194: 5.

VICTORIA.

FORESTS COMMISSION OF VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA.

TWENTY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT

FINANCIAL YEAR 1944-45.

PRESENTED TO BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT PURSUANT TO ACT No. 3685, SECTION 4.0,

(Approzimat<! 0~ of &p<>r!,-Preparatloll, llOt given, Prtntlng, 950 oopleii),I76,J

8R 6UrthoritJ:: J. J. GOtJRLEY, GOVERNMENT PRINTER, MELBOURNI,

No 15, -[Is, 6n.]-l0402f45.

CONTENTS.

SUMMARY ••

INTRODUCTORY

General; Fire Protection; Timber for Housing; Location of Forest Industrie8; Salvage Plan ; Staff.

FoREST AREA

SILVICULTURE OF bmiGENous FoRESTS

MANAGEMENT oF INDIGENous FoRESTS

PLANTATIONS AND NURSERIES

FoREST PRoTECTION

Fire Protection ; Forests Pests ; Prosecutions.

PAGE

4

5

8

8

10

11

15

UTILIZATION 19 Sawn Timber Statistics; Timber Production; Timber Salvage; Pulpwood Production;

Production of Emergency Firewood; Summary Statement of Forest Produce from which Royalty was received.

BUILDINGS .•

ERICA TRAMWAY

EDUCATIONAL

STAFF

PUBLICATIONS

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 1944-45 Expenditure from Loans Current; Expenditure from State Forest (Timber Salvage)

Loan and Application Act No. 4632 ; Jl~orestry Fund; Revenue and Appropriated Expenditure; Eucalyptus Oil Distillery, Wellsford; Charcoal Production; Firewood Production; Timber Seasoning Works, Newport; State Sawmill, Erica; Erica Tramway.

DETAILED SAWMILLING STATISTICS 1944-45

24

24

24

25

25

26

35

Area of Reserved Forest at 30.6.45

Area·silviculturally treated ..

Area ·of coniferous plantations­Total at end of 1944 planting New planting 1944 season

Number of fires in State forests

Area burned-State forest

t3UMM.ARY.

Vehicular tracks and roads constructed

Vehicular tracks and roads maintained

Area strip and patch burned

Output of sawn timber from State forests

Output of plantation-grown softwood timber (log measure)

Output of pulpwood from State forests

Royalties received from forest produce

Gros& Revenue

Gross Expenditure­Forestry Fund .. Votes and Special Appropriations Loans Current 1944-45 ..

4,904,364 acres.

4, 767 acres.

46,418 acres. 55 acres.

150

33,700 acres.

397 miles.

1,885 miles.

87,403 acras.

155,759,000 super. feet.

13,741,677 super, feet.

2,247,005 cubic feet.

£284,631

£817,036

£154,723 £781,843 £480,234

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE FORESTS COll}IISSION OF VICTORIA FOR THE tEAR ENDED 30TH JU.NE, 1945.

The Forests Commission completed 25 years of administration of the forests of this State on 1st October, 1944.

The Forest Act of 1918, passed in December of that year, constituted the Commission aa a corporate body charged with the administration of the Forest Act and Regulations. An interesting comparison involving a quarter of a century of progress under the Commission's administration is evident from a glance at the following Table :-

1!117-18. 1944-46.

Reserved Forest Area 4,162,273 acres 4,904,364 acres

Revenue .. £57,731 £992,389

E~enditure £60,193 £1,431,599

Field Staff Establishment .. 104 159

Output of sawn timber from forested Crown lands .. 60,360,600 sup. ft. 155,759,500 sup. ft.

It is a matter for regret that during this period the total area of permanently dedicated forest has increased only by 742,091 acres to 4,904,364 acres, much of which can be classed only as protection forest and is not strictly speaking timber producing. As it is estimated that there are nearly 10,000,000 acres of Crown lands in the State carryi•g merchantable forest, lack of progress in this direction is the more regrettable.

INTRODUCTION.

The end of the European war during the year 1944-45 has not been without its effects on the Commission's operations for the period. This factor, coupled with the driving of the Japanese farther and farther from the Australian continent, and an anticipated early end to the Pacific war, has enabled manpower to be released from the services and essential industry, and has caused a slackening of the demand for timber for war purposes. Any timber supplies made available in this manner have been quickly absorbed by the building industry, particularly in the implementation of Commonwealth and State housing schemes. .

