1955-5G

VICTOHIA

FORESTS COMMISSION OF

THIRTY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT FINANCIAL YEAR 1954-55

PRESKNTED TO JH.JTH HOFSES 01' PARLIAl\lEl\T PUHSCAN'l' TO AC'I' ~o. 36BJ. S~;CTIO:'\ 40.

fAppro:dm(Ue Oo6t of flpporl,-Preparatiuu uot given, llJ'int.in;:.:: (l,ROO P,(lpies), .t:nO.j

By Authority : \V M. HOC SI 001, GOVERNME:"T PRINTER, !v!ELBOURNE :'\o. 40.-11'. !Ju.J-lli38/56.

CONTENTS

PAGE

7

SILVICGLTURE oF lNDIGE:"Iious FoRESTs 8

SuRvEYS AXD FoREST AssESS:\IENT 11

FoREST E:-miNEERING 12

13

FIRE PROTECTIOX 16

20 l}rTI.IZATIOX - 20

Sawn Timber Statistics ; Timber Production ; Pulpwood Production; Output of Produce from State Foreflt~.

I~DU8TRTAL CoxlHTIONS AJ:\D E.\IPLOYMEN'l' 23 lNilUSTRL\1, CNDER'IAKH\GS 24

24

24

EDUCATION 25 School of Forestry; t:niversity of Melhourue.

VHH'AL PUBLICITY 25

STAFF AND AD)IJNTSTRATlON 26

FINANCIAL RTA1'EMENTS, W54.-55 27 Summary of Depa.rtmental Collections ; Hummary of Loan Expenditure; Expenditure from Loans Current ; Forestry Fund ; Revenue and Appropriated Expenditure ; Forestg Stores Suspense Account; Forest>; Plant an(l Machinery Fund ; State Sawmill, Erica.

FORESTS COMMISSION OF VICTORIA

'l'reasury Gardens, Me1bourne. C.2.

ANNUAL REPORT 1954-55

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 financia] year 1954-55.

A. 0. LAWRENCE, Commissioner.

C. M. EWART, Commissioner.

G. K. COCKBURN, Secretary. Melbourne.

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE FORESTS COMMISSION OF VICTORIA FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE, 195 5.

The upward trend in the timber industry noted in the Report r·or the tmanc1a1 year 1953-54 was maintained and the output of log timber from State forests sho·wed a substantial increase over the production for that year.

Gross expenditure for the year totalled £2,857,062, of which £446,961 represents loan expenditure on the construction of timber extraction roads, excluding the cost ef roading in softwood plantations and roads constructed primarily for fire protect~on purposes. The Commission anticipates being faced with continued heavy expenditure on this item for a number of years ahead in order to render aecessible and bring into production areas of prime sawmilling forests located in diffieult mountain country in the eastern half of the State. This road building programme is essential and urgent in order to meet the intensive demand for high-grade seasoning quality hardwood timber. During the past year, activities have been concentrated principally on the extension of major developmental routes to tap virgin stands of mountain ash and alpine ash in the Otways, on the King and headwaters in the north-east, and on the Dividing Range in the vieinity of 1\It. Skenc in the 2\iacalister forest district in central Gippsland.

The proper management of Yictoria's hardwood forests demands cffeetive utilization of the timber erop. This can be accomplished only through the development of markets to utilize trees of infe-rior quality and low-grade material not eeonomically utilizable for production of saivn timber or other superior uses. Such material has been shown suitable for the manufacture. of paper pulp, synthetic boards, and similar products by chemical or mechanical processing, but industries already established for its conversion arc capable of using only a meagre fraction of the total volume available. It is to the Ptate's advantage to encourage the development of this type of industry and, for some time past. negotiations have been in train for the establishment of a hardboard manufacturing plant which, if brought to a successful conclusion, will result in economic utilization 'on a large scale of what, at present, is virtually waste wood. At the close of the financial year under revic\v, preliminary tests of the suitability of the raw material available were being carried out, and an agreement between the parties eovering the conditions Ender which the industry will operate is in course of preparation.

FOREST AREA. Area of reserved forest at BOth June. 1955. was at< follows Aeres. Permanent Forest 4,772.204 Timber Heserves 7Hi,6:1:3

Total 5.488,8:17

The only change gazetted during the year was the addition of ~105,500 acres to permanent forest under Section 52 (1) of the Forest Act HJ28. This area comprised 205,000 aeres of Crown lands within the catchment of the Big river. a tributary of tht> Eildon Heservoir, embracing high-quality" mountain ash and alpine ash forest, 91,500 acres in tht> Tanjil~Yallourn district, and 9,000 acres of the Heytesbury Crov:n lands in the parishes of Jancourt and Carpendeit carrying messmate and stringybark forest of hiuhI:> timber production potential. In addition. 3,217 acres of private land were purehased for forestry purposes. SILVICULTURE OF INDIGENOUS FORESTS. Works undertaken during the year were as under, with comparative figures for previOus years' operations.

Nature of \York. lU.-,4<·).-~. 11133-;i-1. 10fi2~5:l. 19fi}-fJ2. l9fi0-.Sl. 1937-38.

--··--·~~

AereR. Arres. Acres. i Acres. Acres. Acres.

First thinning 5,1 H5 3,080 3,828 ! 7,127 9,624 41,823

Second or subsequent thinning !i,26fi 6,\)06 2,370 i 6,646 2,348 10,413

Regeneration or liberation treatment .. Jl),f)\)4 7,896 4,539 4,177 7,316 16,638

13,154 10,fl93 4,606 85,859 Coppice treatment .. !

Total j 1 )l( I~ I 28,47!) ' 15,343

It will be noted that the total ncrev.ge treated \vas m excess of the annual programme for a number of years previously. In particular, regeneration fellings were considerably extended both by lieeused and departmental operations and, in most instances. merchantable yields substantially higher than \'muld be possible under norma] licensed logging procedure are being obtained from these operations, particularly in mixed stands of the stringybark-peppermint-gum t,ype. A 1:mrvey of areas treated in previous years indicates that very satisfactory seedling regeneration i8 being secured. Silvicultural work in the northern red gum forests is being concentrated on removal of over-mature and cull trees with the object of liberating advanced rcgrowth and restocking areas with growing trees of good form. Loss of increment due to the presence of large numbers of over-mature and useless trees is considerable.

RESEARCH. Additional plots have been laid down to study factors affecting establishment and growth of natural seedling regeneration in red gum, box-ironbark, and native pine forests in northern Victoria. Artificial establishment of selected eucalypts and other indigenous trees by spot sowing and planting has been extended both as regards locality and range of species. Experiments have also been initiated to test the possibility of establishing Eucalyptus regnans by spot sowing on prepared contour terraces in the South Gippsland hill country in conjunction with the application of artificial fertilizers. A field project has been in progress to determine the influence of various natural factors on the establishment of seedling regeneration of Alpine Ash (E. ,qigantea) following logging operations in mature stands. ·Factors investigated include type of seed bed, seed production and dissemination. insect attack on seed, and climatic factors in relation to germination of seed and survival and development of seedlings. This investigation iK being extended. A preliminary survey to obtain information regarding natural regeneration following routine regeneration fellings in mixed forests of the stringybark-peppermint-gum type has been coneluded. The survey indicated that results to date generally are satisfactory, and a series of observation plots have been laid down with a view to securing more precise data regarding germination, survival and early growth of seedlings following such operations in different stand types. on different sites, and under various felling procedures. Further increment plots have hefm establlRlwd. In the laboratory, investigations have been continued in connexion with cold moist treatment and stratification of seed of various alpine eucalypts, particularly E. g·£gantea, and stratification of P~nus. radiata seed. Studies of the effect of temperature and light on eucalypt seed germmatwn are m progress, and standard testing of over 30 eucalypt species has been carried out. FOR8ST GRAZI:K'G. Continued attention haH been given to grazing as it affects seedling regeneration and establishment as it is realized that a more adequate S)'Stem of grazing control is warranted t.o conform with sound forestry practice. Over the past several yearH. a series of suitably designed experimental plots has been established for intensin study and. in addition, Hcveral areas emhraeing a wide variety of forest types have been dosed to grazing for Pxtended periods to allow of investigation on a much broader basis. The experimental plots have confirnwd beyond any doubt that uncontrolled grazing, whether hy sheep or by cattle, is inimical to forest interests where seedling regeneration and establishment are required. Complete elosure to grazing of larger areas has indicated that the protection so afforded has not only p<>rmitted a substantial improvement in the ground flora. but has been the means of promoting reforestation by natural seeding and by coppice regrowth follov,·ing utilization. The resting 0f forest land from grazing at. intervals i~:; d~c·sirable, not oniy horn tlw point of viev>' of encouraging establishment and devclopncent of 1egrowth, but abo to improve the associated forage it crtrries. \Yhil e rrcovery of tl1e fL·rage can usually bP ~tccomplished in a relatively short period, a much longer i11terval is needed to permit satisfactory establishment of tree seedlings. Even though a grazed forest is adequately timbered and there is no immediate 1weessity for a seedling ot coppice i'ittecession. no erosion problems exist and a reasonable ground cover is presert, it is considered that periodic exdusion of grazing animals is desirable to encourage the ground vegetatior: and to obviate soil compactio11, thereby improving the grazing qualities of the area as well as ensuring soil stability. Ordinarily, the greatest value of forage plants can be expected from those species which are palatable, succulent, and readily assimilated. The small seasonal plants of the forest fall into this category. Because of the diminution in the amount of palatable foruge available, a plogressive retrogression in the status of the shrubbery l:J.nd coarser gmsses ensues unless grazing is restricted, fer animals must eat or perish. The final stage is complete destrw;tion of the natural permanent ground cover and invariably foreshadows the end of the forPBt unless grazing of any sort is eliminated unt.il rehabilitation is ctssured. From an evaluation of present information, it seems that, insufficient consideration has been given to the number of animals which should be permitted to graze on any given area. It is also evident that, in order to exercise the Sllpervision necessary to prevent harmful grazing, more attention must be paid to determining tlte actual periods during any one year when grazing can safely be permitted. "Without the co-operation of lieencees little success can be attained, so the Commission \\·ill endeavour to demonstrate that. through improved range management. benefits should accrue to both licencee and forest.

