have to be bolstered by imported timber. The Commission's road-construction programme in connexion with both utilization and fire protection has not been over-ambitious. The aim in roading for utilization is to keep construction sufficiently ahead of immediate requirements to ayoid the possibility of disruption of sawmilling operations due to lack of essential access. The extent of the Commission's works programme and limiting factors of finance and machines have been such over the past few years that it has not been practicable to attain the margin of forward construction necessary to provide reasonable security against such possibility. Road construction on the scale of present activities at least must continue to be a major feature of the Commission's works programme for some years to come. Reduction of the current scale for even one year could have serious repercussions in the timber and allied industries with probability of accompanying unemployment. The area of forest country burnt over during the fire season was the greatest since the disastrous fires of 1939, but, in contradistinction to that year, the area of commercially valuable forest burnt was relatively smalL Extensive fires which involved serious losses of stock and fencing occurred in the Upper Murray area. Fires also occurred in East Gippsland in country which had not suffered fire damage for a long period, including 1939. The Commission's officers are anxiously watching pine plantations for any sign of strike by Sirex wood wasp to which reference was made in last year's report, and concerning which the Commission submitted evidence to the Committee of Enquiry appointed by the Commonwealth Government. 8 FOREST AREA. The area of reserved forest at 30th June, 1952, was as follows Permanent Forest 4,433,908 acres Timber Reserves 717,378 acres Total 5,151,286 acres Net increase during 1951-52 164,436 acres Changes in the area of reserved forest during the year 1951-52 were as follows: ExciSIONS. Under Section 48 (9) of the Forests Act 1928- Permanent Forest 80 acres Under Section 2 (1) of the Forests Act 1949- Permanent Forest 3,220 acres Timber Reserve .. 55 acres Total area excised 3,355 acres ADDITIONS. Permanent Forest. Under Section 48 (9) of the Forests Act 1929 80 acres Under Section 2 (1) of the Forests Act 1949 4,711 acres Under Section 52 (1) of the Forests Act 1928 163,000 acres Total .. 167,791 acres The major area indicated-163,000 acres-was Crown land on either side of the Princes Highway in the Murrungower-Club Terrace locality east of Orbost. Assessment surveys carried out in the past few years established that these Crown lands either carried excellent mature and regrowth timber stands or were capable of being developed for the growing of high-quality forest. In addition, the area is now within the range of economic timber utilization. Total area purchased during the year 1951-52 was 11,919 acres. SILVICULTURE OF INDIGENOUS FORESTS. Work undertaken during the year is summarized hereunder and compared with preceding years. · Nature of Work. I 1961-52. 1050-51 1949-50. 1948-49. 1947-48. 1937-38. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. First thinning ...... 7,127 9,624 5,392 6,870 7,903 41,823 Second or subsequent thinning .. 6,646 2,348 2,310 2,540 1,826 10,413 Regeneration or liberation treatment .. 4,177 7,316 3,236 5,286 4,326 16,638 Coppice treatment ...... 5,883 13,873 16,079 15,273 15,157 85,859 Total ...... 23,833 33,161 27,017 29,969 29,212 154,733 In addition, control of dodder (1,030 acres) and mistletoe (1,758 acres) was carried out. 9 Experimental plantings on badly-eroded land near Ouyen in the Mallee have been extended with the establishment of seven more species. Eucalyptus lon,qicornis F.V.M., E. Kruseana F.V.M., E. Stoatei C. A. Gard., E. intertexta R. T. Baker, E. Woodwardi Maiden, E. campaspe S. leM. Moore, E. Le Souejjii Maiden. A total of 36 species is now under trial, including nine Victorian eucalypts. Survival has been good -following a series of seven favorable seasons. Good natural regeneration of Murray pine (Callitris glauca) has been obtained on rabbit-proofed plots at Mournpool and Meringur in the Mallee, and spot sowings and broadcasting in similarly fenced plots in Y arrara State Forest have also been successful. Spot sowing of Black pine (Callitris c.alcarata, R. Br.), and Murray pine on granitic soils in the \Varby Ranges north of Wangaratta has given promising results. In box-ironbark forests near Bealiba, successful establishment of regeneration from natural, spot, and broadcast sowings, followed the enclosure of plots by rabbit-proof fencing. The influence of cultivation and agricultural fertilizers on regeneration is being studied in this area. Near Cohuna an attempt is being made to convert treeless sandy rises, and heavy clay flats beyond the reach of regular floods and now carrying poor River Red Gum (E. camaldulensis, Dehn.), Black Box (E. bicolor, A. Cunn.), and Buloke (Casuarina Luehmannii, R. T. Bak.), to any or all of the' following species :-Yellow Gum (E. leucoxylon, F.V.M.), Yellow Box (E. melliodora, A. Cunn.), Grey Box (E. hemiphloia, F.V.M.), White Box (E. albens, Miquel), Red Ironbark (E. sideroxylon, A. Cunn.), and Murray pine. At Terricks, north of Bendigo, plots have been laid down to determine the response of stagnating Murray pine to various thinning espacements. Following complaints by vignerons in the Nyah district, on the River Murray, that Red Gum forests in close proximity to the vineyards aggravated frost damage, the Commission is co-operating with the Merbein Research Station of the C.S.I.R.O. in an investigation of this problem. As it is possible that the trouble is accentuated by stagnant air due to the adjacent forest stands, trial air drainage lanes have been cut through the forest. The effect of these is now being studied. In co-operation \.\rith the Soil Conservation Authority, work has been undertaken on the old reservoir catchment area near St. Arnaud to control run-off and arrest erosion. A bare compacted floor under well-stocked box-ironbark stands, typical of the auriferous Ordovician sites, has been contour furrowed where practicable and, on the stony ridges comprising the remainder of the area, brush from the thinning of advanced coppice has been laid. A marked improvement is evident; run-off is reduced and ground cover is developing. On the ·wapentake Block, near Costerfield, where contour furrowing was done in 1949, litter is accumulating and ground flora re-establishing itself, but no box or ironbark seedling regeneration has yet developed. Control of dodder (Cassytha melantha, R. Br.) by spraying and of mistletoe (Loranthus pendulus, Sieb.) by trunk injections of 2,4-D has been attempted. The spraying of dodder to date has not proved effective for practical application in the control of this parasite. The effect of grazing stock on silvicultural factors such as establishment and development cf natural seedlings and coppice regeneration, seed-bed conditions, and soil erosion in various types of native forest, has been the subject of further investigation. In particular, the collection of data relating to silvicultural benefits accruing from closure of forest areas against grazing animals has been organized in an endeavour to provide specific and reliable information for future reference. 10 SURVEYS AND FOREST ASSESSMENT. SURVEYS. (a) Carried out by licensed survey staff. Surveys totalling 133 miles were carried out by the Commission's licensed survey staff in conne:xion with the demarcation of forest boundaries, determination of boundaries of land acquired by purchase, exchange and dedication, demarcation of road easements through private property in connexion with the construction of road access to State forests, and the establishment of base lines. These surveys were carried out in Beechworth, Bright, Bruthen, Dandenong, Daylesford, Lal Lal, l\Iacalister, Nowa Nowa, Orbost, Otway West, Upper Ovens, and Upper Yarra forest districts. Primary horizontal and vertical controls for mapping from aerial photographs of pine plantations at Aire Valley, Bright and Ovens were provided. Thirty-one concrete permanent survey marks were established in accordance with the requirements of the Survey Co-ordination Act. The survey programme has been retarded by a shortage of survey staff, and the Commission is continuing with its scheme for the training of pupil surveyors. At present there are three such pupils under articles of indenture to licensed surveyors of the Commission's staff. (b) Carried out by engineering survey sta:ff'. Road location surveys Miles. Reconnaissance and trial lines Final lines Setting out for construction Miscellaneous Total 183! (c) Carried out by district forest 8taff. Road and track traverses, and road location surveys 710 Boundary and subdivisional surveys 28 Other surveys .. 20 Total 758 FoREST :MAPPING AND AssESSMENT. In addition to standard timber-assessment surveys in both hardwood and softwood forests, the year's programme included a special survey of timbered Crown lands adjacent to the Eildon Reservoir, a reconnaissance of potential pulpwood resources in the Otways district, and a preliminary reconnaissance of timber stands in East Gippsland damaged by fire during the summer of 1952. An average strength of five parties during winter and seven during summer was maintained on field surveys, but the summer programme was considerably curtailed by the necessity for personnel to engage in fire-fighting duties over a period of several weeks. Winter programme, 1951. An area of 22,183 acres of State forest in the Blue Range locality of the Delatite forest district, between Benalla and Mansfield, was assessed and mapped as a prerequisite to the planning of a roading system to tap the commercial timber stands on the plateau, to improve fire protection, and to facilitate forest management. Sixteen thousand five hundred and forty-three acres were assessed along the Deep Creek-Stony Creek divide north of the Thomson River in the Macalister forest district, this being a westerly extension of the previous year's assessment of timbered stands in the Stony Creek basin. Field mapping was not carried out, topographical maps prepared from aerial photographs being used as base plans. 