Whilst the Commission has not benefited greatly by manpower releases, the timber industry-particularly sawmilling-has received some relief from this source. Most mills were considerably understaffed and they have been able to augment staffs to the extent that a slight increase in production over figures for the previous year has retnlted.

The Commission anticipates that with further improvements in the manpower, fuel, and rubber position it will be able in the immediate future to curtail its activities in those phases of utilization where it has been compelled throughout the period of national emergency to assist or temporarily replace private enterprise during the war years. This will enable labor so released to be transferred to those silvi.cultural and other forest works which have fallen into arrears during the war period, especia.lly the treatment of areas of E. regnans regeneration in the Upper Yarra, Toorongo, and Tanjil areas.

Realizing the importance of forestry as a post-war avenue of employment, and the material value of the forests as a reproductive asset, the Commonwealth Government through the National Works Council has approved the Commission's plans for post-war works totalling £3,842,175 in the first two years of the post-war period. This is supplementary to the normal works programme. To this end much forward planning has been necessary, but . difficulties have been experienced in obtaining sufficient technical staff to carry out preliminary organization, particularly in regard to forest road projects.

6

If the demands for timber for post-war purposes are to be met, it is most necessary that measures should be taken immediately to secure to the State the reservation in perpetuity of all those areas at present carrying milling quality timber or which have in the past carried such timber and can b~ regenerated. In this connexion, attention is again directed to those extensive areas in the eastern portion of the State carrying excellent stands of millable timber, but which have not as yet been dedicated as permanent forest. These forests are expected to play an important part in the post-war development of the State.

The completion of salvage operations in the areas killed by the 1939 fires necessitates the transfer of a considerable number of mills within the next three years, and it is to these at present unreserved forests that the State must look for its future supplies of milling timber. The expenditure of a considerable amount of money on road construction and fire protection works will be necessary, and the Commission is of the firm opinion that permanent dedication of these areas should be effected without delay in order to protect the atlsets thus created.

FIRE PROTECTION.

Following a dry cycle over the greater part of the State since the 1939 fires, culminating in severe drought in many areas over the past two years, an exceedingly bad fire season was a reasonable expectation, but fortunately no serious fires were experienced. This, although due in some measure to generally favorable climatic conditions during the summer period, can also be attributed to the development of the Commission's fire prevention, detection and suppression organization which enabled outbreaks to be located and extinguished in their early stages. The year was a particularly dry one and drought conditions constituted a record in certain locations. The radio communication system was further developed and contributed materially to improved efficiency in fire protection or~nization.

The absence of any serious fires since 1939 will necessitate increased vigilance during the coming summer season by the general public as well as by all Commission officers and employees. With the advent of favorable conditions for a prolific growth of elements in the understorey, particularly in mountain forests, plus accumulations of slash over the past six years as a result of salvage operations, there is an increased fire hazard in these areas.

TIMBER FOR HousiNG.

Mention of this aspect of Commission activities was made in the last Annual Report, and with the war in Europe now concluded and the end of the Pacific war in sight, the matter has become one of the utmost urgency .

• Various factors have combined to create a shortage of select and seasoning quality timber in recent months, and one of the main tasks facing the Commission is the alleviation of this shortage. This means, firstly, the opening up of areas carrying E. gigantea and, secondly, the education of the public and the trade in the use of other species for board timber. E. viminalis and E. nitens are already being used and it is felt also that clean timber from E. obliqua, E. capitellata, E. Australiana and E. Sieberiana have also proved quite suitable for manufacture into floorings and weatherboards and an extension of the use of these timbers is desirable.

The ready availability of high quality large size timber in areas conveniently situated in the past has precluded the utilization of smaller dimension logs from mature trees, particularly of foothill species, but the development of end-on and lateral jointing, manu­facture of bonded laminated timber, and other advances in wood plastics should result in closer future utilization in this respect. The attainment of this aim by the use of these smaller logs is essential if sufficient timber is to be made available to meet the demand of timber for housing.

7

LOCATION OF FOREST INDUSTRIES.

The Commission's policy of discouraging the location of industries within State forests as explained in the Annual Report for 1943·-44 has been clarified, and orderly development of logging policy in new areas is being planned on the basis of conversion outside the forest.