Seedling regeneration and ground cover developing following closure to grazing-·species Eucalyptus hemiph/oia (Grey Box). jH

Over-grazing destroys the ground cover. C':>ppice growth is not permitted to survive and tne stumps are dead.

Unrestricted forest grazing has bared the ground at the right. Ungrazed forest inside the fence enjoys adequate soil cover. l I

SURVEY~ AND FORI~HT AJ-\Sl~HS:\m:..-T. KPRVEY~. (a) Carn:ed out by licensed forest staf/. Surveys totalling 154 miles wcrt> carried Ollt by Commission licensed surveyors in eonnexion with demarcation of forest boundaries. determination of boundaries of land acquired by purchasr. exchange 11.11d clt>dication. aml drmarcation of road easenwntc:. including re-definition of old Govt>l'lllllPnt roadc:.

Thirty-eight connetl~ pPrmnnent :mrvey mark:- WPlT PstahlishN1 in ;weordance with the requirt>ments of tlw Surwy Co-ordination Ad.

Hurn·.v of th• l\lt. Bul1cr alpirw villagP \nu; fnrtlu·r nxtend<'d to providP for orderly den•lopment of the arra aR a Rnow sports resort. Two pupil survpyors nrP lJninp: trai 1wd und<'l' a rtidPs.

(h) Oarn'ed out by engineering surt·ey 8taff. Road loca,t.ion snrvrvs- llileo. Reconnaissann• and trial lin<'H 97 Grade lines 61 Trial loeation 55 Hderencing 2P l)esign 21 lVT isee llaneous. :)

(c) Carried out by district fore~;t st4f. Mileo. Road and track traverses. and road location survev::< 426 Ronnda.rv. ;.;nbdivisional. ancl m)sccllaneoufl survey~ 1OR

FoHr~ST MAPPINf: AND AHSESI-:MENT. The main wjnter project comprised further assessment and site quality mapping of mixed forests in Davlesford and Trentham forest districts. and ait area of 25.481 acres was completed in the Domino Creek, Mt. '\Vilson. and Edw~rds Hill localities. Stock, type, and site quality plans have been prepared.

An area of 2,668 acres of l\lt. Cole State F'orefit in Beaufort forest district wa:-; assessed to determine timht>r volunw l'f>Jnaining aftN loggi11g operDtions on a selection felling basis.

Three partiet-l were engaged throughout the sunnner on a recomul,Jssancc of timbt>r stands located in the catchment, Bennison and Doolan Plains, and tlw watershed in )facalisteT and Driagolong forest districts. The principal objective was to ascertain the quantity of merchantable timber available for utilization. and to examine possible economie extraction routes and logging conditions. Field work was eonfined to an investigation of stands delineated by prior air photograph interpretation. Each stand was examined. and merchantahle timber volumes determined bv ocular estimation with checks by meat:!urement of sample plots. Coverag<> by ~ir photo interpretation was approximately 300.000 acres. 'vithin which i30.497 acres were assessed in the field after discarding stands 'vhich. because of isolation and inaccessibility. were regarded as doubtful economic logging propositions. Stands wPre mainlv alpine ash at high altitudes in rough and rocky mountain terrain. Information eollPetNl is being u;.;erl in the formulation of utilization and roan construction plans.

Detailed timber assessment surveys of two proposed logging units totalling 1,01!1 aDres in the Lazarini 's creek locality in .Macalister foreRt district. and fivE' ,;;;imilar unjts aggregating 1J:~R acrPs in thP Cal;lPr Ridgn ar<>a in Otwa.v \Y P:-;t, fon•st. district. w<>re carried out.

In , 2,852 aeres in the .Mt. Dow loeality in Bruthen forest district were covered by a 5 per cent. sampling survey, and 8,600 acres in the Tonghi creek watershed. Orbost forest district. were aRsessed by a timber reconnaissance survey. 12

MISCELLANEOUS PRO.JEC'l'S. A timber assessment. soil type, and Yegetation cover survey of Waarre plantation, comprising 1.500 acres. was carried out.

Swnmary of H1orks.

..\!"

Acres. South-\\restern Davlesford and Domino Creek, }It. Wilson, Timber asses>'HH'nt on r) per 2!JA81 Trentham and Edwards Hill cent. grid Heytesbnry W aarre Plantation Timber asse;;sment, :;oil and [ 1,500 wgetational mapping I Otway We;;t . Calder Ridg<> Timber assessment hy ocu- I 1,138 Jar estimation , Beaufort Timber asse;;sment on;) per 1 2,668 cent. grid '

South em Macalister Barkly River Timber reconnaissance 11,062 Bennison Plain;; I Tim her reconnaissance 9,167 I I T,azarini's CrePk •' I Timber assessnwnt by I l,OHi sample plots · I Bria~tolong .. : Moroka Rinr .. Tim her reoonnaissanct> .. 10,2f\8

East.ern Brutlwn J\Jt. Dow Timber asst>ssment on 5 2,852 per cent. grid Tonghi Swamp Cre(·k Timber reconnaissance .. 8,600

Summary. Acre!'l:. Grid assessment ;3L001 Timber reconnaissance 41.254 Soil and vegetational survey 1,500

73,755

}lAPPING. Original plans prepared for reproduction by the Assessment Branch comprised 3 base topographical, 8 forest class, 14 forest type. D stock. and 6 stocking density plans.

FOREST EXGINEERING.

RoAD CoNsTRCCTION PRO.JECTS. Five hundred and twenty-four miles of ne\\' forest roads were constructed, comrrising 140 miles of arterial and main timber extraction roads, 270 miles of secondary and general-purpose roads, and 114 miles of vehicular tracks. Grading and essential maintenance were carried out over 5,733 miles of existing roads. In Otway West forest district, 7 miles of main road along the West ~Calder river divide. junctioning with the Great Ocean road at Cape Horn, were formed and trimmed for nlf~talling which will be carried out next summer. This through-road linking the Great Ocean road with the Beech Forest~ Olangolah main road is' now completed apart from the 3-mile section of the Old Apollo Bay road, which has been realigned and is now being reconstructed by the Country Roads Board. On completion of this seetion of metalling, this road will enable log extraction from the extensive mountain ash and messmate forests on the south and east sides of the and in the Calder river and YVest Barham river basins, as \Yell as the coniferous stands of AirP Yalley plantation, to proceed on an organize() scale. Construction of a secondary extraction road has been completed for a distance of 2 miles along the Calder Ridge and metalling of this section will be undertaken during next summer. A new quarry site has been developed and a crusher ereeted in readiness for the metalling of this anrl the main roarl. In Otway East forest district. developmental roading was advanced a further stage by extension of a numbtr of projects. Earthworks on the road, which connects with the Great Ocean road at , were completed to within half a mile of the Grey-Carisbrook divide, including construction of the Grey river bridge. One mile of the ::Vlt. Sabine-Benwerrin road between Sunnyside road junction and the take-off of the Grey Spur road was formed and mctalled to provide an outlet for the Grey Spur road. It miles of which \\"ere constructed and surfaced. This latter will eventually link with the Grey River road to provide a through route from the Great Ocean road. Extension of the Sunnyside road has been completed to the State forest boundary and surfaced.