11 The survey in progress during the previous year in forests along the Mellickmunjie Timbarra divide in the Nowa Nowa forest district was completed by the assessment and mapping of an additional 9,000 acres. Site quality mapping and timber estimation commenced during the previous year in plantations in the vicinity of Ballarat were continued, and field work in all plantations comprising the Scarsdale-Creswick-Ballarat group was completed during 1951. The area assessed and mapped subsequent to 30th June, 1951, was approximately 13,350 acres. Summer programme. Two parties were engaged throughout the summer on timber assessment and reconnaissance of mountain forests on the headwaters of the Goulburn, South J amieson, and Barkly Rivers. These parties operated from a base camp located on Mt. Skene, and temporary camps were used in the survey of outlying stands. Concurrently with these surveys, tracks suitable for traffic by four-wheeled-drive vehicles were constructed along main ridges for access purposes. The steep and rugged nature of the terrain, adverse weather associated with the high altitude, and unavoidably slow progress in the construction of access tracks limited the volume of survey work which could be completed. Fifteen thousand two hundred and twenty-eight acres comprising principally stands of Alpine.Ash (E. gigantea, Hk. f.) and Messmate Stringybark (E. obliqua, L'Herit.) in the Snake Creek, Edwards Creek, South Jamieson River, Hardwicke's Creek, and Upper Barkly River basins were covered by a 5 per cent. strip survey, using base contour maps prepared from aerial photographs. In addition, general reconnaissance of adjacent stands was carried out for the location of the most suitable access routes in preparation for further surveys to be undertaken during the summer of 1952-53. Summer work in East Gippsland included an extensive reconnaissance of various areas in the Nowa Nowa and Orbost forest districts. The major project comprised timber estimation of fire-killed and fire-damaged stands of Alpine Ash and mixed species in the Roger River and Deddick localities with a view to determining the extent of damage and formulating plans for the salvaging of fire-killed timber. These surveys embraced a total area of 79,370 acres. In addition, a reconnaissance of 12,750 acres of commercial timber stands in the parishes of Detarka and Murrindal East, Nowa Nowa forest district, was carried out. In Bruthen forest district, two . parties were engaged throughout the summer on timber assessment and field topographical mapping of 37,224 acres of State forest in the catchment areas of the Wentworth and Nicholson Rivers and Sandy's Creek. One party completed field work in connexion with site quality mapping and timber assessment of the Bright and Stanley plantations in the north-east, the area surveyed totalling 10,300 acres. MISCELLANEOUS SURVEYS. Reconnaissance and type mapping of unreserved timbered Crown lands bordering the Grampians Forest Reserve in Stawell forest district, were advanced a stage further by the examination of an additional 91,739 acres. This practically completes this particular survey which is primarily designed to ascertain those areas which it is desirable should be reserved for forestry purposes. The total area in this locality surveyed to date is 135,639 acres. Arrangements are in hand for the assessment of commercial timber stands in the vicinity of Mt. Victoria in the Timbarra River watershed, Nowa Nowa forest district. Base lines have been established in the field by survey, and actual assessment and mapping will be commenced at an early date. On behalf of the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission, a survey of timbered areas bounding the Eildon Reservoir, and which will be submerged by the rise in water level when enlargement of the dam is completed, was carried out to determine the quantity of log timber which could economically be recovered prior to submergence and to obtain an estimate of the probable cost of clearing the timber from the various sections. Accurate topographical maps with contour intervals of 10 feet were available for use as the basis for the survey. The area examined totalled 10,876 acres. 12 Associated Pulp and Paper Mills Ltd. were interested during the year in the possibilities of securing supplies of pulpwood from forest areas in the Otway Ranges and, in order to obtain preliminary information as to the available volume of pulpwood, the Company made estimates from type maps prepared by aerial photograph interpretation. With a view to determining the accuracy of the type mapping and volume estimation, the Commission and the Company jointly carried out a field survey, and the opportunity was taken at the same time to obtain information regarding the volume of saw-log timber. The reconnaissance covered a total of 222,116 acres, comprising all State forest within the Beech Forest, Princetown, and Colac military sheets. SuMMARY OF WoRKS. Details of assessment surveys carried out during the year are as under:- Division. Loca.lity or Block. Are:t For">t Di,trkt. Type of Survry. l:!urveyed. ----···--···-- Acres. North-Eastern '' Delatite . ' Blue Ran,ge '' .. Timber assessment and 22,183 contour mapping on 5 per cent. grid Southern . ' Macalister .. Deep Creek '. .. Timber assessment on 5 16,543 per cent. grid Central and North- Woods Point and Goul burn-Jami eso n head- Timber assessment Oll 5 15,228 Eastern Delatite waters per cent. grid South-Western . . Otway East and Otway Ranges .. . . Check reconnaissance of log 222,116 Otway West and pulpwood recourses Central . . Niagaroon . . Eildon . . .. Timber estimation by 10,876 reconnaissance Gippsland . . Bruthen .. Sandy's Creek .. '' Timber assessment and 37,22<1 contour mappmg on 5 per cent. grid Gippsland .. Nowa Nowa . . Timbarra-Buchan Divide Timber assessment and 9,000 contour mapping on 5 (approx.) per cent. grid Gippsland . . Nowa Nowa . . Detarka and Murrindal Timber reconnaissance .. 12,750 East Gippsland . . Orbost '. Roger River . . . . Timber reconnaissance .. 51,270 Gippsland . . Orbost . . Sardine Creek . . . . Timber reconnaissance .. 28,100 Western . . Stawell . . Grampians . . . . Forest type survey .. 91,739 Plantation;; . . Bright ...... Timber assessment and 6,000 site quality mapping (approx.) Plantations . . Scarsdale and ...... Timber assessment and 3,050 Ballarat site quality mapping Plantations '. Stanley ...... Timber assessment and 4,300 site quality mapping (approx.) I ------~------Summary- acres. Grid assessment 100,178 Tim beF reconnaissance 325,112 Type surveys 91,739 Site quality mapping and timber estimation (plantations) 13,350 530,379 MAPPING. Whenever available, plans compiled from aerial photograph! were used as the basis for field surveys. Where these were not available, the aerial photographs themselves were used with advantage, and proved of value as a guide to the location and quality of the timber stands and as a check on field mapping. In the preparation of topographical maps from aerial photographs, the basic machine plotting is undertaken by the Department of Lands and Survey, and the actual drawing by the Commission's dJ'afting staff. 13 To accelerate production of maps of State forest areas by the use of aerial photographs, the Commission has, when necessary, assisted by establishing such horizontal and vertical controls as are required for accurate map compilation. Controls were established by Assessment Branch staff during the year for the mapping of Aire Valley plantation in the Otway district. Base maps of the following blocks were prepared :-Howqua (two sheets), Johnny Cake Creek, Errinundra Plateau (three sheets), Merrijig Creek, Strathbogie North (two sheets), Tallarook Ranges, and Seaton. In addition, 15 stock and 22 type plans were compiled. FOREST ENGINEERING. ROAD CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS. During the year, 493 miles of new forest roads were constructed and maintenance work done over 5,005 miles. New work consisted of major all-weather roads to carry heavy traffic, temporary logging roads, and connecting and access roads. The road system in the King, Howqua, and Delatite catchments was extended towards Delatite Gap, tapping additional stands of Alpine Ash (E. gi!Jantea, Hk, f.). A new road into mixed stringybark-peppermint-gum forests on the Blue Range and a logging road along Ryan's Creek near Toombullup, both in the Delatite forest district, were commenced. Nearly seven miles of road, two formed and over four and a half broken out, were constructed in the Jamieson Valley as a continuation of the projected link with the Licola-Heyfield system in the vicinity of Mt. Skene. The ultimate route which this link will follow has not yet been finally determined, but it is estimated that it will require approximately 20 miles of major construction in difficult terrain. To enable allotted log quotas to be obtained from the Mt. Cole forest, and as a basic requirement for development of the whole plateau, the final location of a further 6 miles of main road was determined, 3 · 2 miles designed and 1 mile constructed. Further work was carried out on the conversion of the Thomson Valley tramline to a main access road which will link eventually with the Tanjil Bren, Toorongo, and Matlock systems. A main extraction and access system has been designed and construction commenced in the Club Terrace locality to serve mills recently licensed in that area. An additional 4 miles was formed or broken out for the Bruthen-Mt. Baldhead network. The unusually wet winter caused severe landslips, particularly in the Otway East forest district where a section of the Kaanglang ridge slid down the hillside, carrying with it about 600 yards of road and damming the East Barwon River. The area moved as a block and is about half a mile long by 500 yards wide parallel to the river. The lowest point in the embankment across the river is about 70 feet above the stream bed, and it ie anticipated that a permanent lake will form. PLANT AND EQUIPMENT. Additions to plant and equipment last year comprised four new and one secondhand crawler tractors. Various items of equipment, such as graders, compressors, welders, winches, and rollers, were purchased to the limit of funds available. Overhauls and repairs were carried out in the Brookwood (549 jobs) and Noojee (209) workshops, and in divisional workshops and by mobile fitters (288). In addition, repair jobs were done on 98 motor vehicles. Divisional fitters were located at Big River, Bright, Broadford, Bruthen, Jamieson, Mirimbah, Orbost, Starvation Creek, and Taggerty. Fourteen major overhauls were done by outside firms, the Commission supplying the majority of spare parts. 