Apart from the advantages to be thus gained in forest management, this will enable employees and their families to enjoy amenities which as a general rule have not obtained in the past, and, further, the serious loss of life in isolated forest communities in the 1939 bush fires has imposed on the State a grave moral obligation to see that forest workers and their families are not exposed to risks of this nature in future.

SALVAGE PLAN.

Under the Commission's Salvage Plan, following the 1939 forest fires, the target figure set for the salvaging of 916,000,000 super. feet out of a total estimate of 2,000,000,000 super. feet of fire~killed timber was attained by May, 1945, two mQnths ahead of schedule, and on present estimates considerably more than 1,000,000,000 super. feet should be utilized before the timber deteriorates to such an extent as to be no longer useable. The prospects for considerable further yields from fire-killed areas are gQod and market conditions promise to remain favorable for some years. It is anticipated that at least a further 200,000,000 super. feet can be recovered, provided past efforts are continued and road construction into hitherto inaccessible fire-killed areas is expeditiously developed.

STAFF.

Although attention was directed in the Commission's last Annual Report to the most unsatisfactory position so far as staff is concerned, the Commission feels compelled to again emphasize the seriousness of the position. Some indication of the greatly increased activities of the Commission over the past fifteen years is reflected in a comparison of Revenue and Expenditure figures for that period. The total annual revenue shows an increase of nearly eight times the original fi~re or 771 per cent. and the increase in the annual expenditure is over 500 per cent. The total increase in the professional staff over the same period is 8 per cent. Apart from other considerations, these figures amply illustrate the serious staff shortage which threatens the Commission's administration.

Unalienated Crown land over which the Commission exercises control in varying de~rees totalled 23,804,014 acres, giving each officer responsibilitv for an average area of about 220,000 acres distributed over an average territorial area of 500,000 acres.

When compared with the responsibility of foresters in countries which have developed a more intensive forest control, and where each professional officer manages 5,000-10,000 acres, and in many cases considerably less, the necessity to build up the forest administration in this State is evident. The attention of the Public Service Board ha8 been directed by the Commission to the need for increasing the staff to cope with the added demands made on the service generally.

In order to properly plan post-war works already approved, the Commission seeks the appointment of additional technical staff and has made application to the Public Service Board accordingly. As three to five years are required in the training of a qualified forester, it is necessary to increase the number of students in training at the Forestry School.

The Commission is perturbed at the continued loss of senior officers who have left the service to seek more lucrative employment elsewhere, and had it not been for the National Security (Manpower) Regulations, the services of several other professional officers of long experience would also have been lost. .

An overhaul of staff organization is long overdue, together with a review of staff establishment and classification with a view to the introduction at an early date of salary scales more commensurate with the qualifications and responsibilities of the officers involved. A suggested scheme for reclassification has been submitted to the Public Service Board by the Commission and has been under consideration for some time.

8

FOREST AREA.

The area of Reserved Forest at 30th June, 1945, remains unchanged from last year. The following table showing land ownership in Victoria is an extract from the Report of the Department of Lands and Survey for 1943-44, and provides an interesting comparison of forest areas and other forms of land utilization in this State.

LAND OWNERSHIP IN VICTORIA.

Lands alienated in fee simple ... Lands in process of alienation .. Unalienated as at 30th June, 1944

CLASSIFICATION OF. UNALIEN4.T~D LAND,

Permanent forests Timber reserves State forests and timber reserves (Land Act) Water reserves Reserves for agricultural colleges, experimental farms, &c. Reserves in Mallee Other reserves Roads Water frontages, beds of rivers, lakes, &c., unsold la~d in cities, towns,

. boroughs Occupied land as under:-­

Perpetual leases Other leases and licences Temporary grazing licences Unoccupied

Acres.

28,795,025 3,646,721

23,804,014

56,245,760

4,186,782 717,582 157,897 314,048 88,586

410,000 543,864

1,794,218

4,726,553

88,076 21,473

9,395,700 1,359,235

23,804,014

In connexion with the re-afforestation of areas denuded of timber by settlement and subsequently abandoned in South Gippsland, the Commission has proceeded with the investigation and resumption of suitable areas. To 30th June, 1945, negotiations for the purchase of 20,000 acres had been :finalized but these areas still await :final dedication as Permanent Forest.