In Beaufort forest district. the main road over the l\It. Cole plateau from Raglan to \Yarrak has been completed, and attention is now focussed on th<> ronstruction of additional subsidiary feeder roads into the main timber belts.

In Maryborough forest district, a commencement was made with the construction of a road through the Pyrenees State forest linking the Warrenmang-A voca system on the north with the Glenloftv-Elmhurst road on the> south. One and a half miles of formation were completed. ·

A further :1 miles of the main road on the Dividing Range from Connor's Plain in the l\facalister forest district was (~onstructed around the headwater8 of Lazarini'8 creek towards the objective of Lazarini's Spur. The remaining 2 miles of this project 'will be completed next surnmer and a commencement made with construction of a road into the headwaters of the l\1t. Skene branch of the Barkly river. Both projects will tap extensive stands of alpine ash. Tlw Stony Cret-k road was extt-nded by the construction of an additional 4} milt>.s.

In Delatite form;t district. winter construction work was concentrated on extension of the main road along the Goulburn-Jamieson divide towards :Mt. Skene. Construction. grading. and drainage have been completed to a distance of 7f miles from the commencement of the road by the formation of an additional 3t miles during the wintm of In54.

In the same district, further progress was made with the Hmvqua and roading projects. The Howqua road has been completed to a distance of approximately :1t miles beyond the Delatite gap towards Stanley's )fame saddle on the King-Howqua divide. This section presented w,ry difficult and slow construction because of particularly heavy rock formations. In the King river valley, formation on the main extraction road has reached the governing saddle approximately l mile• short of Clear Hills spur.

WATER HEGt'LATION PRO.JECTS. In Barmah forest distri(t along the Hiver Murray, regulators to control the flow of water from the river into the red gum forests were completed on Boal's, Sapling, and Island ereeks, and a commencement made with the installation of similar structures on Big Woodcutter and Punt Paddock creeks. Early high levels in the Hiver .:Ylurray hindered progress considt-rably.

PLANT AND EQnPMENT. Twenty-four new tractors were purchased. and 3:1 unserviceable. un<>eonomical. and old model units sold.

PLANTA'riOKS AND NVHRElUE~.

Seasonal conditions in all plantation areas during 1!)54 \H~re lavourable for tree growth. Most localities received above average annual rainfall for the tenth succt-ssive vear. IJ

PLANTING ACTIVlTIEk. Planting operations during 1954 consisted of New area planted, net- Softwoods 359 acres Hard woods 13 acres Total 372 acres Cut-over or burned soft~wood areas replanted 167 acres Roftvvood areas replanted for failures 121 aeres Trees planted Softwoods ;)87,451 Hard woods H,630 Total :-397.081 Hardwood plantings were confined to abandoned farm lands in the South Gippsland hills, the principal species used being E~tcalyptus re11nans. Existing softwood areas were extended at twelve plantations, the largest plantings being in the Ballarat and Lower Glenelg districts. Pinus radiata vms the only softwood species planted. Although the area of new softwood planting exceeds that for the preceding year, it is still far short of the target area considered the minirnum necessary to meet the increasing demand from an expanding population. Because of shortage of labour and finance, mechanization of land-elearing and planting offers the only prospect of any substantial increase in the planted area.

SILVICULTl~RAL 0PERA'fiQNS. Cultural operations during the financial year were carried out as follows :- Liberation of plantation crops from scrub 2.655 acres Pruning of young crops 252 acres Thinning of older crops L971 acres Final fellings 15 acres \Vith the object of producing as much knot-free timber as possible, revised pruning schedules for the younger plantations of Pinus radiata have been prepared and incorporated in field practice. In conjunction with this work. trials have been instituted to determim' the most economical methods of pruning. Field plots have been established at several plantations for the study of growth effects resulting from the thinning of six-year-old stands of Pinus radiata. The purpose of this early thinning is to minimize ea.rly competition, maintain the increment rate, and reduce the percentage of small material to be removed in the first commercial thinning. The continued demand for Christmas trees has facilitatecl the thinning of both planted and naturally regenerated young stands. Collection of Pinus radiata seed from selected trees amounted to 500 lb. of cleaned seed after treatment in the seed extraction plant at .Macedon. Sufficient pine seed is now~ harvested to meet all departmental requirements and a small surplus is available for sale· to the public. Steps have been taken to expand the local seed collection of many varieties raised in Commission nurseries as well as of species in public demand for broadeast sowing. NFRSERY OPERATIONS. Pimts radiata was the main species propagated in Commission nurseries. Altho~gh stocks were ample for departmental needs. they were insufficient to meet the mcreasmg public demand. Main nursery activities for 1954 were- Plants distributed for 1954 planting 397,081 Plantl:l supplied to Rtate schools. public bodies. and general public 516.644

Total nursery despatches 913,725 Hi

Plants propagated and held for future planting~ Seedlings (Pinus radiata) lined out 740,000 Advanced stock hekl 171.300

Total reservP Htock nu.3oo

Conifer seed sown :301 lh. Revemw from the Hale of plants 111 1\154 £15.:17\l

UTILIZATION OF 80FTWOOD TlMBEH. Softwood log output for the financial :'rear amounted to Building and case logti 16,396,845 super. feet H.L. Y. Peeler logs 1,685,2H3 super. feet H.L. \'. Pulpwood 6,2~12,560 ~m per. feet H.L.Y.

Total 24,374,698 super. feet H.L.Y.

Peeler log production shmvs a slight decline over the pr<.'ceding year, whilst saw log output increased by almost 2! million superficial feet. Demand for both saw and peeler logs continued and is far in excess of supply. The increa:-;ing price of imported timbers has eaused an increased demand for loeally grown Pinus Ntdirtfa.. which continues to find new uses. Reeentl.v. this timber ha:-; been much in ckmand by the fnrnitme trade. Pulpwood production shows a tOllBiderable increas(• onr previout-> yc·an; and is the higheBt on record. The strong demand for timber of pulpwood size and qualit.v rnabled a larger art;a of young plantations to be thim1Pr.l. The total softwood log produetion for this financial year is the highest yet recorded. Any inereaBe in log output is dependent upon the provision of suitable roa(h>. which are being built to the limit of a vailablc machinery. manpower. ancl finance. Total revenue from plantationH amounted to :-

Kale of softwood logR 160.05:3 Nurserv tTee sales 15,37H Christl~Uts tree sales 6.129 Sale of miscellaneous produce> 4.n76

Total \86.5:37

VERMIN DAMAGE. vVidespread damage to young pine plantations in hilly. serub-covered areas eontinues. Following investigations by the Fisheries and Game Derartment, the animals resronsible for this destruction have been identified as wallabies, opossums, and bush rats. Thr destruetion caused by these native animals is of such serious consequence to the establishment of further softwood plantations and the development of existing ones that some revision of existing la>vs relating to native fauna is essential. In these scrubby areas it is impossible to control the movement of the animal populations which have developed. 'MANAGEMENT Sl:RVEYS. Further progress has been made in the preparation of reliable species and site quality mars for several plantations. It is anticipated that this work will be completed in the near future. Management plans have been commeneed for Ovens, Searsdale. and Castlemaine plantations and will be extended to other area;-; as suitable maps become available. During the year, about 200,000 acres of abandoned farm landB in the South Gippsland hills were photographed from the air to provide data for future management plans. A timber assessment and preliminary soil survey was carried out at the Waarre plantation in an endeavour to df'termine the cause of poor dewlopment of pines on part of the area. Reconnaissance surveys were made of several areas for the purpose of determining their suitability for soft;woo;l planting. IG

I{ESEAHCH. Sev<:ral fundamental research projects in conncxion with the reforestation of the South Gippland hills have been continped. Bracken fern control trials in this area have been abandoner! on account of the uneconomical cost of treatment.

Research on the causm; of .. dead-top .. in sonw softwood plantations \Vas continued in the form of thinning, pruning, and aspect trial~;. These were made in conjunction \Vith a soil moisture study involving :WO gypsum blocks and five self-recording field meteorological stations.

FoREST ExTENSlON \\'oRK. Investigation::; in connexion with improved techniques for nursery and plantation establishment were continued and extended. Experimental work included direct seeding trials, field tests with stratified seed, investigation of planting methods, nurstry soil improvement trials, weedicide and fertilizer applications in connexion with nursery practice, mechanization of nursery and plantation establishment op(:;rations. problems associated with transport of nursrry stock. use of hormones i11 the suppres:-;ion of eucalypt regrmvth, and trials with various type~ of planting stock.