14 PLANTATIONS AND NURSERIES. Heavy falls of snow in South Gippsland early in August resulted in some damage to young pine stands. A dry spring and summer, particularly in the north-east, and general heavy winter rainfall, retarded growth in the nurseries and made firming of some young crops necessary. PLANTING OPERATIONS. Planting operations were severely restricted by shortage of funds. One thousand and thirty acres of new p1antings, chiefly P. radiata, D. Don., was less than half that of the previous year. In addition, 29 acres of Mountain Ash (E. regnans, F.V.M.) was planted with tubed stock and 46 acres of clear felled P. radiata naturally restocked. The net increase in plantation area was 1,059 acres. Failures, chiefly in 1950 plantings, were replanted over 3,446 acres. The heavy curtailment of loan funds, particularly severe with respect to plantation establishment, will adversely affect the balanced development of the Commission's softwood plantations. Lack of money prevented any further extension of the Cobra Killuc hardwood plantation project. NURSERY OPERATIONS. Nursery stock had been raised to provide for planting of a much larger area of 8oftwoods than the money available subsequently permitted. Half this surplus stock (525,000 trees) was sold to public bodies and private landholders for shelterbelt and farm plantations. Only 343 lb. (689 lb. in 1950) of coniferous seed were sown. The Commission's nursery activities for the year are shown hereunder:- STocK SuMMARY-PLANTING AND NuRsERY SEASON, 1951. Plants direct from local nurseries used in 1951 planting 1,110,748 Plants supplied ex Creswick, Macedon, Merbein, Wail, and local nurseries to State schools, public bodies, &c. 846,873 Total despatches 1,957,621 Plants raised in nurseries for future plantings : Lined-out in local nurseries from locally-reared stock .. 1,384,800 Advanced stock held in local nurseries 525,050 Seedlings held in drills 202,000 Poplars (cuttings) 7,500 Tubed stock (E. regnans, F.V.M.) 22,000 Total stock .. . . 2,141,350 Conifer seed sown 343 lb. Revenue from sale of trees and shrubs reached a record total of £17,681 12s. 8d., whilst sale of locally-collected seed of P. radiata, D.Don., realized a further £202. NATURAL REGENERATION. Other than on the granitic soil at Mt. Beckwith, where natural reproduction ha~ failed, regeneration from natural seeding continues to develop freely with the progressive opening up of advanced stands and following clear felling. Thinning of previously treated natural regeneration at Yarrowee yielded upwards of 10,000 trees suitable for the 1951 Christmas trade and returned £1,666. 15 CuLTURAL OPERATIONs. Commercial thinnings were carried out over an area of 1,134 acres, and an additional area of 530 acres was pruned and lightly thinned. A liberation treatment to remove competing bracken and other vegetation was carried out over an area of 2,846 acres of young plantations mainly in South Gippsland and at Lower Glenelg. UTILIZATION OF PLANTATION PRODUCE. Output of plantation-grown softwood for the year just closed was the highest so far recorded, and exceeded that of the previous year by approximately 870,000 superficial feet. The yield was as follows : Peeler logs 2,070,978 super. feet H.L.V. O.B. Building and case timber 12,939,601 super. feet H.L.V. O.B. Cellulose pulpwood 171,160 super. feet H.L.V. O.B. 15,181,739 super. feet H.L.V. O.B. Following a revision of royalty rates in November, 1951, the net return from sale of this produce rose to £99,700, an increase of £40,000 on the previous year's collections. The market for peeler and mill logs remained buoyant, but the demand for small case logs (4 inches minimum diameter) has declined. There is a ready sale for all pulpwood (3 inches minimum diameter). EXPERIMENTAL. A further comprehensive series of experimental plots has been established in the Anglesea plantation area to determine the effect of various manurial treatments on the development of pines on podsolized coastal sands. Species under test comprise Pinus radiata, D. Don (1-year seedlings and 1-1 year transplants), Pinus carihaea, More (1-year seedlings) and Pinus pinaster, Aiton (1-year seedlings of the Leiria strain), and two soil types representing deep and shallow sand phases were planted. Manurial treatments consisted of the application of superphosphate, zinc sulphate, copper sulphate, and potassium chloride in all combinations. All plots were pre-cultivated by rotary hoe. Plots consisted of 64-tree units at a planting espacement of 8ft. x 8ft., and were arranged to permit statistical analysis of results. At 30th June, 1952, approximately 9-10 months after date of planting, the only obvious growth response is to superphosphate treatment. In the higher rainfall plantation areas where prolific bracken regrowth follows clearing and burning, establishment costs are considerably inflated by the neceBSity for intensive early liberation treatment. The Commission is investigating the possibility of controlling early growth of bracken by the application of chemical weedicides with the object of at least delaying its development. A series of plots has been laid down on a selected site in the vicinity of Olsen's Bridge in the South Gippsland plantation to test the effects of a number of recently developed chemicals applied at various stages in the growth of the bracken and at different levels. The chemicals under test are ammonium sulphamate, 2,4-D, 2,4,5T, and TCA. FIRE PROTECTION. SEASONAL CONDITIONS. The summer was one of the driest and most severe since 1938-39. November and December rainfalls were much below average with deficiencies of 50 per cent. or more in the North-Eastern and East Gippsland regions. During January, average rainfall was experienced in the western part of the State but elsewhere below average falls were recorded. The dry spell culminated in heat-wave conditions during the middle of January accompanied by aale force northerly winds. 16 February opened with a series of strong north winds with very high temperatures, particularly in the North-east and East Gippsland. Conditions were relieved during the middle of the month by general rain. Although dry conditions prevailed, the latter part of the month was marked by cool southerly winds and cloudy conditions. In March, rainfall was again below average and strong northerly winds and high temperatures were experienced. This was particularly so in the western region where the worst conditions of the summer were encountered. In the months of January, February, and March, " blow up " conditions developed on several days in various parts of the State. In the dry conditions of November, fires occurred early but it was in January and early February that the Central, North-Eastern, and East Gippsland regions suffered their most severe fires. Despite early dry conditions, it was not until the end of March and early April that the Western region suffered its worst fires. During J a:riuary and February, many serious grass fires occurred and several lives were lost. Owing to the high danger, it became necessary to extend the Prohibited Period to the end of March in parts of Central, North-Eastern, Southern, and Gippsland Divisions. Elsewhere it expired normally on March 15th. Under the Country Fire Authority Act, acute fire danger days were proclaimed on seven occasions. ORIGIN AND INCIDENCE OF FIRES. The total number of fires attended by Forests Commission staff during the season was 439. Of these, 227 originated in State forest, and 180 on private property within the "fire protected area," of which latter 130 were confined thereto, and 49 spread to State forest and one to a National Park. Thirty-two outbreaks originated outside the "fire protected area" and five of these, including four from New South "\Vales, spread into State forest. The 282 fires which affected State forests burned over an area of 1,031,379 acres, including 1,620 acres of National Park. The area burned is the largest since 1939, being about one-third of the area affected in that year. Unlike 1939, when the main commercial timber stands of the State were devastated, fires this year were in the main confined to areas carrying scrub and stands of little commercial value. Where stands of higher value were affected, intensive damage occurred only in isolated patches. Very little of the country burned in 1939 suffered this year. During the season, six major fires accounted for 67 per cent. of the total State forest area burned. Of these, three occurred in East Gippsland in the Bemm River, Deddick River and Wentworth River localities, embracing an area of 382,648 acres in the Bruthen, N owa Nowa, Orbost, and Cann River forest districts. The largest of these fires spread from a tourist's camp fire and burned over 197,000 acres before it was brought under control. In the Upper Murray forest district, three separate outbreaks, the largest of which came from New South "\Vales, merged and spread over an area of 163,000 acres. ~\.lthough little damage was done to timber stands, severe losses were incurred on adjoining pastoral areas. The average area per fire was 3,657 acres compared with the previous season's average of 894 acres and the annual average over the past decade of 1,114 acres. Districts reporting the greatest number of outbreaks were Orbost, 43; Castlemaine, 25; and Nowa Nowa, 22. 