'i

SILVICULTURE OF INDIGENOUS FORESTS. Silvicultural work has again been reduced to a minimum because of restricted

manpower, coupled with the need to utilize all available Commission labour in operations concerned with the production of timber for the needs of essential industries and the fighting services. The total area treated during the year was 4,767 acres.

Treatment of surplus coppice has not been possible owing to the necessity to divert all available manpower to more urgent works. The necessity to defer such work on these areas over the past four to five years must eventually result in greatly increased operational costs when manpower eventually becomes available in sufficient supply to overtake the leeway. In addition, the competition of the coppice growth with final crop trees .in the stand must result in a reduction in increment growth over this period.

Regeneration of Mountain Ash (Euc. regnans), Alpine Ash (Euc. gigantea), Messmate (Euc. obliqua) and other species which resulted from the 1939 fires, still continues in most cases to show satisfactory development. Small scale replanting of areas on which no regeneration resulted has been carried on as far as restricted staffs would permit, but it is hoped that in the immediate post-war period, when manpower for this work becomes available, a greatly increased program of re-afforestation of blank areas with Mountain Ash and other hard woods will be possible. In this regard, it is not intended to confine -operations ;: solely to areas deforested by the 1939 fires, but to include also. extensive areas in South: Gippsland denuded of timber for settlement and since abandoned.

9

The following statement shows the extent of silvicultural works carried out during the year and for the four previous years from 1940--41 for purposes of comparison.

Nature. of Work.

irst thinning . . F

s econd or subsequent thinning

. .

. .

R egeneration or liberation treatment

R emoval of surplus coppice . .

Total 0. . .

1944-45.

Acres.

. . .. 3,043

. . .. 517

. . . . 1,207

. . . . ..

. . .. 4,767

1943-44. 1942-43. 1941-42. 194G-41.

Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres.

2,285 4,274 4,843 5,326

490 1,836 5,091 3,632

. . .. 900 1,755

87 3,737 17,842 70,437

2,862 9,847 28,676 81,150

The whole of the thinning operations carried out were in connexion with the cutting of emergency firewood supplies.

Drought conditions continue to seriously affect stands in the northern parts of the State, more particularly Cypress Pine in the north-west and the Red Gum forests of the Murray Valley.

Mention has been made in previous Reports of the deterioration which is taking place in the Red Gum forests along the River Murray as a result of disturbance of the natural flow of the river by necessary water conservation works instituted by the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission. This deterioration has been accentuated by a dry cycle embracing the last seven years. Rainfall figures for several stations within the catchment are given below and from these it will be seen that only in two years since 1936 has the rainfall reached the average. The most serious effects are noticeable in the Barmah and Gunbower forests, which comprise the most valuable commercial stands of Red Gum along the river.

--Number

of - Years Average. 1934. 1935. 1936. 1937. 1938. 1939. 1940. 1941. 1942. 1943. 1944.

Records Taken.

--------------------------

In. In. In. I In. In. In. In. In. In. In. In. In.

Whitfield .. 34 43'25 51'30 47 '76 47 '61 31'21 25 '16 68"27 23'67 41 '38 53'55 31'56 25 '13 Bright .. 62 41'92 51 ·gg 45'23 47'09 31'48 25'30 62'30 25'69 36'92 50'31 36 '14 24'59 Tallangatta .. 62 32'29 39'62 34 '13 34'43 23'34 17'86 48'64 19 '24 27'21 35'88 28 '19 16'99 Corryong .. 51 28'63 36'76 28'95 29'96 22'03 16'50 38'86 19 ·o7 21 '57 33'26 24'90 16'25 Omeo .. .. 64 25'78 35'69 28'21 35'24 22'83 16'92 32'54 22'93 24 '48 28'33 24'27 18'01 Hotham Heights 15 60'09 .. 61 '69 57'63 40'60 42'40 .. 40'94 49'96 75•96 43 '12 36'43 Harrietville .. 46 55'86 66'58 57'42 52'86 42'67 37 '24 74'4!) 36'81 53 '10 67'69 43 '77 34'01 Gien Wills .. 6 38'91 .. .. .. .. . . .59 '46 32'23 33'85 47'31 34'12 26'46

Bearing in mind that this deterioration is likely to increase considerably as floods decrease in frequency and intensity owing to the increased harnessing of the river in connexion with irrigation projects, the Commission conferred with the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission with a view to ascertaining the practicability of artificially inundating at least the more v~luable fores~ _country. ~ith the co-operation promised by th~s body, it is hoped that 1t may be posstble to retam a percentage of the Red Gum areas m production. The actual area which it will be possible to irrigate can only be determined by accurate survey.