Inerral-ling demand from departnwntH. State :,;ehoole~. and the general public for advice on forestry mattHs has been :·mch as to plac<' a Htrain on <>Xisting Htaff. Extension work is an important branch of forestry and thP pn blie dt·mand for :·wrvice warrants employment of a full-time exten~;ion officer.

(; E~l·; IL\ L. During the year a conference of plantation officer::; from all part~; of the State wa» held at Macedon. A Qm•em;land forester participatt>d in discussions which proved of great benefit to all present. Tt is hoped to· hold thr~;P conferencrs at regular intervalR.

FH{E PHOTECTIO~.

SEA.S01'L\L (\mDJTIONS. Rainfall during the latter half of l!J54 was abon· an~rage over most of the State due mainly to a very W('t period from late October to mid-December. rrhe second half of the latter month was dry. hut the 4:3 fireR reported during this period were of small dimension8 and easily controlled .

.January was dwractcrized by hot. dry Wl•ather. but northerly winds oecmTed on only a fe·w occasions so that peak danger periods \n•n• intermittent. Strong nortlwrlies associated with temperatures up to 11 0" If. on 2nd .January created a high hazard. particularly in the extreme west, whue fires caused the loss of one life and considerable damage to forest and pastoral laml::;. On thP same date. Frankston pine plantation vwts burned and a fire which spread from South Australia dPstroyed a eonsi

A total of 117 fires oceurred in .January. Cooler conditions prevailed during the remainder of the fire season W'ith some heavy falls of rain, with the result that, iu all parts of the State, except the \Yeste.rn district, it was possible to terminate the prohibited period on 16th March. This lifting of restrictionfi enabled landowners to cany out necessary burning operations much earlier than usual.

An acute fire dangH day was proclaimed by the Country Fire Authority after consultation with the Commission 011 six occasions during the season.

OtuGIN .\~n lNCIDEXCE oF FmEH. The 1mmber of firm; attt>nded ln' Forests Connnistsion statl' wa::; :316, of which 16:~ originated within the boundaries of ~tate forest ~nd nati?n~l parks and. the remainder on private property. Of the latter. mne were outsHle the lnmts of the fire-protectefl area. 107 were confined to private property within the fire-protC'etrd n.re>rt. and :37 spreao from private property into Htate forest. 17

~eventy-t:;ix thousand two hundred and eighty-one aere::; of 8tate fore:st and national parks were burned by the 200 fires which occurred within or spread into these lands, giving an average fire area of 381 acres. Of these fires, 58 pt>r cent. were confined to areas less than 10 ·acres, and 7 · 5 per cent. extended to over LOOO acres. Apart from pine plantations, forest areas affected comprised stands of relatively low commereial value. Five hundred and fift_v acreH of pines at L{fWer Glenelg and 630 acres at Frankston were killed. The greate:;t number of outbreaks oceuned in Orbo:;t (23), Heywood (20), and Dandenong ( 19) forest distriets. The largest individual fires wPre :-·

~.\plH'OXhnate Forest llistriet. Area Bunwd,

AerP~.

Uasterton 20,000 Originated from a sawmill outsidP the fire protected area Uann Valler D<>liheratc lighting

Heywood 10,5GO Spread from South Australia

CAl'FlEI'i OF FIRES. Known or fmspected causes of fires attended by Commission ::;taff are as fo11o·ws :-

Area of State :-lumtwr of Pi'l'l'f•Jltage of Forest and t)utlm.-'-a.k .... Total. National Park Burned.

Settler:,; antl landowners ;)3 16·4 6,525 Grazing interests 7 2·2 6,20f> Sportsmen, campers, and touri~ts 44 14·0 890 Forest licencees and workers 21 \)·7 1,942 Deliberate lighting 41 13·0 23,415 Smokers .30 B·G 1,194 3· •) Children 10 ' ~ 7 Tractors, cars, trucks, and locomotive~ lf) 4·8 587 Sawmilling operationH 12 3·8 20,000 Lightning 31 !1·8 3,35() :\fiscellaneous known 2fi 8·:1 11,890 e nknown origin .. 2() 8.:3 270

Total 3l!i 100·0 76,281

_-uredJHg ~tatr J'on·~t XnmlH:r of Art·u oJ :lJHI Nt~tlouar J)arll:><: . Total .-\rea oi :S<1tional Ji'ires Stati' 1-~on ..... t Total. 1 :Number of Park Ori!4iHa b,d Attendorl BltrJH•(l, Out,ict<> f'lres Hur11f'd. in and Total. A tt-t•ndt>d. Oriu:itmtt·

Acres Aeres Aeres East.ern .3<1,513 3•t,f>l3 2 3;) 10 47 47 Southern 747 747 8 25 1{) 49 50 North-Ea.~tt'rn l ,2.'>8 1,258 20 8 2~) ;)() Central 1,3!)1 2 1,393 ;:, lO 26 42 2 44 Western .36,390 36,390 12 Hl 14 ·F> 1 46 South-WeRtern 1,492 1,4!)2 (\ 27 22 f'J:'J ,,•) 58 Xorthern ±88 188 3 26 11 40 41

Total 7fl,27\l 2 7fi,28l ;)7 162 107 307 \) 31()

11738/56.~ 2 18

MoNTHLY OuTBRF:AKR OF' FmE. ------I . I Division. I August. September. October. November. January. February. March. I April. Total. I 1 I i I Eastern . . . . I .. 7 1 8 23 7 1 . . 47 Southern .. . . I 3 8 5 4 22 2 6 . . 50 North-Eastern 1 .. 4 2 8 11 2 2 . . 30 Central . . .. I 1 1 5 4 21 5 5 2 4,1 Western . . .. I 1 3 5 7 11 8 5 6 46 I South-Western 1 .. 4 I 13 I 5 19 4 9 3 58 Northern .. 1 ] 6 4 7 10 4 3 5 41 _I I I .I Total .. 3 6 33 35 43 117 32 31 16 316 I I I

AREA CLASSES OF FIRES OccURRING IN STATE FoRESTS AND NATIONAL PARKS.

! i I I Total 0-10 11-100 101-·500 501-1,000 1,000+ Di·ri~ion. acres. acres. acres. Number of Area Burned. I acres. acres. Fire.'!. I I Acres.

Eastern ...... 1o 6 4 l 10 37 34,513 Southern . . . . 21 10 2 .. . . 33 I 747 North-Eastern . . .. 14 4 2 1 . . 21 1,258 Central ...... 12 3 . . . . 1 16 1,393 Western ...... 10 9 6 2 4 31 I 36,390 South-Western 24 3 33 1,492 Northern 19 2 29 488

Total .. 116 19 200 76,281

Percentage of Total 58 9·5 2 7·5

LAW ENFORCEMENT. Proceedings for breaches of the fire prevention proY1s10ns of the Forests Acts and Regulations were as follows :- Number of prosecutions 17 :0rumber of convictions 15 Cases dismissed 2 Fines imposed £255 Costs allowed £31 Suppression costs allowed £88 W" arning letters 'vere addressed to thirteen persons responsible for commission of minor offences not warranting prosecution.

ExPENDITURE. Direct expenditure on fire suppression amounted to £16,740.

LEGISLATION. Important amendments to the fire proteetion sections of the Forests Aets were promulgated during the year. Prior to these amendments, the prohibited period in so far as it related to a fire protected area other than State forest or national parks was a fixed statutory period corrunencing on 15th November in each year and terminating on 15th March next following and, other than in the Mallee, it applied throughout the State. This meant that, irrespective of weather conditions or degTee of fire hazard, restrictions on the lighting of fires at any time between 15th November and 15th 3:Iarch could not be relaxed, although permits could be and were giYen. Under the current amendment, the prohibited period is defined by prochunation each year and may be applied to the whole or any portion of the fire protected area, thus enabling restrictions to conform with fire danger conditions in the locality concerned. JB

The amended legislation also provides power to claim suppression costs against offenders convicted of illegally lighting fires, and already costs have been awarded under this section. Provision is also made for excision from the fire protected area of proclaimed urban fire brigade districts where such action is considered desirable and necessary. DETECTION. District fire location maps were prepared for Daylesford, Castlemaine, Heathcote, St. Arnaud, Gunbower, and Upper Murray forest districts. Additional fire towers and observation points were established in Trentham, Otway East, Otway West, Niagaroon, Bruthen, Neerim, and Upper Murray forest districts; some existing lookout points in Otway East, Otway West, Neerim, and .:\'Iarysville districts were abandoned. AIR PATROL. Two aircraft, based on East Sale and Laverton aerodromes respectively, were provided by R.A.A.F. for reconnaissance and patrol. Five flights totalling 23 · 5 flying hours were made. Prior to the fire season, a trial flight was made in which Commission officers participated with a view to testing the possibility of improving communication between aircraft and ground crews. This resulted in more efficient operation of the communication system during the last fire season.