17 CAUSES OF FIRES. A summary of the known or suspected causes of outbreaks is given in the following table 1951-52. Percentage for Cause. 10 Years Ended 1951-52. Number of Outbreaks. Percentage. Settlers and landholders i7 19·9 19·6 Grazing interests .. 12 3·1 13·4 Sportsmen, campers, and tourists 28 7·2 12·0 Licensees and forest workers 26 6·7 11·6 Deliberate lighting 55 14·2 12·3 Smokers ...... 27 7·0 4·9 Children and rabbiters ...... 18 4·7 2·5 Tractors and locomotives ...... 29 7·5 5·9 Lightning ...... 42 10·9 9·3 Jliliscellaneous known causes ...... 46 11·9 8·5 Restarts ...... 11 2·8 recorded From other States ...... 4 1·0 over 10-year Cars aml trucks ...... 12 3·1 period 387 .. . . Unknown ...... 52 . . . . 439 100·0 100·0 ; • SuMMARY oF FIRES AND AREA BuRNED BY DiviSIONs. : Number of Fires Within Fire Protected Area. Area of Number of I Total Number ~'orest Division. State Forest I Fires Attended of Fires Burned. Affecting State r Confined to Outside F.P.A. Attended. ]!'orest and Private Total. ! National Parks. Property. Acres. Gippsland . . .. 642,115 72 13 85 2 87 Southern .. . . 10,232 27 30 57 4 61 Central ...... 1,230 24 20 I 44 3 47 r North-Eastern . . .. 178,?97 I 43 24 ; 67 13 80 Northern .. . . 1,D31 : 35 10 45 1 46 Western . . .. 144,824 34 8 42 . . 42 South-Western . . .. 52,895 47 25 72 4 76 I I Total>; .. 1,031,379 i 282 130 412 27 439 ' i LAW ENFORCEMENT. Proceedings for breaches of the fire prevention provisions of the Forests Acts and Regulations during 1951-52 season were taken in fifteen cases, resulting in fourteen convictions. One case was adjourned. \Yarning and reprimand letters were addressed to fourteen persons where either offences were purely technical or evidence was insufficient to support a successful prosecution. 1\:loNTHLY OuTBREAKs OF FIRE. Division. October. ! November. December. January. ! February. I March. April. Total. I Gippsland ...... : 33 16 15 4 I I 18 1 87 Sout.hern ...... 8 8 22 6 17 . . 61 Central ...... 2 3 5 11 9 15 2 47 ~ orth-Eastern ...... 4 12 25 11 26 2 80 Northern . . .. 1 5 6 21 11 1 i 1 46 Western . . .. 3 4 6 8 5 15 i 1 42 South·\Vestern ...... I 2 26 4 13 14 10 I 7 76 i i i i Totals .. . . 8 83 57 115 60 102 : 14 439 ; l I ! I I 3088/53.-2 18 DETECTION. District fire location maps were prepared for Mallacoota, Cann Valley, Orbost, Nowa Nowa, Bruthen, Omeo, Briagolong, Upper MuiTay, Chiltern, Beechworth, and Upper Ovens forest districts. New lookout towers were constructed in Dandenong, Cann Valley, and Erica forest districts, and in Lower Glenelg plantation, and five additional observation points were established in lVIacalister, Yarram, Stawell, and Delatite districts. Orders were placed for an additional 30 sighting alidades for use at permanent lookouts. AIRCRAFT. Two aircraft, one based on Laverton and one on East Sale were provided by R.A.A.F. for aerial patrol and reconnaissance as required. Seven flights were made from Sale and two from Laverton. Direct expenditme on fire suppression work during the season amounted to £47,811. EQUIPMENT. During the year, eight Coventry Climax trailer pumps, 30 portable high-pressure Pacific Marine pumpers and 30 Rex centrifugal pumps were acquired. Over 20,000 lineal feet of linen hose were supplied to orders already placed, leaving 29,000 feet outstanding but expected before the next fire season. Three water tankers, each of 400 gallons capacity and built to the Commission's ow:n specifications, were delivered and orders placed for three additional units. Six tankers on loan from R.A.A.F. were recalled during the year. The Commission's fire protection workshop was transferred from North Melbourne to Brookwood. During the year personnel from this centre attended fires in the Stawell, Upper Murray, and Wombat districts. TRAINING ScHooLs. Divisiona I schools of instruction for the training of personnel in the use and maintenance of pumpers and other fire-fighting equipment were held in six country centres during the year. PUBLIC RELATIONS. Since HO per cent. of all forest fires in Victoria are caused by human agency, the need for public education as a means of reducing the number of outbreaks is quite apparent and in pursuance of its policy of extending this work a full time officer was appointed to these duties. Visual education plays a prominent part in fire protection and during the year public lectures and the screening of appropriate films averaged three shows per week. During the fire danger season popular holiday resorts where the risk of outbreak of fire is high were given special attention. A new film dealing ''tith fire prevention and suppression is now under production. Advertising in appropriate journals and periodicals was continued whilst posters were exhibited where they could be serviceable. An exhibit was staged at the Royal Show and numerous radio talks were given throughout the year. The public was kept informed of actual fires by factual data supplied to the press and radio stations. Commission personnel co-operated to the fullest extent possible with other firt'-fighting organizations. TELECOMMUNICATIONS. A. Radw. As a result of a new international agreement for the allocation of types of services t(> particular parts of the frequency spectrum, the Postrnaster-Generars Department requin·d the Commission to move its radio service to the slightly lower frequencieH of 2612 keH., 2728 kcs., and 2792 kes. This involved costly replacement of 415 qwntz crystals in 19 transmitters and fixed frequency receivers and the addition of 1,100 new components to give rated performance on the new frequencies. All necessary modifications were made by Commission staff. The new frequencies provide a satisfactory service although the reduction in channel separation from 10 kcs. to 8 kcs. is causing some inconvenience. During the year, one of five mobile radio stations ordered was delivered and installed but, because of the work involved in the frequency conversions, an effective aerial system with skyward directivity has not been developed. A 50-watt battery operated transmitter was designed and is being constructed in the Commission's radio laboratory for installation at Noorinbee. Six additional radiophones were installed, bringing the total to 186 licensed portable stations in addition to 27 fixed stations. The signals van, fully equipped as a mobile station, was used for the first time in the north-east during the fires in that area. This unit, together with five portable stations established in the area, was instrumental in maintaining communications at· a time when public facilities were disrupted. A radio technician was on duty in the Upper 1\'Iurray forest district for three weeks during the height of the fire season. B. Telephones. Materials have been in adequate supply. Fifteen new services were provided, and eight cancellations occurred. PROTECTIVE 'VORKS. The following is a summary of protective works carried out during the year :- (a) Tracks, breaks and control strips Length of uew firebreaks constructed .. 62 miles Length of new firelines constructed 10 miles Length of new patrol tracks constructed 14 miles Area of protective strip and patch burning 64,746 acres (b) Water conservation works- Dams constructed- 400 cubic yards and over 17 Less than '400 cubic yards 20 Dams and wa terholes cleaned, extended, or repaired 105 Weirs and tanks constructed .. 4 Springs or holes on creeks cleared out .. 58 (c) Other works- New fire towers constructed .. 5 New lookout stations established 5 Dugouts constructed- By the Commission 6 Bv other interests 11 New telephone lines erected or acquired 6 miles Fire-places constructed 35 New roadside fire signs erected 7 PROSECUTIONS. The following is a summary of proceedings taken during the year in relation to all forest offences :- Number of convictions .. 42 Number of cases dismissed 1 Number of charges withdra·wn 1 Total number of prosecutions 44 Cases under Police Offences Act .. 8 Cases under Country Fire Authority Act 3 £ Amount of fines 61B .Amount of costs 73 Amount of compensation 646 20 UTILIZATION. SAWN TnmER STATISTics. ~he output of timber sawn from Victorian-grownlogs reached a new peak at 314,282,000 superficial feet which represents an increase of 29,623,000 feet over the record production attained in the previous year. An analysis of output grades reveals a phenomenal increase of approximately 26,000,000 feet of scantling quality but a decreased outturn of case timber to the extent of approximately 6,500,000 feet compared with the preceding twelve months. The following table gives a summary of the position during the past five years Sawn Timber Production in 1,000's of superficial feet from Victorian-produced Logs only, e:J;duding Output from Imported Logs and Flitches. ------~------~--~·· ------~-· Hard woods. Softwoods. --~ ------Year. Grand Total. State Private Forest. Property. Total. Total. 1947-48 .. 167,546 56,435 228,981 :-'1,775 11,0·!0 l\),815 213,796 1948-49 171,306 55,088 226,394 1'1,982 9,984 18,n46 245,340 1949-50 .. 191,049 66,222 257,271 9,315 9,098 18,413 275,684 1950-51 200,533 66,571 267,104 8,062 9,493 17,555 284,659 1951--52 .. 225,946 66,876 292,822 9,846 11,61-i 21,460 :n4,282 TIMBER PRODUCTION. The year under review was c}laracterized by a dramatic change in market conditions which set in early in 1952. For the first half of the financial vear, all classes of timber were in short supply ;:md a seller's market still prevailed, but during the last six months of the year the demand for scantling was seriously depressed. The market became very selective with the result that practically all sawmillers have been embarrassed by the steady accumulation of scantling stocks. 