Following the conference with the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission, a conference was arranged with the New South Wales Forestry Commission, which is faced with a similar situation on the opposite side of the river. A plan was formulated for a survey of the Red Gum areas on both sides of the river to determine the extent and principal causes of the deterioration, and to suggest methods for regular flooding of the more pro­ductive areas.

10

When the value of these forests to the development of the Murray Valley region as an irrigation area under intense cultivation is considered, the necessity to do everything possible to ensure their perpetuation as a source of timber will be readily acknowledged.

In the case of the Cypress Pine (Callitris) areas, a high rate of mortality as a result of the cycle of dry years is causing concern. Little can be done with regard to treatment of these areas by irrigation, a project which would be so costly as to be quite impracticable. It is the more essential, therefore, that regeneration of the species should be encouraged by other means, not only from a timber production viewpoint but also to check serious wind erosion and sand drift. To this end it is necessary that all areas on which regeneration is required should be closed to grazing until the seedlings are well established and old enough to be no longer tempting to stock as a fodder.

MANAGEMENT OF INDIGENOUS FORESTS. SURVEYS.

Survey work was concentrated on the location and survey of forest roads in mountainous areas to facilitate timber extraction and improve access for fire prevention, detection and suppression purposes, and on the location and demarcation of forest boundaries. Ninety-one miles of road surveys were completed during the year and 32 miles of forest boundaries demarcated.

The Commission is in urgent need of licensed surveyors, assistant surveyors, draftsmen and chainmen to overtake arrears of work. Present rates of salary are too low to attract licensed surveyors, particularly in view of the arduous nature of the work and unattractive conditions compared with survey work for other authorities or under private practice. Until higher remuneration is offered to offset the hard working and living conditions, there is little hope of attracting qualified and competent men to the service.

AERIAL SuRVEY.

In collaboration with the R.A.A.F. authorities, the aerial survey of extensive areas of central, eastern and north-eastern Victoria has been continued. Over 13,000 sq. miles have now been flown and the regions photographed include relatively inaccessible areas comprising the headwaters of the Goulburn, Yarra and Gippsla.nd rivers and the mountainous forest areas of the north-eastern and eastern parts of the State about which little or no information was previously available. The preparation of mosaics and photo maps is well advanced and much valuable information has now been recorded.

From the mosaics thus prepared, the work of planning projects for the development of these previously inaccessible areas and their protection from fire has been facilitated. This preliminary planning is a basic prerequisite to the designing of transportation systems for the extraction of timber for housing and other post-war building purposes. The development of aerial photography has also enabled the Commission to reduce the amount of preliminary ground reconnaissance necessary in stock-taking and road location surveys. An endeavour is now being made by the Commission's technical staff to develop a rapid stock-taking and assessment technique, using aerial survey and photo maps as a basis with control by ground parties. It is interesting to note that the first aerial photography carried out by the R.A.A.F. on behalf of the Commission was of the Steiglitz area, about 15,000 acres of which was photographed on 31st October, 1931, and mosaics were subsequently prepared from the photographs obtained. Many of the photographs and mosaics have already proved of considerable value to other authorities to which they have been made available.

The Commission desires to express its warm appreciation of the co-operation of the R.A.A.F. in adjusting its aerial survey program for the purposes of military mapping to meet, as far as possible, the Commission's urgent requirements. .

FoREST MAPPING AND AssEsSMENT.

Detailed stocktaking and assessment of the mountainous areas of prime milling forest to be developed to accommodate mills now operating in the fire-killed areas was put in hand during the year.

Procurement of personnel and survey gear caused the utmost difficulty, but by making the best of what was available and utilizing to the full the current outturn of graduates from the Victorian Forestry School, it was possible to maintain up to seven parties in the field.