EQUIFMENT. Eight water tankers were purchased from R.A.A.],. disposals, bringing the total now in service to 34. An additional 33 low-powered pumps were obtained, whilst supplies of hose, tanks, and minor equipment were kept up to requirements.

TRAINING Scnom.. s. Each of the seven forest divisions conducted a school at which personnel received instruction in the handling and maintenance of field equipment, demonstration of the capabilities and limitations of each unit, and practical exercises in fire fighting tactics. Invitations were extended to representatives of other fire fighting organizations to attend these schools for practical training.

PUBLIC RELATIONS. The Commission's publicity campaign was continued on an intensive scale through the medium of the press, public addresses, film screenings, posters, advertisements, and the issue of appropriate literature. Increasing attention is being paid to education in schools through films, talks, and distribution of pamphlets and posters. An exhibit was arranged in the Commission's pavilion at the Royal Agricultural Show, and the Commission co-operated with the Victorian Sawmillers' Association in an effective display at the Australian Industries Fair held in the :J>Ielbourne Exhibition Building. TEL.JiJCOMMUNICATIONS. As mentioned in last year's Report, through increasing industrialization in the localty radio inductive noise in the central receiving station at Mont Park was raised to a level at which reception of field stations became difficult and at times impossible. Pending transfer by the P.M.G.'s Department of this station to a more favourable site, a very high frequency link repeater equipment designed and built in the Commission's radio laboratory has been installed on the Dunn's Hill fire tower in the Dandenong ranges. The equipment consists of a normal high frequency receiver, crystal controlled on the field base station freqpency of 4· 88 ~cjs, which is used t? mod~late a tr~nsmitter operating on 73·46 mcjs and mcorporates a signal-controlled deviCe wh10h permits the transmitter to operate only when the receiver is actuated by a signal. The transmitted signal is directed through a Y agi beam aerial to a similar directive aerial on the roof of the Commission's Melbourne office and thence by transmission line to the radio room. The equipment has enabled the central station to continue operating under excellent receiving conditions. The number of mobile radio telephone installations has been increased to 50 by the addition of 14 new units. 20

A field ba~;e station eomprising F.T.lO transmitter and F.RS.1 reeeiver, both of Commission design and construction, was established at Casterton district forest office. Two portable field eqnipments were alloeated, bringing the total in that category to 192. The Commission's radio equipment and organization under t.he direction of the radio engineer were used effectively over a period of ten days in an intensive search for t.wo persons missing in the Baw Baw mountains during the winter. :Field communications were based on VL3AZ, Tanjil Bren, and fourteen stations \Yere in operation. During the 1955 convention of the Institution of Radio Engineers (Australia), the Commission presented a display of equipment designed and built by its radio laboratory staff. This attracted tl1e interest.ed attention of many telecommunication engineers. Eleven new telephone services were installed and three cancellation~; effected.

PHOTECTIVE WOB.KS. The following works were carried out during the year :- Trails, b~·eaks, and control strips~­ Length of firebreaks constructed 41 miles Length of firelines constructed 150 miles Length of patrol tracks constructed 4 miles Area of protective strip and patch burning 197,580 acres H'ctter conservation uxJr/.:~;- Dams eonstrncted- 400 cubic yard capaeity and over 4i) Less than 400 cubic yard capacity 55 \Vater races eonstrueted 35 chains Springs and waterholes cleaned out and repaired 11 Weirs and tanks constructed 3 Other works-' Fire t.owers and observation posts established 10 Dugouts constructed- (i) by Forests Commission 8 (ii) by other interests 15 Telephone line erected or acquired 17 miles I?ireplaces constructed 16 Roadside fire signs erected 20

PROSECUTlONS. The following is a summary of proceedings taken during the year relating to offences against provisions of the Acts administered hv t'he Commission (excluding fire offences). Number of cases 20 Number of convictions 20 Amount of fines £166 Amount of cost.s £:36 Amount of compensation £175

PTILlZATION. SAw~ TnmEn STATisTics. Considerable difficulty has been experienced in obtaining complete data regarding output of sawn timb~r from Victorian. sawmills. For thi~ reason it ha~ been decided. to discontinue temporanly the presentatiOn of figures relatmg to sawn timber productiOn and meanwhile to explore ways and means of securing the most reliable statistics. The Government Statist's figure of production for the year ended 30th June, 1955, is 355,694,000 superficial feet, comprising 328,448,000 feet of hardwoods and 27,246,000 feet of softwoods. :From data available, it would appear that with respect to hardwood timber from Vietorian-grown logs t.he steady decline in -production from privately owned land is

eontinuincr,0 t.he proportion of the total eut bemg of the order of 16 per cent. compared with 25 per cent. in 1950~51. The reverse is evident in the softwood output, which has inereased substantially in recent vears. ~I

TDH!I<:It PROJ>UC'l'lOX. Throughout the year there was a strong demand for all classes of timber, with markets better stabilized and more attention to improved quality. Increased production of scantling timber ~was mainly due to the higher demand for heavy construction timber for use in Government projects, factories and other industrial constructions. [n general it can he accepted that the demand for ordinary building hardwood was not fully satisfied and producers of high grade kiln-seasoned timber have enjoyed healthy and attmctive market eondition:-;. Drastic curtailment of departmental logging operations, partieularly in the Healesville area, resulted in a sharp drop in hardwood log production through these channels, output for the year totalling :38,4::31,434 superficial feet H.oppus log volume, a decrease of 18,740,992 feet compared with the previous year's produetion. ~early all the millers eoncerned in reduced alloeations of departmental logs were able to continue at approximately normal cutting capacity with supplementary supplies from licensed operations, most of which were carried out as regeneration fellings. Departmental operations at Mt. Cole in the Beaufort district maintained supplies to a group of millers in that area at a rate consistent with their allocations. It is again emphasized that many millers within lOO milm; radius of }felbourne have not yet accepted the fact that the forests in these areas are near exhaustion, and it is not realized that there are far too many mills seeking to draw their log requirements from heavily depleted stands. The elm.ing down of a number of mills either voluntarily or out of sheer necessity is inevitable. and the time is not far distant when this issue must be faced. WhereveT silvicnlturally desirable, subject to availability of markets, further areas of mixed messmate and stringy bark forests have been treated under a system of regeneration fellings, principally in the central highlands and the south-western part of the State. Similar work carried out in the red gum forests along the Riwr l\Iurray yielded logs which werB readily aceepterl by local sawmillers. There was little change in the output of hardwood case timber during the year and it seems obvious that, other than for purposes where wood is eminently desirable, there is no prospect of any extension in existing markets for hardwood case material. More intensive forest utilization inevitably involving large volumes of lower grade timber must await the development of wood fibre industries. ] n this connexion it is pleasing to reeord that arrangements are in course of being fmalized for the establishment by l\fasonite Corporation (Australia) LindeJ of a fibre hoard factory in the Eilrlon locality. This factory will use raw material from stands of inferior species and malformed residual trees following mill log procurement. thus greatly increasing the degree of utilization, promoting regeneration and redueing fire hazard. Although the sawmilling industry has experienced a year of most favourable eonditions and strong markets, it mm;t be accepted that year by year virgin stands of high grade timber arc becoming rnore difficult of access, a.nd more remote from the main centres of usage. As a result, the industry is confronted with increasing transport costs for both logs and sawn timber. At the same time, some sawmillers are turning their attention to the conversion of logs from the older regrowth of mountain ash forests. At the close of the financial year, the total quantity of fire-killed timber which had been utilized was l,434,355,43H superficial feet Hoppus log volume against an estimated recoverable volume of 916 million superficial feet. In vievv of the fact that operators are finding it necessary to push further back into valuable stands of advanced regrmvth, greater restrictions must necessarily he imposed in regard to the selection of areas on which utilization can still be allowed. In most cases deterioration of the dead timber has reached a stage where its utilizable value could not justify the damage which its extraction would cause to the regro,vth. - There was a strong demand for poles and piles. The State Electricity Commission placed larger orders for supplies of locally-grown timbers, and many districts showed a big increase in pole output. In addition, the pole requirements of the Postmaster-General's Department were heavier. Both these Departments haVP been rPviewing pole specificat,ions in the light of wood preservation proposals, and prdirninnry negotiations have been in progress with two firms interested in Pstablishing timber impregnation plants at suitable centres. Markets for all classes of fencing timber and shed poles were stronger, as was the demand for most items of minor produce. 22