'rhis resulted in the closure of some small mills which were mainly converting lower gTade logs and a return by the industry to better standards of sa\'\ring and grading. The outturn of hardwood logs from departmental operations was 61,392,430 superficial feet, representing a decrease of 7,868,262 feet compared with the previous financial year. The Central Division is still the principal source from which such logs are obtained, production being 45,807,898 superficial feet, a decrease of 4,670,183 feet compared "'rith the previous year's output. Although departmental log production has been maintained at a steady level, the Commission has been faced with increasing difficulties in providing the necessary access roads in advance of logging operations. Shortage of logging and road construction equipment was primarily responsible for the lower output. The necessity to raise log quality to conform with customer's requirements for quality rather than quantity results in lower yeilds per acre, necessitates greater length of road to maintain the same log volume output, and lowers the royalty return per acre from the forest. Timbered areas are cut over more quickly and the future operating span of mills which depend on supplies from departmental operations must inevitably be reduced. Having regard to quality and price-factors, the Commission cannot ensure to millers the same flow of logs in future years as has been provided in the past, a situation which will undoubtedly cause concern. Millers established in metropolitan and suburban areas, will be the first to be affected as a result of the reduced output as it must be recognized that from the point of view of damage to roads, wear and tear on vehicles and similar factors it is uneconomic to haul timber in log form past mills established in the country which are prepared to convert from log to sawn. Silvicultural fellings have continued to yield a supplementary supply of logs for licenced operators. This work was continued mainly in the Heywood, Daylesford, and Wombat forest districts but in some instances operations were considerably reduced O\'\''ing to lack -of funds. Similar treatment in the Red Gum areas in Barmah, Stawell, and Cohuna forest districts yielded 1,447,247 superficial feet of mill logs. The annual outturn of logs from lVIt. Cole and Mt. Lonach in the Beaufort forest district reached 9,881,335 superficial feet, representing an increase of 577,965 feet compared with the previous year. The whole of this volume was delivered to local millers. The Commission has received requests to · increase substantially allocations from these forests, but considers that any increase will ultimately react to the detriment of millers depending on this area for their supplies. 21 Economic conditions, together with the advent of the fibre-board container, have had serious effects on the case timber industry. Customers have become more exacting in their demands and most firms are finding difficulty in disposing of the narrow cuts from small logs. The market for such logs of mixed species for conversion to case timber has practically ceased to exist, and the forester can no longer fully avail himself of the management and silvicultural values to be derived from their removal. Sewmilling centres are steadily becoming established in the more remote parts of the State-e.g., Bruthen, Club Terrace, Buchan, and Bullumwaal in East Gippsland. Mills at Mansfield and Heyfield increased their log intake, and although not yet cutting to full capacity, an increased supply of high grade seasoning timber has been available to meet market needs. On a royalty basis, mills in the more distant areas are equated to those nearer the market, but it is known that the uncertain future is causing some conct>rn to millers who have been granted log allocations in the farther East Gippsland areas. An allocation at Bendock in favour of the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Authority was not taken up because of increased availability of timber from established millers to meet its requirements. All timber-getting operations throughout the State were seriously affected by phenomenal weather, particularly in the Otways and Gippsland where extremely wet conditions caused serious interruption to bush operations early in 1952. Winter log reserves suffered accordingly. As at the 30th June, 1952, 1,427,397,912 superficial feet of fire-killed logs had been milled, dumped, and salvage-felled, and of that quantity 1,392,543,049 feet utilized to that date. This represents 476,543,049 feet actually converted in excess of the estimated recoverable volume of 916,000,000 superficial feet. In its efforts to conserve advanced regrowth in many fire-killed stands, the Commission further curtailed salvage operatiom during the year. In the north-west of the State the utilization of dry native pine timber has proceeded steadily, and it is estimated that supply of this class of material should last for several more years. During the year the Commission supplied extensive pole and pile orders, the two principal users being the P.M.G .'s Department and the Australian Wheat Board. In the early part of the year the scarcity of sawn Red Gum compelled the Housing Commission to seek an alternative for house blocks and clothes-line posts. The problem was overcome by supply of split house blocks and round poles of Red Gum and Red Ironbark for use in various housing estates in both metropolitan and country areas PULPWOOD PRODUCTION. At a total production of 1,888,352 cubit feet, pulpwood procurement increased by 424,924 cubic feet compared with the previous year. Australian Paper Manufacturers Ltd. extended operations by its contractor in both green and fire-killed mountain ash and alpine ash, the bulk of procurement being from fire-killed stands. There was a small increase in pulpwood obtained from pine plantations, and in the output from mixed foot-hill forests. Preliminary arrangements are in hand for the preparation of a working plan to prescribe primarily for pulpwood production in the Boola Boola forest in the Erica forest district. Details of pulpwood production for 1951-52 are as follows :- H ardwoods- Cubic Eeet. Bruthen 18,490 Erica . . 934,441 N eerim 528,839 Toolangi 13,747 Upper Yarra 20,656 Wood's Point 352,623 Yarram 1,100 Radiata Pine- Scarsdale Plantation 15,271 Frankston Plantation 2,330 Narbethong Plantation 500 Toorongo Plantation 355 1,888,352 Summary Ash billets 913,146 Mixed species billets 947,933 Hardwood mill waste 8,817 Softwood cellulose pulpwood 18,456 1,888,352 3088/53-S 22 PRODUCTION OF EMERGENCY FIREWOOD. Production of emergency firewood was continued in the early months of this financial year on the same basis as last year, but owing to heavy retrenchment of labour at the beginning of 1952, production had practically ceased by the end of June, 1952, when the services of most European migrants engaged on day-labour and contract production of firewood were terminated. At the close of the financial year, five migrants were engaged on production as compared with 210 last year. The quantity of wood produced for the year was 88,048 tons measure as against 131,613 tons for the previous year. The number of depots operating in the metropolitan area was reduced from five to four when the Victorian Railways Commissioners requested the Commission to vacate the Toorak depot. The amount of wood stored in the depots at the commencement of 1951-52 was 10,966 tons measure as against 25,490 tons the previous year. The total amount of wood distributed by the Commission for the financial year to wood merchants, Government Departments, schools, &c. was 69,000 tons weight as compared with 50,577 tons in 1950-51. Of this quantity 40,410 tons were distributed from the metropolitan depots and 28,590 tons direct by rail and road. OUTPUT OF PRODUCE FROM STATE FORESTS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1951-52. 1. TIMBER AND FIREWOO.D. Mill logs and case logs-hardwood 376,575,500 super. feet Logs-softwood 15,010,579 super. feet Fencing material- Posts, strainers and stays 2,409,020 number Droppers 324,681 number Pickets 3,484 number Palings 8,436 number Rails .. 41,867 number Beams 913,727 super. feet Sleepers Railway 266,120 number Other 97,686 number Piles 150,121 lineal feet Poles and spars- Telegraph and e]ectric light 416,058 lineal feet Miscellaneous, including spars 969,799 lineal feet .Jiining timbers 58,035 lineal feet Bridge timbers 93,917 lineal feet Pulpwood 1,888,352 cubic feet Sundries- Laths 450 number Staves 18,934 number Stakes 4,118 number Slabs 11,953 number Chopping blocks 4, 715 number House blocks .. 124,491 number Firewood- Green and dry 794,621 tons measure Tops and dry longwood 13,522 tons measure Emergency firewood .. 76,239 tons weight 2. MINOR PRODUCTS. Eucalyptus oil 226,569 lb. Kino 2,466 lb. Wattle bark 231 tons Charcoal .. 