11

It is possible to give only approximate figures for the area of forest assessed and mapped during the year as all surveys were still in progress at 30th June. Interim figures are as follows:-

Central Division (Toolangi F. D.) Southern Division (Neerim F. D.) Gippsland Division (Nowa Nowa, Bruthen and Orbost F.Ds.)

Total

6,000 acres 2,000 acres

23,000 acres

33,000 acres

In addition, a reconnaissance is in progress of forested Crown lands in the Western Division with a view to determining the potentialities of these areas for timber production, and type maps are being prepared. It is estimated that the survey of 50,000 acres had been completed at the end of the ~ancial year.

The necessity to concentrate all available staff on utilization over the past six years, first as a result of the 1939 fires and then for the production of timber for the services and essential industry for war purposes, has seriously handicapped the Commission in development of its mapping, assessment and management program. At the time of the 1939 fires, the Commission's future planning for the continuity of operation of the saw­milling industry was well advanced. Assessment and organization for utilization was complete and cutting had commenced in the East and West Tanjil valleys, and the Toorongo and Thomson valleys were in process of being opened up. These areas carried quantities of sawn timber estimated at 900,000,000 super. feet, sufficient to support the Ash milling industry at its then rate of production for up to 20 years. In addition, the assessment and mapping of the Mount Useful and Nunniong areas were in hand and the Commission's preliminary reconnaissance was extending over the Central Divide to Mount Ho\\ritt, including the valleys of the King, Howqua, MacAllister, Barkly and Big Rivers.

As a result of the destruction by fire of the greater part of the timber in this belt, it became necessary to complete utilization in a much shorter period than originally planned, and manpower difficulties during the war years have precluded the vigorous development of the Commission's assessment and mapping program, thus delaying the extension of management plans to other areas.

Despite all these setbacks, it has been obvious to the Commission for some time that provision would have to be made at no very distant date for the re-establishment of a very considerable proportion of the sawmilling industry in new cutting areas. To ensure that the transfer should take place with a minimum of disruption to the industry and to the multitude of other industries dependent on it, the Commission early in 1942 set about the re-establishment of its Forest Assessment and Survey Division, so that the location and assessment of stands of virgin green timber of milling quality could be proceeded with and organization for utilization planned and lines of access determined.

Provision of equipment has been difficult and maintenance of the strength of parties has been almost impossible because of manpower shortage, but despite these handicaps, much has been done. Much still remains to be done and the Commission is making every endeavour to build up the strength of its assessment and survey branch to keep ahead of developments in the field of utilization and thus avoid unnecessary disorganization of industry.

PLANTATIONS AND NURSERIES.

SEASONAL CONDITIONS.

Aggregate rainfall over plantation areas for the financial year just ended was the lowest for many years except in the Otway district, the periods August-September, 1944, and January-May, 1945, respectively recording particularly light registrations. While the former period proved somewhat severe for newly-planted stock, useful rains during October­December materially assisted germination and subsequent establishment of nursery seedling crops which, together with lined-out stock, were safely carried over the ensuing dry period by means of intensive cultivation. Lifting and despatch of nursery stock, which normally begins early in May, became possible only following a definite break in the weather in June.

12

PLANTING OPERATIONS.

The position with respect to manpower remained substantially the same as in the preceding year and planting activity was correspondingly restricted. Seasonal work for 1944 included the following :-

New planting 55 acres Re-stocking, cut-over areas 49 acres Renewals in previously planted areas 67 acres

171 acres

The total plantation area was increased only by 55 acres to 46,418 acres gross, but the species distribution was not materially altered fr9m that obtaining at the close of the 1943 season. At this stage approximately 63 per cent. of the crops consisted of P. radiata, with the balance distributed between P. ponderosa, P. laricio, P. pinaste:r, and Ps. taxijolia.

NuRSERY WoRK.

Sowing of seed was effected to the extent of supply available. Upwards of 2,000,000 seedlings of excellent type resulted from the 1944 sowings, and in view of the now more favorable war position and of the necessity for readiness to embark rapidly on planting schemes now in course of preparation, it is most desirable that labour be made available for the lining-out of this seedling stock. An appreciable quantity of transplant stock ready for direct planting is this season being made available for use in connexion with the " Save the Forests " Campaign and for sales to the public.