PULPWOOD PRODUCTION. Following a sharp recovery in market conditions, there was a substantial increase in the pulpwood requirements of Australian Paper Manufacturers Limited and intake from State forests at that company's Maryvale mill was 4,523,375 cubic feet of both hardwoods and softwoods-nearly double the figure for 1953-54 and an all-time record. The Company's contractors were, in the main, concentrated in the fire-killed ash areas in Erica, Neerim, and Woods Point districts, in accordance with the policy of utilizing the maximum quantity of fire-killed ash wherever deterioration is not too far advanced and damage to young regrowth can be avoided. Although production of mixed species pulpwood was lower, the Company has undertaken salvage logging as contractors to the Commission with most satisfactory results. The demand for a higher proportion of pine pulp\vood resulted in a sharp increase in the output of this class of material from State plantations, from which 641,176 cubic feet of small-sized material were supplied. This new avenue for the utilization of small-diameter pine is invaluable in plantation management, in that the thinning of large areas of young plantations. so necessary for their proper development, has become an economic proposition. Anticipating the ultimate submergence of Stillman·s Plantation, an experimental area of approximately 130 acres, mainly Pin'Us radiata, situated on the eastern bank of the Delatite arm of Eildon Heservoir, the Commission negotiated the sale of the timber to A.P.M. Forests Proprietary Limited, which undertook to clear fell the \vhole area for pulpwood. Details of pulpwood delivered to the Maryvale mill of A.P.l\L Pty. Ltd. are as follows:- Hardwoods- Cubic Feet. Bruthen forest district 145,252 Erica forest district 699,916 N eerim forest district 1,154,572 Toolangi forest district .. 82.496 Upper Yarra forest district 30,378 Woods Point forest district 1,:382,680 Macalister forest district 314,831 Marvsville forest district 60,240 y arram forest district 11,834 Radiata Pine-·- Aire Valley Plantation 20,195 Beechworth Plantation 81.547 Bright Plantation 50.577 Creswick Forestry School Plantation 907 Ovens Plantati01i 80,877 Scarsdale Plantation 70,2HJ Toorongo Plantation 53,096 Frankston Plantation !)6.482 Stillman' s Plantation 187,276 4.523,375

Stt1nmary- Polc Ash billets 28,125 Mature Ash billets 2,!)98,737 Pole mixed species billets 152.670 :Mature mixed species billets 202.792 1Iixed species logs 369.152 Sawn flitches .. 1:30.72!) Softv•·oorl cellulose pulpwood 641.176 4.523.37iJ 23

OUTPUT OF PRODUCE FR0:\1 STATE FORESTS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1954-55. l. TI.!I;IBER AND FIREWOOD. Mill logs and case logs-hardwood .. 444,87 4, 790 super. feet Logs--softwood .. 18,082,138 super. feet Fencing material- Posts, strainers, and stays 1,817,680 number Droppers 160,182 number Pickets 900 number Palings 160 number Rails 22,904 number Beams .. 227,588 super. feet Sleepers­ Railway 572,751 number Other 23,814 number Piles 235,316 lineal feet Poles and spars-- Telegraph, telephone, and electric light 1,081,577 lineal feet Miscellaneous, including spars .. 882,079 lineal feet Mining timbers 101,071 lineal feet 142,851 super. feet Bridge timbers 37,978 super. feet Pulpwood 4,523,375 cubic feet Sundries- Staves 1,054 number Stakes 1,541 number Slabs 6,348 number Chopping blocks 7,377 number House blocks 15,653 number Firewood- Green and dry 437,780 tons measure Tops and dry. longwood 5.828 loads

2. )fiNOR PRODUCTS. I

INDUSTRIAL CONDITIONS AND EMPLOYMENT. During the year, the Full Court of the Commonwealth Court of Conciliation and Arbitration awarded marginal increases to semi-skilled and skilled \Vorkers in the metal trades industries, and the principles of this judgment necessitated re-assessment of the marginal structure in industry generally. New awards affecting Commission employees are the Australian "Workers' Union Construction and Maintenance Award 1954, the Engine Drivers' and Firemen's (General) Award 1955, and the Timber \Vorkers' Award. Following the general trend, supervisory personnel under the Commission's eontrol were granted an interim increase in marginal rates. Ten employees who have completed twenty or more years of service were granted long service leave. Accidents for which claims for workers' compensation were lodged to.talled 440, an increase of 51 over the figure for the previous year, the majority being of a minor nature. The number of Commission employees at 30th .June, 1955, was 1,146 eompared with 1,076 at the corresponding date in 1954, with peak employment of 1,259 in .January. There has been no improvement in the serious shortage of skilled eng!neering tradesmen which existed in the previous year. The Commission again records its appreciation of the continued operation of its employees and industrial officials. 2.1

INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS.

STATE SA \DULL, ERICA. Although rebuilding of the mill had, in the main, been completed by January, the reconstruction of plant oceupied the greater part of the period under review. Under trial, certain problems were encountered in waste disposal, necessitating the replacement of the spiral sawdust conveyors by a fan type exhaust system. Apart from stoppages to effect minor adjustments to plant, the mill operated more or less continuously from .January onward:-;. The log qualit.y was generally poor and sawn recovery lower than average due to a large percentage of conversion being from logs which had been stockpiled over the period of reconstmction. Production of sawn timber for the year was 678,067 superficial feet. Practically the whole of this quantity vms of scantling quality, but a small percentage of higher grade was delivered to the State Seasoning Works, Newport.

STA'l'E SEASO~TNU \YoRKS, NEWPORT. During the year the supply problem ·was very acute and the available volume of :mitable quality green timber was immfficient to maintain through-put at the required level. All plant operated satisfactorily throughout the year and supplies of good quality floorings, weatherboards, mouldings, and boards were maintained chiefly to Public Works Department contractors and public authorities. A complete financial statement of the year's trading a.ctivities is not available because of an investigation which is proceeding in regard to stocks and accounts.

BUILDIN<~ C'ONSTRl:CTION. Substantial progress was made during the year ·with the prov1s1on of staff accommodation in country centres. The residence at Nowa Nowa and additions to the district office at Kallista commenced in the previous year were completed. New residences were erected at Broadford, Erica, and Creswick, houses purchased at }larysville, Orbost, Eildon, J amieson, Heyfield, Erica (three), and Tallangatta, and buildings at Cumberland and Narbethong transferred to Big River and Toolangi respectively. Construction of new residences has been commenced at Casterton, Colignan, Tallarook, Swift's Creek, Healesville, and Maryborough. Major alterations and additions to six residences were completed. Construction of administrative buildings included 8 combined garage and store accommodation, 6 garages, 3 oil stores, 1 mess hut, and 1 potting shed, and work is in progress on the erection of 4 store and garage buildings and a new district office at Casterton. In accordance with the Commission's policy of providing amenities in country districts, t:3 hot water services, 12 septic tank systems, 2 amenities blocks, and 11 electric supply facilities have been installed or are in course of installation. Painting of and necessary renovations to over 90 residences and other buildings were carried out.

FOREST PESTS. No unusual incidence of insect pests has been reported during the year. Damage being caused to exotic pine plantations by wallabies. opossums. and rats has been referred to. earlier in this report. At the invitation of the Xew South \\'ales Forestry Commission, extensive damage being eaused in Alpine Ash (Eucalyptus fjigantea) forests in the southPrn highlands of New South \Vales by the native stick insect. Didyrnntia v£oleseens. was inspeeted. This insect is present in plague proportiom; in this and other localitie;., in New South Wales, and has necessitated costly aerial ::;praying operations in an endeavour to control its spread. A close watch i~> being maintained for signs of any ri::;c in the population of this insect in Victoria, particularly in the mountain foreRtR of the north-Past. whieh eould he vulnerablP to attack through migration of in:'lectR from plague areas. 25

EDCCATIOX .ScHooi. oF FoRESTRY, CRESWICK. The following nine students successfully completed the three-years' course of training at the School in December, 1954, and have been appointed to the professional staff of the Department :~-H. G. Brown. F. G. Craig, B. D. Dexter, G. Griffin. J. G. Hallett, G. D. Ylcintyre, .J. A. :VIorrow. A . .J. Sims, and R .T. Waugh. The various prizrs for thr> yrar were awarded as follows :-­ Victorian Sa wmillers · Association Prile~-- Senior year .J. G. Hallett (Dux of School) Intermediate year P. JJ. Attiwell .Junior vear B. F. Gibson Barrell Prize B. D. Dexter Thorn Prize .J. G. Hallett Wood ward Prizes G. U. Mclntyre and F. n. Craig A.P.l\1. Forests Pty. Ltd. Prizes­ Forest Management .J. G. Hallett Silviculture B. D. Dexter Forest Economics .. B. D. Dexter Ten students were enrolled to commence the School course in Februarv. l H55. and the number of students in residence dming the current academic year is 26. · Mr. A. N. Hambly, Associate Professor of Physical Chemistry of the University of ~Ielbourue, has been appointed a member of the Forrsts Board of Examiners. Mr. D. H. Neale has been appointed to the staff of the Sehool as Seienee MastPr. and Jh. ,J. JI. Fitzpatrick has replaced ::Ylr. L. A. Newman as Lecturer. "!\Ir. A. R. Eddy has been appointed part-time lecturer in Forest Products.