130 tons Sand, gravel, loam, and stone 497,640 cubic yards 23 DETERMINATION OF SAvVMILLING ROYALTY RATES. After two years' experience with the royalty equation system, both the Commission and the Victorian Sawmillers' Association are convinced that the basic principles of the system should be retained, although, as originally anticipated, some modifications in detail have been found necessary. Generally, the system is considered to have achieved its objects, viz., to create and maintain a substantial measure of equation amongst sawmillers in respect of transport costs and log quality, and to stimulate the development of the sawmilling industry in the more remote forest areas. The royalty equation system has been applied to utilization in Pinus ra&iata, D.Don, plantations and, during the coming year, it is proposed to extend the system to Red Gum operations, and to investigate the desirability of including additional variable factors in all royalty determinations. Sharp increases in wages, ·rates and prices of material and equipment have greatly increased administration and working expenses throughout the whole of the Commission's activities. This made unavoidable an increase in hardwood log royalty rates ·and, accordingly, as from 1st :March, 1952, a general increase averaging 3s. per 100 superficial feet on hardwood logs (other than Red Gum logs) became operative. At the same time, the Prices Decontrol Commission increased the maximum wholesale prices of sawn timber to cover freight and royalty increases, as well as accumulated rises in other sawmilling costs. INDUSTRIAL CONDITIONS AND EMPLOYMENT. INDUSTRIAL. Apart from basic wage increases totalling 35s., wages and conditions of the Commission's employees working under awards and determinations of wage-fixing tribunals have not undergone any marked change during the last twelve months. The transfer of a large number of forest foremen under 55 years of age to permanent positions in the Technical and General Division of the Public Service is proceeding. Foremen over the age of 55 years will be transferred to temporary positions under the Public Service Board. The number of accidents to employees reported during the year was 394, representing a decrease of 249 compared with the previous year's total, due mainly to reduction of the labour force to a core of the most experienced and efficient employees. In this regard the following figures are of interest :- Analysis of Length of Service of Employees as at 30th June, 1952. Length of Service, Number of Employees. Less than 3 months .. 5 3 months to 6 months 76 6 months to 12 months 89 170 1 year to 1t years 73 I! years to 2t years .. 119 2t years to 5 years . , 184 376 5 years to 10 years 236 236 10 years to 20 years 211 211 Over 20 years 45 45 1,038 No major industrial dispute occurred during the year, the Commission's long record of industrial peace remaining uninterrupted. The Commission desires to express its appreciation of the co-operation and assistance given by officials of the various employees' organizations concerned and by all employees in maintaining that harmony essential for the successful prosecution of forest works. 24 EMPLOYMENT. Reduction in available funds compelled the Commission to reduce its labour force. The number of employees decrea!'ed during the year from 1,796 to 1,038. The labour turnover, which previously was very high, has now almost disappeared, and a higher degree of efficiency in performance should be achieved than is possible when a job suffers from frequent changes in personnel. The Commission IS still experiencing difficulty in obtaining fitters and mechanics for plant maintenance. INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS. STATE SAWMILL, ERICA. Output of sawn timber for the year totalled 1,326,899 superficial feet, being a decrease of 55,974 feet compared with the previous year. The pulpwood outturn amounted to 8,817 cubic feet, or an increase of 1, 909 cubic feet. Minor plant breakdowns occurred in the mill and adverse weather conditions affected bush operations. On an average, log quality was slightly lower than formerly, and output was mainly in scantling quality timber, the bulk of which was either railed direct to other public departments or despatched to the Commission's Newport depot for re-distribution. Towards the end of the year, deterioration in the scantling market, together with the cancellation of orders for large dimensional timbers, presented some difficulties, but accumulation of scantling stocks is not serious. All seasoning quality timber produced was delivered to the State Seasoning Works, Newport. STATE SEASONING 'VORKS, NEWPORT. Although the ·works operated on a satisfactory basis, supply difficulties were experienced. The outturn was principally floorings, weatherboards, mouldings, and board timber, practically all of which was sold to Government contractors or direct to Government Departments. A larger volume of scantling timber from the State Mill was marketed in association with seasoning lines, but, except to fulfil special orders, the output of cases and case timbers was almost discontinued. Seasoning and re-conditioning was also carried out on behalf of other Government Departments. The installation of a new band re-saw was commenced, and preliminary work was commenced on construction of new re-conditioning chambers. STORES CONTROL. The operation of the Forests Stores Suspense Account will commence on 1st July, 1952, preliminary arrangements having been completed and the necessary punched card accounting machinery installed. BUILDING CONSTRUCTION. Residences commenced last year at Stawell, Forrest, Lavers Hill, and Mitta Mitta were completed. New staff residences have been constructed at Dry Creek and Murrindindi, in the Niagaroon forest district. Two foremen's houses at Bruthen and one at Tawonga, in the Upper Ovens forest district, were commenced. Extensive alterations and remodelling were carried out to the district officer's residence at Mansfield, and to a number of residences in other centres. Two houses were purchased during the year-one at Blackwood, in the Wombat forest district, to house a foreman, and one in the township of Erica to accommodate an assistant forester. Work commenced last year on the construction of store and garage buildings at Heyfield and Orbost was completed, and furt.her work was carried out on the engineering workshop at Orbost. 25 At Club 'rerrace, in the Cam1 Valley forest district, a roading camp for 25 men and a building for office and staff accommodation were built. Exte!l8ive additions and improvements were made to Kalatha Saddle camp, in the Toolangi forest district. The new building at Brookwood for engineering stores, commenced last year, was completed with the laying of the concrete floor and the installation of standard racking for storage of equipment. An old stores building at Brookwood was remodelled to house the Fire Protection Branch workshop. Extensive renovations and improvements to the School of :B'orestry, Creswick, were commenced. FOREST PESTS. Following upon the sudden influx in volume of European sawn softwood infested with Sirex wood wasps, to which reference was made in last year's report, a Sirex Wasp Committee of Inquiry was constituted by the Commonwealth Government on representations from the Victorian Government "to examine all matters related to the importation of soft wood timber infected or likely to be infected with the Sirex Wood Wasp and to make recommendations regarding the desirability of intensifying, maintaining, or relaxing the quarantine precautions being taken to prevent this pest being established in Australia." The Committee heard evidence in all Australian States and in New Zealand, and made i!l8pections and inquiries wherever possible. The Committee concluded its inquiries m May but its report has not yet been released. The Plant Quarantine Service has intercepted many more cargoes of timber and timber products containing live larvae, pupae, and adults of species of Sirex during the year under review. The Commission takes this opportunity of recording its appreciation of the close co-operation and keen interest displayed by the Chief Quarantine Officer and his staff. The investigations initiated last year into the disease known as "dead-topping" affecting a number of the Commission's pine plantations were continued. From results to date, it appears probable that the primary cause of the disorder is physiological, but further research is necessary before a final determination is possible. EDUCATION. ScHOOL OF FoRESTRY, CRESWICK. Of the nine students admitted to the school in February, 1949, the following have successfully completed the three years' course of study and have been appointed to the professional staff of the Department :- R. K. Rowe, P. T. C. Morrison, K. F. Gerraty, G. R. Williams, G. L. Doran, I. T. Sherwen. I. L. Clayfield, Eight students were admitted to commence the school course in February, 1952, bringing the total number of students enrolled for the current academic year to 27. 'rhe Victorian Sawrnillers' Association prizes for 1951 were awarded to the following students :- Third year student R. K. Rowe Second year student J. S. M. Murray First year student A. W. Webb The Barrell prize was awarded to I. L. Clayfield. 26 The following table shows the number of applications and the number of students admitted to Creswick over the past ten years :- Number of Number of Entrance Year to Creswick. Applications. Students Admitted. 1952 ...... 12 8 1951 ...... 23 8 1950 ...... 21 12 1949 ...... 15 I 9 1948 24 12 1947 41 12 1946 39 13 1945 .. I 39 10 1944 36 12 1943 23 5 1942 31 6 I ~--···-·--~~·----·-·-·-·------·-----···--·-···--·------····---~··- The Commission has received with regret the resignation of Professor S. M. Wadham, Professor of Agriculture at the Melbourne University, as Chairman of the Forest Board of Examiners. Professor Wadham had held this position for a period of fourteen years and his knowledge of educational problems and intense interest in forestry rendered his advice and guidance in the administration of the Cres\\rick School of greatest value to the Commission. He is succeeded in the chairmanship by Sir John Medley, until recently Vice-Chancellor of Melbourne University, who has been a member of the Board for the past twelve years. UNIVERSI'rY OF MELBOURNE. Messrs. L. B. \Villiams and B. G. Molland were successful in being awarded the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Forestry) and, on completion of their course, resumed duty on the Commission's staff. Messrs. R. G. Hodges, I. F. Hibbins, T. E. Arthur, K. J. Simpfendorfer, M. L. A. Boucher, S. W. Calder, and A. R. Eddy have commenced the final year of the forestry degree course and Mr. H. B. Day the final year of the B.C.E. course. Messrs. L. B. Simpfendorfer and R. J. Grose, each of whom is a graduate of Creswick, were enrolled and commenced study at the University for the Bachelor of Science (Forestry) degree. One officer is continuing his studies at his own expense. DIPLOMA OF FORESTRY. Diplomas of Forestry were awarded during the year to the following