Stock Summary-Planting and Nursery Season, 1944. Total area planted (comprising re-stocking of cut-over areas, renewals, &c.,) 171 acres.

(a) Plants used for 1944 season :­Planted direct from local nurseries Transferred from local nurseries ..

(b) Plants supplied to State Schools, public bodies, &c., from Macedon State nursery and local plantation nurseries

Total

(c) Plants raised in nurseries for future planting Lined-out in local nurseries from locally raised stock Advanced stock held in local nurseries Seedlings held in drills and beds

Total

(d) Sowing of coniferous seed ..

NATURAL REGENERATION.

76,506 30,500

161,091

268,097

1,170,000 113,950 503,000

1,786,950

516! lb.

The position with respect to occurrence and development of seedling growth below stands now well opened up and approaching maturity is being closely watched, and in two instances-crops established in 1916 at Bright and in 1918-19 at Yarrowee, respectively­regeneration is so promising that clear felling has recently been commenced. Regeneration at Creswick following clear felling in 1940 has developed most satisfactorily, some of the stock being now from 6 to 8 feet high. This crop was mattock-thinned during the year to an averaD"e 3 feet espacement and will probably require to be further opened up within the next

0

two years. Experimental work with respect to development of seedling growth under older stands indicates that root competition exercises a greater adverse influence than does the shade thrown by the parent crop.

13

WoRKING PLANs. During the year, field reconnaissance has been completed and working plans drawn

up for areas at Allambee and Childers, South Gippsland, in readiness for post-war planting. Where sufficient Mountain Ash remains to permit of natural seeding, the plans have been zoned accordingly, and allowance made for rounding-off such areas by means of planting of tubed hardwoods. Conifers will be used to stock the major balance of the areas, in connexion with which there were. laid down last winter small experimental plots of P. 'radiata, P. laricio, P. ponderosa, and Ps. taxijolia, while a small nursery area at Mirboo North was prepared and stocked with seedlings of P. radiata and P. ponderosa. The former species will this winter be planted out on the margin of the Mirboo East area, the latter being required to remain for another year in the transplant line. Meanwhile, further field reconnaissance is being carried out over prospective planting areas in the Morwell River valleys (east and west) and Gunyah region preparatory to compilation of working plans, while additional working plans are complete or in process of compilation with respect to areas in the north-east, Ballarat and Scarsdale localities. Use is being made of aerial survey photographs in preliminary subdivision of areas in relation to configuration, and the location within reasonable limits of pockets of Mountain Ash and other existing stands.

· CULTURAL OPERATIONS.

Some further leeway has been made up with respect to pruning and light thinning by continued use of alien labour, but a heavy outstanding program of this important silvicultural work has yet to be faced. Experimental plots laid down at Ovens in 1939 in a crop of P. radiata then four years old, with the object of determining the effect of green pruning in varying degrees of severity, have now provided useful information. In this experiment four plots were marked out in succession through an even portion of the crop, each with a half-chain surround subject to like conditions. Initial treatment comprised in turn, pruning to 75 per cent., 50 per cent. and 25 per cent. respectively of green branches in relation to total height of tree, the fourth plot remaining unpruned as control. In succeeding years pruning has been extended so as to maintain the percentage ratio of pruned to unpruned length of stem, and measurement data recorded of height and diameter development of tree~ within respective plots.

Summarizing results to date, the effect on growth as between pruned plots and the unpruned control may be gauged from the following:-

-

~

verage increase in height A

A verage increase in girth, B.H.

. .

. .

Unpruned Control.

.. 18·04 feet

.. 10·15 inches

Pruned Pruned Pruned 25 Per Cent. 50 Per Cent. 75 Per Cent.

---16·38 feet 15·06 feet 13·06 feet

9·38 inches 7 ·89 inches 7 ·11 inches

It will be noted that growth has been appreciably retarded in the two heavily prun~ plots, but only slightly so in the 25 per cent. pruned plot, while mortality within the five year test period comprised three trees in the 75 per cent. pruned and two trees in the 50 per cent. pruned plots respectively. From these tests, it is apparent that current practice of early pruning to axe-height (approx. 25 per cent.) is fully justified in that any initial and minor check is more than offset by the advantages secured with respect to reduction of fire hazard, and facilitating ease of access and subsequent silvicultural treatment.

UTILIZATION OF PLANTATION PRODUCE.