UNIVERSITY OF MELBOCR:-:E. Jicssrs. P. Britton, N. Carr. and .J. R. Channon graduated in the degree of Bachelor of Science in Forestry. Messrs. K. F. Gerraty, L. A. Pederick, and R. K. Rowe commeneed the final year of the same course on Commission scholarships. Owing to ill-health, l\fr. K. G. Nieholls surrendered his scholarship and withdrew from the course. :Mr. I. F. McLaughlin was granted further leave of absence to enable him to complete the degree course. Commission scholarships were awarded to Messrs. A. Hodgson and J. S. Murray, and Mr. A. K. Sheldon was granted leave without pay. These officers commenced the Bachelor of Science in Forestry degree course at the beginning of the current aeademic year.

VISUAL PUBLICITY. Film programmes were presented to a total audience of 14,900, the average attendance per screening being 215. Since the Commission's feature film " Green Gold " was released in 1948. the coming year should mark the passing of the 100,000 total audience mark. · The Commission's latest production entitled "Harvest of the Hills", a 35-minute colour film depicting the many aspects of the local hardwood timber industry in both the bush and the sawmills, was completed in September, 1954. The ready co-operation and assistance rendered by logging contractors and sawmill employees in the production arA acknowledged with appreciation. Another unit of the series " Victorian .Forest Service News Gazette " eovered the training activities of \H Forestry Squadron during the annual camp at Seymour, and ;s being screened particularly in a drive to secure recruitment for the squadron. It is worthy to note that the Commission's fire-prevention publicity film, " Calling VL3AA,"' attracted the attention of representatives of the West German radio network. A substantial portion of the sound track. covering in particular the radio communication sequences. was recorded for transmission to 'Vest Germany to be relayAd in a monthly actuality feature broadeast. 26

STAFF AND ADMINISTRATION. Mr. W. H. Horn, Chief Forester, retirecl during the year after 45 years' service in the Department. He was attached to the Plantations Branch and latterly was officer in charge of the Castlemaine plantation group. Miss H. M. Purnell, Forest Pathologist, resumed duty in November, 1954, on her return from leave during which she undertook a course of study in the Department of Botany at Cambridge. Mr. H. G. Irvine has been posted to the Eastern Division as Divisional Working Plans Officer. The former Niagaroon forest district has been subdivided to form the two separate districts of Niagaroon and Marysville respectively, the latter with headquarters at Marysville. SUMMARY OF DEPARTMENTAL COLLECTIONS DURING FINANCIAL YEAR 1954-55.

£ 8. d. Revenue- Xo. 2 Interest 14 16 2 No. 3 Territorial 1,774,057 ll 0 No. 4 Public Works 101,978 4 0 No. 6 Fines .. 209 5 8 No. i Fees .. 416 8 9 No. 8 Departmental 505,167 2 () No. !) Miscellaneous 7,533 4 2 Loan Fund 45,506 6 7 Repayments to Expenditure 18,113 12 4 -·-·----- Total 2,453,086 lO 8

SUMMARY OF LOAN EXPENDITURE FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 195i-55.

£ 8. d. £ 8. d. Authorized under­ Act 5726 223,872 8 5 Act 5839 674,725 19 10 898,598 8 3 Less- Credits to Loan Fund 45,596 6

853,002 8

UNDER ITEMS. Act 5726 and Act 583!1 £ 8. d. Purchase of Land Item 1 13,740 10 5 Fire Protection Works Item 2 180,895 8 ll General Forests Operations ltem 3 8.5,843 ll 7 Timber Extraction Roads Item 4 446,961 0 0 Plantations ftem ;} iiil,578 18 !) Fixed Assets .. Item 6 26,895 9 5 Plant and Machinery . . . . Item 7 88,683 9 2 Forests Stores Suspense Account Item 8

898,;)98 8 3 LMs-Credits to Loan .Fund 4.5,596 6 7

853,002 1 8 28

STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURE FROM LOANS CURRENT DURING THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1954-53.

EXPENDITURE. AuTHORIZATION.

·"· d. "· d. £ 8. d. i ·'· d. £ 8. d. £ 8. d. i 19;)4. I 19;;3, .June 30. : .July I.

Under A et X o. • Amount !tuthorized 5726- under Act No. Item 1, Purchase 5726- of Land 17,tll3 Ill !) Item l, Purchase Item 2, Fire Pro­ of Land 2.~.000 0 0 tection 117,363 4 Item 2, Fire Pro­ Item 3, Geneml tection 200,000 0 0 Forests Opera­ Item 3, General tiom 17,301 15 !I Forests Opera­ Item 4, Timber tions 80,000 0 () Extraction Hem 4, Timber Roads 328,084 15 10 Extraction Item 5, Planta­ Roads 380,000 0 0 tions 36,622 li Item 5, Planta­ Item 6. Fixed tions 85,000 0 0 Assets 7,343 u 3 Item 6, Fixed Item 7, Plant and Assets 100,000 0 0 Machinery 152,60!) 18 Item 7, Plant and Item 8, For Pay­ Machinery 220,000 0 0 ment into ·a Item 8, For Pav­ Forests Stores ment into ·a Suspense Ac­ v'orests Stm·es count Suspense Ac- 677,031 \) 6 count 10,000 0 0 --··--~-1,100,000 0 0

10ti5 . 1!154. .June 30. .July l.

Under Act Xo. Amount authorized 5726- under Act No. Hem 1, Purchase 5839- of Land 3,!133 !l 2 Item 1, Purchase Item 2. Fire Pro- of Land 25,000 0 0 tection 42,874 10 10 Item 2, Fire Pro- Item 3, General tection 200,000 0 0 Forests Opera- Item 3, General tions 29.,213 17 4 Forests Opera- Hem 4, Timb~ tions 90,000 0 0 Extraction Item 4, Timber Roads ;)l,Uh\ 4 2 F~xtraction Item 5, Planta- Roads 4.50,000 0 0 tions 17,381 ll 6 Item ;), Planta- Item 6, Fixed tions 80,000 0 0 Assets ll,70l 5 ll Item 6, Fixed Item 7, Plant and Asset~ 95,000 0 0 Machinery 66,8;32 !I 6 Item 7, Plant and Item 8, For Pav- Machinery .. 160,000 0 0 ment into ' a 1,100,000 0 0 Forests Storeo --~-----2,200,000 0 0 Suspense Ac- Le,s.s Authoriza. count tion Cancelled 223,872 8 ;} Act 5726 19!1,096 2 ------!}00,903 17 ll

1955. June 30.

Under Act Xo. 5839- Item 1, Purchase of Land !1,807 3 Item 2, Fire Pro- tect.ion 138,020 18 Item 3, General Forests Opera- tions 56,6:W 14 3 Item 4, Timber Extraction Roads 31)5,04.) v; 10 ltem t'1, Planta- tions 38,197 7 3 Item 6_, Fixed Assets l."i,l94 3 6 Item 7, Plant and Machinery 21,830 l!l 8 ------674.72;3 w 10 674,725 19 10 --·----- Carr·ied forward 1,575,629 17 9 Carried forward 2,000,903 17 ll

--·------~~----- STATEMENT OF ExPENDITURE FRO~I LoANS CuRRENT DURING THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1951-55-continued.

EXPENDITURE. AurHORIZATION.

£ 8, d. £ 8. d. £ 8. d. I s. d. £ 8. d. £ 8. d- Brought forward 1,57n,629 17 9 Brought forward 2,000, 903 17 ll

Balance Carried Down (Authorization)- Under Act 'No. 5839- Item 1, Purchase of Land 1•3,192 18 11 Item 2, }'ire Pro- tection 6UI711 11 [tern 3, General E'orests Opera- tions 33.370 i} !i Item 4-, Timber· Extraction Roads •34,!lM 4 2 Item o, Plantn- tionR 41,802 12 (J ltem 6, Fixed Assets 79,805 16 6 Item 7, Plant and Machinery 138,169 0 4 4:!i'i,274 0 :! 425,274 0 2

:!,000,903 17 lt 2,000,903 17 ll

~---··---~-

Hl5;3. ,July l.