officers on subjects as set out against their respective names :- A. H. A. Beetham-" Aspects of Forest Practice in the Regenerated Areas of the Upper Latrobe Valley." J. A. McKinty-·-" The Distribution of Eucalypt Species in the County of Wonnangatta and adjacent Parts of North Gippsland with reference to Physiographic and Climatic Factors." FoREST AssEssMENT ScHOOL. Twelve staff officers who graduated from the Creswick School at the end of 1952 attended a three-months intensive course of theoretical and practical training in forest assessment and mapping at the Kinglake \Vest forest camp during the summer. VISUAL PUBLICITY. The Commission's 16 m.m. projection unit gave 115 screenings to audiences estimated at 16,800. Thirteen screenings were at theatres in country towns, 17 at schools, and 85 before various groups, societies, and associations. At each of these sessions, a talk on forestry or an allied subject was given. Production of a fire prevention publicity film " Calling VL3AA " scheduled to run for 35 minutes is proceeding. Photography has been completed, and the finished film should be ready by the coming summer. · 27 STAFF. Mr. F. G. Gerraty, Chairman of the Commission, left Australia in April on a six months' tour to study current forestry administration and timber utilization organization. In the course of his overseas trip he will visit the United Kingdom, France, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Norway, and Sweden, where he will make a special survey of integration of wood-using industries, modern methods of handling timber in the forest and factory, and similar technical developments designed to promote closer utilization of forest products and which could be applied in this State. Mr. Gerraty will later proceed to Canada to attend the Sixth British Commonwealth Forestry Conference, and expects to return to Victoria in October. In the absence of Mr. Gerraty overseas, Mr. A. 0. Lawrence is acting as Chairman of the Commission and Mr. H. D. Galbraith, Chief Inspector, has been appointed Acting Commissioner. Mr. E. R. Torbet, Fire Protection Officer, spent ten weeks in August, September, and October, 1951, on a visit to Canada and the United States of America as one of two Australian delegates on a fire protection study tour organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations Organization. The Conference was attended by representatives of 25 nations and all phazes of modern forest fire-protection technique and organization were studied. The following senior appointments were effected during the year:- Mr. A. W. Shillinglaw, B.Sc. (Melb.), Dip.For. (Ores.), Assistant Chief Inspector. Messrs. C. W. Elsey, H. R. Parke, and A. H. Beetham, Divisional Working Plans Officers. 28 STATEMENT OF FORESTRY FUND AS AT 30TH JUNE, 1952. £ 8. d. £ s. d. ' £ 8. d. £ 8. d. 1952. 1951. June 30th. July 1st. To Expenditure By Balance brought forward 78,856 Hi 2 Forests 411,73!1 6 8 Receipts during the year~ Plantations 37,561 12 6 Amount set aside by the Nurseries 11,619 17 1 Treasurer of Victoria under General 19,339 14 10 Act No. 3685------480,260 11 1 Section 37 (2) (a) 40,000 0 0 BaJanc• 144,500 l!J 6 Section 37 (2) (b) 505,904 14 5 545,!)04 14 5 624,761 10 7 624,761 10 7 1952. July 1st. By Balance carried forward 144,500 1!) 6 SUMMARY OF LOAN EXPENDITURE FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1951-52. £ 8. d. £ 8. d. Authorized under Act 5333 17,619 lO 8 Act 5405 25,489 5 7 Act 5499 499,640 1 11 Act 5588 847,251 1 10 1,390,000 0 0 Less- Credits to State Loans Repayment Fund .. 388,348 16 11 1,001,651 3 1 UNDER ITEMS. £ 8. d. £ 8. d. Item 1 Utilization 343,069 18 10 Item 2 Fire Protection 269,494 9 4 Item 3 General Forest Operations 167,716 12 6 Item 4 Timber Extraction Roads 241,262 3 3 Item 5 Planations · 90,408 9 5 Item 6 Fixed Assets 70,859 17 7 Item 7 Plant and Machinery 182,593 13 lO Item 8 Pprehase of Land 24,594 15 3 Item 9 Forest Stores Suspense Account 1,390,000 0 0 Less- Credits to Stat~ Loans Repayment Fund .. 388,348 16 11 1,001,651 3 1 SUMMARY OF DEPARTMENTAl, COLLECTIONS DURING FINANCIAL YEAR 191H--52. £ s. d. No 2 Interest 1 17 6 No. 3 Territorial 1,091,809 8 !l No. 4 Public Works 110,838 6 11 No. 6-7 Fees, &c. 489 16 1 No. 8 Departmental 293,536 13 1 No. 9 Miscellaneous 4,1122 5 10 State Loans Repayment Fund 388,348 16 11 Repa.yments to Expenditure 35,402 14 0 Total 1, 1}25,349 l!) 29 STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURE FROM LOANS CURRENT DURING THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1951-52. EXPENDITURJi:. AuTHORIZATioN. £ 8. d. £ '· d. £ 8. d. £ 8. d. 1949. 194.8. June 30. July 1. Under Act No. 5333- Amount authorized under Act Item 1, Utilization .. 185,184 17 9 No. 5333- Item 2, Fire Protection 178,919 9 11 Item I, Utilization 390,000 0 0 Item 3, General Forest Opera Item 2, Fire Protection Works 300,000 0 0 tions 153,471 14 6 Item 3, General Forest Opera- Item 7, Plant and Machinery 70,000 0 0 tions 260,000 0 0 587,576 2 2 Item 4, Timber Extraction Roads 130,000 0 {) Item 5, Plantations .. 100,000 0 0 Item 6, Fixed Assets 50,000 0 0 1950. Item 7, Plant and l\lachincry 70,000 0 0 June 30. It-em 8, Purchase of Land 100,000 0 0 Under Act No. 5333- 1,400,000 0 0 I tem 1, Utilization .. 204,815 2 3 Item 2, Fire Protection 121,080 10 1 1949. Item 3, General Forest Opera tions 106,528 5 6 July 1. Item 4, Timber Extraction Amount authorized under Act Roads 130,000 0 0 No. 5405- Item 5, Plantations .. 100,000 0 0 I tem 1, Utilization 350,000 0 0 Item 6, Fixed Assets 26,316 9 8 Item 2, Fire Protection Works 450,000 0 0 Item 8, Purchase of Land 24,778 12 0 Item 3, General Forest Opera- 713,518 19 6 tions 200,000 0 0 Item 4, Timber Extraction Roads 250,000 0 0 1951. Item 5, Plantations .. 200,000 0 0 Item 6, Fixed Assets 100,000 0 0 June 30. Item 7, Plant and Machinery 350,000 0 0 Under Act No. 5333- Item 8, Purchase of Land 100,000 0 0 ------2,000,000 Item 6, Fixed Assets 23,683 10 4 0 0 Item 8, Purcha.~e of Land 40,731 5 6 64,414 15 10 1950. July 1. Amount authorized under Act 1952. No, 5499- June 30. Item 1, Utilization .. 330,000 0 0 Under Act No. 5333- Item 2, Fire Protection Works 350,000 0 0 Item 8. Purchase of Land 17,619 10 8 Item 3, General Forest Opera. tions 250,000 0 0 Item 4, Timber Extraction Roads 200,000 0 0 1950. Item 5, Plantations .. 200,000 0 0 June 30. Item 6, Fixed Assets 20,000 0 0 Item 7, Plant and Machinery 300,000 0 0 Under Act No. 5405- Item 8, Purchase of Land .. 10,000 0 0 ltem 1, Utilization .. 80,178 6 9 Item 9, For payment into a Item 2, Fire Protection 194,961 16 1 Forests Stores Suspense Item 3, General Forest Opera Account .. 100,000 0 0 tions 98,448 16 7 1,760,000 0 0 Item 4, Timber Extraction Roads 86,205 4 Item 5, Plantations .. 63,123 14 0 1951. Item 7, Plant and Machinery 246,689 17 10 769,607 15 4 ,July L Amount authorized under Act No. 5588- 1951. Item l, Utilization 350,000 0 0 Item 2, Fire Protection 320,000 0 0 June 30. Item 3, General Forest Opera- Under Act No. 5405- tions 200,000 0 0 Item 1, Utilization .• 267,591 7 5 Item 4, Timber Extraction Item 2, Fire Protection 251,934 13 8 Roads 220,000 0 0 Item 3, General Forest Opera Item 5, Plantations .. 100,000 0 0 tions 99,789 16 7 Item 6. Fixed Assets 80,000 0 0 Item 4, Timber Extraction Item 7, Plant and J\bchinery 250,000 0 0 Roads 162,426 16 0 Item 8. Purchase of Land .. 30,000 0 0 Item 5, Plantations .. 135,169 2 11 Item 9. For payment into a Forests Stores Item 6, Fixed Assets 54,537 7 2 Ruspense Item 7, Plant and Machinery 103,310 2 2 Account .. 100,000 0 0 Item 8, Purchase of Land ,650,000 0 {) -----1,074,759 5 11 6,810,000 0 0 LeBs authorizatione canrelled- Act 5333 16,870 11 10 1952. Act 5405 130,143 13 2 June 30. Act 5499 80;),807 7 7 Under Act No .•5405- 956,821 12 7 Jtem 6. Fixed Assets 25,489 5 7 956,821 12 7 Ca,rried forwa,rd 3,252,98/l 1!'i 0 Carried forward 5,853,178 7 5 30 STATEMENT OF ExPENDITURE FROM LoANS CuRRENT DURING THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1951-52-~onlinlled. ExPENDITURE. AUTHORIZATION. £ 8. d. £ s. d. £ 8. d. £ 8. d. £ s. d. £ 8. d. Brought forward .. 3,252,985 15 0 Brought forward .. 5,853,178 7 5 1951. June 30. Under Act No. 5499- ltem 1, Utiliza- tion 35,568 10 Item 2, Fire Protection . . 38,785 12 3 Item 3, General Forest Opera- tions 153,664 0 8 Item 4, Timber Extraction Roads 43,056 8 11 Item 5, Planta- tions 15,275 19 4 Item 7, Plant and Machin- ery 164,201 19 3 450,552 10 6 1952. June 30. Under Act No. 5499- Item 1, Utiliza tion 113,063 0 Item 2, Fire Protection .. 101,594 7 8 Item 3, General Forest Opera tions 94,542 13 7 Item 4, Timber Extraction Roads 53,685 3 6 Item 5, Plana- tions 47,264 6 8 Item 6, Fixed Assets 16 5 Item 7, Plant and Machin ery 89,489 14 0 499,640 1 11 1952. June 30. Under Act No. 5588- Item I, Utiliza tion 230,006 18 9 Item 2, Fire Protection .. 167,900 1 8 Item 3, General Forest Opera tions 73,173 18 11 Item 4, Timber Extraction Roads 187,576 IQ 9 Item 5, Planta tions 43,144 2 IJ Item 6, Fixed Assets 45,369 15 7 Item 7, Plant and Machin- ery 93,103 19 10 Item 8, Pur- chase of Land 6,975 4 7 847,251 1 10 --~-----o,050.429 9 3 .i,853,178 7 5 31 STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURE FROM LOANS CuRRENT DURING THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1951-52-continued. ExPENDITURE. AUTHORIZATION. £ 11. d. £ 1!. d. £ 1!. d. £ 8. d. £ 8. d. £ 8. d. Brought forward . . 5,050,429 9 S Brought forward • • . . 5,853,178 7 5 Balance oa,rried down (Authorization) Under Act No. 5588- Item 1, Utiliza. tion 119,993 1 3 Item 2, Fire Protection .. 152,099 18 4 Item 3, ~neral Forest Opera tions 126,826 Item 4, Timber Extra,ction Roads 32,423 0 3 Item 5, Planta- tions .. 56,855 17 3 Item 6, Fixed All sets 34,630 4 5 Item 7, Plant and Ma,ohin ery 156,896 0 2 Item 8, Pur· chase of Land 23,024 15 5 Item 9, For pay ment into a Foreete Stores Suepense Ac- count 100,000 0 0 802,748 18 2 802,748 18 2 5,853,178 7 5 5,853,178 7 5 1952. July l. Balance brought down (Authoriza tion) Under Act No. 5588- Item 1, Utiliza- tion 119,993 1 3 Item 2, Fire Protection .. 