By Balance Brought Down under Act No. 5839- Item 1, Purchase of Land 1ii,192 18 H Item 2. Fire Pro- tection 61,9711 11 [tern 3, General Forest~ Operll- tions 33,370 5 \I Item 4, Timber Extraetion Roads 54,Hii4 4 ·) Item 5~ Planta- tion~ 4\,80:! 12 !) Item 6, E'ixed Assets 7!1,805 ]() li Item 7, Plant and Machinery 138,169 0 4 ---~------426,274 0 2 30

STATEMENT OF FORESTRY FUND AS AT 30:rH .TUNE, 1955.

£ 8. d. £ s. d. £ 8. d. :£ 8. d. 1955. 1954. June 30th July 1st To Expenditure-­ By Balance brought forward .. 222,556 15 6 Forests .. 672,778 18 9 Receipts during the year--­ Plantations 78,462 16 5 Amount set aside by the Nurseries 21,101 2 11 Treasurer of Victoria under General 25,446 16 5 Act No. 3685- 797,789 li 6 Balance carried forward 3ll,795 16 6 Section 37 (2) (a) 40,000 0 0 Hection 37 (2) (b) 847,028 15 6 887,028 15 6

1,109,585 ll 0 1,109,585 11 0

1955. July lst By Balance brought forward 311,795 16 6

STATEMENT OF REVENUE AND APPROPRIATED EXPENDITURE FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 30:rH JUNE, 1955.

A)fOUXT PAID INTO CONSOLIDATED REVE::SUE. ExPENDITVRE UNDER Vo•rEs, ETC.

£ 8. d. £ 8. d. £ 8. d. Rents, Grazing Licences, &c. 22,007 16 6 Salaries of Field and Office Staff, Fees 416 8 9 &c. 431,531 3 6 Royalties 1,745,132 7 5 Travelling Expenses, Forage, Stores, Stn:te Mill, Erica 27,583 3 5 &c. 85,068 0 6 Timber Seasoning Works, Newport 74,287 8 0 516,599 4 I) Forest Tramways 80 12 7 School of Forestry 11,380 6 I Charcoal 27 0 0 Timber Seasoning Works 64,632 14 8 Sundries 6,917 7 1 Foresters' Quarters 10,000 0 0 Departmental 505,167 2 0 ];'orest Tramways 1,496 15 2 Vermin and Noxious Weeds 662 13 10 Repairs to Forest Roads 126 10 6 Utilization of Forest Produce 465,000 0 0 State Sawmill, Erica- Working Expenses 22,002 5 6 State Sawmill, Erica-Re-erection 25,669 3 9 Supply of ];'irewood 14,951 14 2 Pa)TOll Tax 14,284 11 2 Expenses in connexion with the use of aircraft for Bush Fire Patrol Duty . 658 0 0 Grant to " Save the Forests Cam­ paign " Council s,ooo 0 0 Grant for preservation of Flora and 1<'tmna, Phillip Island 750 0 0 636,614 14 10 Bahmee 1,228,405 611

2,381,619 5 9 2,381,619 5 9

ACT No. 5475-FORESTS STORES SUSPENSE ACCOUNT AS AT 30TH JUNE, 1955.

Repairs to Repairs to Stores. Plant. St-ores. Plant. 1955. 1954.

June 30 £ 8, d. £ s. d. July 1 £ 8. d. £ 8. d. To Expenditure 438,129 7 9 388,382 13 3 By Balance brought forward 53,617 16 10 202,015 3 9 Balance carried forward 29,037 18 9 122,774 3 0 19:35. June 30 By V;uious credits 413,549 9 8 309,141 12 6

467,167 6 6 511,156 16 3 467,167 6 6 511,156 16 3 1955. July 1 By Balance brought forward 29,037 18 9 122,774 3 0 31

AUT ~o. 5475-~FORERTR PLANT AND MACHINERY FUND AS AT 30TH JUNE, 1955.

1955. 1954. June 30 £ s. d. i .Julv I £ 8. d To Expenditure 105,323 0 0 I By Balnnce brought forward 122,637 19 3 Balance carried forward 189,765 8 6: 19fl5. I,June 30 By Plant Hire 172,450 9 3

295,088 8 6 295,088 8 6

1955. July I By Balance brought forward . . 189,765 8 6

STATE SAWMILL, ERICA. BALA.NCE-SHEET AS AT 30TH JUNE, 1955.

£ 8. d. £ 8. d. £ 8. d. £ 8. d. Capital 19,601 19 10 Buildings 4,506 9 0 Additions for year 25,910 Hl 6 Additions 7,577 9 0 45,512 19 4 Sundry Creditors 2,994 0 9 12.083 18 0 Tractor Depreciation Reserve 3,088 8 3 Les.s Depreciation 513 7 2 Profit and Loss Surnmarv- ll,570 10 10 Balance at lst July, 1'954 35,328 9 3 Plant and ::Vlachinery 14,640 2 2 Le88 Loss for year 7,094 10 7 Additions 17,498 17 10

28,233 18 8 32,139 0 0 Less Adjustment--Stock Valuation Less Depreciation 2,669 9 5 as at lst July, 1954, in respect 29,469 10 7 of timber royalties 7,767 19 2 Tramways and Rolling Stock 648 16 11 20,465 19 6 Additions 834 12 8

1,483 9 7 Less Depreciation 106 13 7 1,376 16 9 Sundry Debtors 5,123 9 5 Less Provision for Doubtful Debts 13 18 9 6,109 10 8 Stock on Hand-­ Timber 7,325 6 9 Stores 1,713 18 0 9,039 4 9 Treasurer of Victoria- Balance at 1st July, 1954 11,685 17 6 Receipts paid to No. 4 Public Work~ 27,639 3 3

39,325 0 9

Less ·working Expenses­ Provided by Vote 22,307 IS 4 Interest on Capital .. 1,466 2 5 H.O. Supervision and Audit Fee 55 f) 0

23,829 5 9 15,495 15 0

72,061 7 10 72,061 7 10

TRADING AccouNT FOR YEAR ENDED 30TH JuNE, 1955.

£ 8. d. £ 8. d. £ "· d. 8. d. 1954. 1956. :July I. June 30. To Stock on Hand- By Sales- Timber 24,150 Hi Timber, &c. 31,138 9 0 Le88 Adjustment of Stock Valuatiun S>Jndries 9 2 3 in respect of royalties (transferred ShoJ> Charges 97 16 3 to Profit and Loss Summary). 7,767 19 2 31,245 7 6 Returns and Allowances Adjusted Vnluation 16,382 ]i) 11 Dess 112 16 2 Stores 1,70.5 7 10 31,132 ll 4 18,088 3 9 Stock on Hand-­ Timber 7,325 6 9 1955. Stores 1,713 18 0 June 30. 9,039 4 9 To \Vages 7,949 8 8 Log Purchases, Royalties, &c. 6,147 l;) ll Repairs and Renewals 518 3 8 Stores, Tools, and ~Iaterials 442 0 3 Depreciation 3,289 10 2 Plant Hire 3,699 14 ll 22,046 13 7 Profit and J~oss Account 36 18 9

40,171 16 40,171 16 l STATE SAW~I!LL, E!HCA-contim•ed.

PROJ:'IT AND Loss AccouNT FOR YEAR ENDED 30TH JuNE, HliJ:'1.

£ 8. d. £ .s. d. t ·'· d. £ 8. d • W5ii . 1!)55. .June 30. .June 30. To Superintendence 1,007 7 8 I By Trading Account 36 18 !l Maintenance and Repairs 247 12 !I · Cottage RentalH .. H6 9 8 Haulage and Cartage Out 3,064 17 4 Itealizat.ion of Assets 3 0 () Insurance 1,262 5 3 419 H 8 Interest on Capital 1,460 2 ,; Profit and Loss Smnmar;; 7,094 10 7 Payroll Tax Hi H 7 H.O. Supervision and Audit Fee ;);) ,) 0 -··----·- 7,;;,;o u o

i,i\50 19 0 7,550 19 0

PRo~'IT AXD Loss SuMMARY AS AT 30TH Ju~m. 195:).

8. d. S, d. 1955. 19.34 . •June 30. ,July 1. To Trading Account-Adjustment of By Balam·c .. Stock Valuation 7,767 HJ 2 Profit and Loss Account 7.0 :4 10 7 Balance .. :!0,46;3 19 6 35,328 9 3 3;'\,329 !) 3 1!15.) . .T nly 1. By Balance 20,465 l!J 6

Hy Authmity: W. M. HoUSTON, Government Printer, Melbourne.