152,099 18 4 Item 3, General Forest Opera tions 126,826 Item 4, Timber Extraction Roads 32,423 0 3 Item 5, Planta tions 56,855 17 3 Item 6, Fixed Assets 34,630 4 5 Item 7, Plant and Machin ery 156,896 0 2 Item 8, Pur chase of Land 23,024 15 5 Item 9, For pay ment into a Forests Stores Suspense Ac- count 100,000 0 0 802,748 18 2 802,748 18 2 32 STATEMENT OF REVENUE AND APPROPRIATED EXPENDITURE FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE, 1952. REVENUE. ExPENDITURE. Amount paid into Consolidated Revenue. Expenditure under Votes, &c. £ 8. d. £ 1!1. d. .E 8. d. Rents, Grazing Licences, &c •.. 17,323 6 10 Salaries of Field and Office Staff, &c. 314,44J 19 Fees .. 2!8 ll 10 Travelling Expenses, Forage, Stores, Royalties 1,068,444 13 0 &c ... 60,2i7 6 2 374,71!1 5 3 Miscellaneous- dchool of Forestry 6,450 0 0 Revenue-State Mill, F.::rica 3!1,055 11 1 Timber Seasoning Works 73,45;) 19 4 Revenue--Seasoned Timber, Newport 61,182 15 2 Foresters' Quarters 7,000 0 0 l<'orest Tramwa,ys .. 10,521 10 8 Working Expenses of Forest Tram- Ubarooal 78 10 0 ways at Erica 1,000 0 0 Hun dries 6.041 8 11 Vermin and Noxious ·weeds 2,783 2 0 Departmental 29a,536 13 1 Repairs to Forest Roads .. 38 l.l (J Utilization of Forest Produce 92,62i) 10 0 Interest and Sinking Fund-Charges re Loan Foresters' Quarters 317 810 State Sawmill, Erica 3ii,9!l5 HI 9 Supply of Firewood 308,007 8 0 Pay-roll Tax 14,13.~ ;) 6 Expenses in connexion with the use of aircraft for Bush Fire Patrol Duty 871 18 8 Grant to "Save the Forests Ca,mpaign '' Council 5,000 0 0 Grant for preservation of Flora and Fauna, Phillip Island 750 0 0 548,515 11 10 Balance 573,248 3 6 1,496,483 0 7 1,496,483 0 7 33 STATE SEASONING WORKS, NEWPORT. BALANCE·SBEET AS AT 30TH JUNE, 1952. £ 8. d. £ 8. d. £ 8. d. £ 8. d. Capital 49,541 8 9 Buildings 20,696 14 2 Additions 60 9 0 Less Depreciations 517 8 4 49,601 17 9 20,179 5 10 Reserve Account 8,347 5 10 Machinery and Plant 6,423 6 10 Sundry Creditors 5,364 ll 2 Additions 49 0 0 Treasurer of Victoria Account- Balance at lst July, 1951 44,542 3 0 6,472 6 10 Working Expenses by Vote 76,258 2 8 Less Depreciation 483 17 ll Interest on Capital 1,921 4 2 5,988 8 ll Head Office Supervision and Railway Siding 178 0 ll Audit Fee .. 150 0 0 Less Depreciation 4 9 0 173 ll ll 122,871 9 10 Permanent Improvements 6,838 10 9 Less Receipts paid to Con- Additions· 11 9 0 solidsted Revenue .. 61,182 15 2 61,688 14 8 6,849 19 9 Profit and Loss Summary- Less Depreciation Balance at 1st July, 1951 7,208 171 4 0 2 3 6,678 15 9 Profit for Year 675 3 9 7,883 6 0 33,020 2 5 Sundry Debtors 21,113 3 6 Less Provision, Bad and Doubt- ful Debts . . 300 5 ll 20,812 17 7 Stock on Hand Timber 72,957 2 8 Stores 6,095 12 9 79,052 15 5 132,885 15 5 132,885 15 5 TRADING AccouNT FOR YEAR ENDED 31>rB JUNE, 1952. £ 8. d. £ 8, d. £ 8. d. £ 8. d, 1951. 1952. July I. June 30. To Stock on Hand By Sales- Timber 65,477 9 S Timber 72,404 4 6 Stores 5,353 l 9 Sundries 19 0 0 70,830 11 5 Dartage and Freight 1,168 7 9 1952. 73,591 12 3 June 30. Less Returns .. 1,081 16 8 To Wages 18,587 10 3 72,509 15 7 Purchases 48,586 17 ll Service Charges 2,316 11 3 Freight In 3,845 19 5 Stock on Hand Stores, Tools and Materials 836 18 10 Timber 72,957 2 8 Oil, Fuel and Power 1,720 17 11 Stores 6,095 12 9 73,578 4 4 79,052 15 5 Profit and Loss Account 9,470 6 6 153,879 2 :l 153,879 2 3 PRoFIT AND Loss AocoUNT FOR YEAR ENDBD 31>rB JUNB, 1952. £ 8. d. £ 8. d. 1952 £ 8. d. 1952. June 30. June 30 By Trading Account 9,470 6 6 To Superintendence 2,327 10 4 Rentala .. 17 17 6 Maintenance and Repairs 575 8 3 Insurance Rebate .. 33 16 6 Travelling and Incidentals . . 514 2 3 Ground Rent 156 0 0 Cartage Out 271 2 ll Insurance 1,019 17 8 Pay-roll Tax 531 2 0 Discount and Allowances 203 9 11 Interest on Capital 1,921 4 2 Depreciation . . 1,176 19 3 Head Office Supervision and Audit Fee 150 0 0 8,846 16 9 Profit and Loss Summary 675 3 9 9,522 0 6 9,522 0 6 PROFIT AND Loss SUMMARY AS AT 3(}rB JUNE, 1952. 1952. £ 8. d. 1951. £ 8, d. June 30. July I. To Balance 7 ,88.'l 6 0 By Balance .. 7,208 2 3 1952. June 30. By Profit and Loss Account .. 675 3 9 7,883 6 0 7,883 6 0 34 FIREWOOD PRODUCTION. BALANCE-SHEET AS AT 30TH JUNE, 1952. £ 8. d. £ s. d. £ 8. d. £ 8. d. Capital 86,559 3 3 Vehciles and TraiU!ports .. 95 18 6 Additions 4,459 5 6 Lea.~ Depreciation 26 10 4 91,018 8 9 69 8 2 Sundry Creditors 5,186 7 10 Plant and Equipment 1,541 9 2 Plant Hire Creditors 1,726 3 1 Additions during year .. 4,459 5 6 Treasurer of Victoria Account Balance at 1st July, 1951 .. 1,038,899 1 4 6,000 14 8 Working Expenses by Vote &c. 314,394 15 5 Leas Depreciation 648 6 2 Interest on Capital 3,425 19 3 5,352 8 6 ------1,356,71!} 16 0 Less Receipts paid to Consolidated 5,421 16 8 Revenue 207,694 8 5 Sundry Debtors 1,149,025 7 7 Firewood 19,256 16 11 Plant Hire 58 5 10 19,315 2 9 Les& Provision, Bad and Doubtful Debts- £ 8. d. Firewood 864 3 0 Plant Hire 59 7 3 923 10 3 ----- 18,391 12 6 Stock on Hand Firewood (122,314 tons) 92,948 16 1 Stores 233 11 7 93,182 7 8 Profit and Loss Summary Balance at 1st July, 1951 .. 1,035,802 13 3 Add Loss for year 94,157 17 2 -----1,129,960 10 5 1,246,956 7 3 1,246,956 7 3 TRADING PROFIT AND Loss AccouNT FOR YEAR ENDED 30TH JuNE, 1952. £ 8. d. £ £ 8. d. £ 8. d. 8. d.\ 1951. 1952. July l. June 30. To Stock on Hand ' By Sales- Firewood (169,227 tons) 67,526 12 11 Millwood (69,103 tons) } 198,881 ll 5 Stores 694 16 1 Longwood (7,134 tons) · · 68,221 9 0 Plant Rentals 61 2 2 Realization of Assets- 1952. Buildings 210 0 0 June 30. Plant and Machinery 329 5 0 To Wages 231,060 13 6 Vehicles and Transports 370 16 0 Stores Tools and Materials 231 5 5 910 1 0 Freight and Cartage 41,281 4 7 Provision Bad and Doubtful Rentals 1,152 18 3 Debts-- Repairs and Maintenance 4,540 15 1 Firewood 2 13 8 Superintendence 15,583 15 9 Plant Hire 34 17 2 Running Repairs, Trucks, &c. 4,009 13 5 37 10 lO Insurance .. 6,212' 4 0 Stook on Hand Pay-roll Tax 3,749 4 10 Firewood (122,314 tons) 92,948 16 l Interest on Capital 3,425 19 3 Stores 233 ll 7 Depreciation 674 16 6 93,182 7 8 Royalty 4,586 10 8 Loss on Operations .. 94,157 17 2 Administration Charges 2,500 0 0 319,009 1 3 387,230 10 3 387,230 10 3 35 STATE SAWMILL, ERICA. BALANCE-SHEET AS AT 30TH JUNE, 1952. £ 8. d. £ 8. d. £ 8. d. £ 8. d. 16,305 19 5 Buildings 3,384 8 0 Capital , Less Depreciation 169 4 5 Sundry Creditors 2 168 10 11 3,215 3 7 341 6 2 Timber Depreciation Reserve Plant and Machinery 3,104 1 0 Profit and Loss Summary- Le:Js Depreciation 310 8 1 Balance at lst July, 1951 34,040 19 6 2,793 12 ll Add Profit for year 4,718 1 3 1,077 12 I 38,7 59 0 !l Rolling Stock Less Depreciation 107 15 2 969 16 11 6,978 13 5 Sundry Debtors Timber &c. 6,780 0 10 Rentals I 10 0 6,781 10 10 Less Provision Dad and Doubt Debts 13 18 9 6,767 12 1 Stock on Hand Timber 2,836 1 2 Stores 2,529 4 9 5,365 511 Treasurer of Victoria Account- Balance at 1st July, 1951 36,527 11 2 Reciepts paid to Consolidated Revenue 39,055 11 75,583 2 3 Lees Working Ex- penses &c. £ s. d. Provided by Vote 36,432 14 3 Interest on Capital 631 17 2 Head Office Supervision and Audit Fee 55 5 0 ------37,119 16 5 ---- 38,463 510 57,574 17 3 ' 57,574 17 3 -----1 TRADING AccouNT FOR YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE, 1952. £ 8. d. £ 8. d. £ 8. d. £ 8. d. 1951. 1952. July I. June 30. To Stock on Hand By Sales Timber 1,896 13 7 Timber 37,914 11 0 Stores 2,930 0 0 Sundries .. 61 19 9 4,826 13 7 37,976 10 9 1952. Services (Shop Charges) 240 10 9 ,June 30. Stock on Hand To Wages 11,191 14 7 Timber 2,836 1 2 Log Purchases, Royalties &c. 17,233 10 10 Stores .. 2,529 4 9 Repairs and Renewals 1,149 15 9 5,365 5ll Stores Tools and Materials 1,099 9 9 Depreciation 587 7 8 31,261 18 7 Profit and Loss Account 7,493 15 3 43,582 7 5 43,582 7 5 PROFIT AND Loss AccouNT FOR YEAR ENDED 3()ra JUNE, 1952. £ 8. d. £ s. d. £ 8. d. 1952. 1952. June 30. June 30. To Superintendence 1,035 4 9 By Trading Account 7,493 15 3 Maintenance Repairs 63 17 9 Cottage Rentais .. 383 9 3 Insurance .. 1,010 13 4 Pay-roll Tax 336 14 6 Discounts and Allowances 25 10 9 Interest on Capital 631 17 2 Head Office Supervision and Audit Fee 55 5 0 3,159 3 3 Profit and Loss Summary .. 4,718 I 3 7,877 4 6 7,877 4 6 36 STATE SAWMILL, ERICA--continued. PRoFIT AND Loss SuMMARY AS AT 30TH JuNE, 1952. £ 8. d. £ 8. d. 1952. 1951. .June 30. July l. To Balance 38,759 0 9 By Balance .. 34,040 19 6 1952. :June 30. -----! By Profit and Loss Account .... 4,718 3 38,759 0 9 38,759 0 9 OUTPUT OF SAWN TIMBER IN l,OOO's SUPERFICIAL FEET FROM CROWN LANDS AND PRIVATE PROPERTY IN VICTORIA FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30Tn JUNE, 1952. Soft woods. Division. Totals for Total Priva.oo Crown Lands. Production. Crown La.nds. Property. Southern 11,188 I 20 132 35,492 ll,320 46,812 North-EaAtern .. 28,344 7,172 5,219 209 33,563 7,381 40,944 Northern 3,478 517 636 238 4,114 755 4,869 Gippsland 26,891 686 26,891 686 27,577 I Central 59,456 17,664 I 105 I 824 59,561 18.488 78,049 Western 39,423 13,834 1,280 I 6,l3•L 40,703 19,968 60,671 North-Western .. 11,467 ! 2,633 48 I 1,908 11,515 4,541 16,056 Metropolitan 21,415 13,182 39,304 Grand Totals 225,946 66,876 9,846 I 314,282 ---~------·~----~------· ·------~---- UCTPL'T OF SAWN TIMBER IN l,OOO's SUPERFICIAL FEET FROM VICTORIAN SA \HULLS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30'm JUNE, 1952. Arranged in Groups of Species and Grades of Timber. 1 1 Species. Select. ~ Merchantable. I Scantling. Case. Miscellaneous. t Total. I I I Softwoods I Pinus railiata 4,195 I 927 521 11,399 4,166 I 21,208 173 11 16 Murray Pine 9 I 43 I 252 I Total Softwoods 4,368 938 537 11,408 I 4,209 I 21,460 Hardwoods- Mixed Species Group 7,003 12,587 166,535 7,562 199,465 Blue Gum ·• I 161 ll8 995 6 1,419 Red Gum 11,722 Box-Ironbark Group 59 Ash 80,157 Total Hardwoods 292,822 Total Vict Imported Timbers Red Gum 2,264 Murray Pine 136 Other .. 1,476 Total Sawn Output 318,158 By Authority: W. M. HousToN, Government Printer, Melbourne.