Procurement of softwood timber for defence purposes has been maintained at the highest possible level consistent with manpower, machinery and rolling stock available. With respect to the last, shortage of rail truck accommodation consequent on the coal position necessitated some easing up in preparation of logs, with the result that despatches were slightly under the aggregate total for the preceding year.

While the bulk of the timber produced was in the form of thinnings, a certain amount of clear felling has recently been commenced at Bright (1916 crop) and Yarrowee (1918-19 crop) where the stands had previously been well opened up over natural regeneration.

14

A matter of some urgency with respect to exploitation of forward areas, partioularly in the north-east and shortly at Aire Valley plantation, is the need for adequate road-making machinery. Two light angle-dozers at present temporarily engaged are doing excellent work, but more permanent employment of such and the possible provision where necessary of a heavier unit is essential alike to the execution of immediate silvicultural treatment and maintenance of supply of much needed timber.

The demand for selected logs of P. radiata for manufacture into match splints continues to increase, and supply of this material during 1944-45 exceeded that of the previous year by approximately 60,000 super. feet, and represented a total for the year of 1,427,619 super. feet. From clear felling now in progress, the outturn of peeling logs will be appreciably higher, there being few trees which do not produce at least one suitable log, while from some trees up to 60 per cent. of peeling quality timber is obtained.

Small pine timber for manufacture into cellulose for explosives has been in fluctuating demand, supply for the year being P..ppro:x--imately 800,000 super. feet. A test run of residual pine billets for production of high grade charcoal for defence purposes (time fuses, &c.) has proved eminently successful and orders for further immediate supply have been placed. Acceptance of material for this purpose down to a diameter of 1! inches, serves to illustrate the close utilization which is possible with softwood timber.

Aggregate outturn during the year from all plantations totalled 13,741,677 super. feet and was produced as under:-

nglesea . . ire Valley ..

A A B B 0 D H M M 0 s s w y

elgrave . . right . . reswick . . argile . . arcourt . . oonlight Flat t. Macedon vens . . carsdale . . tanley . . aarre . . arrowee . .

Plantation.

.. . .

. . . .

. . . .

. . . .

. . . .

. . . .

. . . .

. . . .

. . . .

. . . .

. . . .

. . . .

. . . .

. . . .

Total . .

Volume Output of Logo (Hoppuo Measurement). Nature of Operation.

. . . . . . Super. feet.

356,526 Clear felling . . . . .. 206,580 Thinning . . .. . . 171,219 Thinning . . .. . . 4,257,063 Thinning and clear felling .. . . . . 1,768,559 Thinning and clear felling .. . . . . 190,249 Clear felling . . .. . . 951,196 Thinning . . .. . . 842,298 Thinning . . .. . . 259,437 Thinning .. . . . . 1,098,853 Thinning . . .. . . 1,313,308 Thinning . . .. . . 31,550 Thinning . . .. . . 268,444 Thinning . . .. . . 2,026,395 Thinning and clear felling

. . .. . . 13,741,677

After deducting cost of fa.lling and preparation, and carting to and loading of logs on rail trucks, the value free on rails despatch station amounted to approximately £60,000.

Additional revenue from sales of trees and shrubs, poles, firewood, &c., returned approximately £2,970. • With the sustained and progressively increasing yield assured as the younger and larger areas come into production, accumulated charges with respect to establishment and maintenance of successive crops may in turn be progressively written off. Moreover, when inclusive revenue from interim and final crop yield from some of the earlier, small stands of P. radiata now being clear felled is considered in relation to gross expenditure (at compound interest) over the full rotation of these crops, it will be found that the investment on such by the State has been commercially sound.

SEED SUPPLIES.

Some difficulty was experienced during the war years in obtaining seed supplies for the Commission's nurseries. These were previously imported from United States of America and Great Britain and Pin us radiata was obtained from New Zealand. Early improvement is expected as a consequence of the end of the European war and the prospect of the conclusion of the Pacific war in the near future.

In order that the Commission may be in a position to extract its own seed supplies, it has been decided to install seed extraction, testing and storage facilities in a central locality. Accordingly, plans for the establishment of a seed extraction kiln, seed stores and testing laboratory at Macedon have been prepared and it is expected that construction will begin at an early date.

us FOREST PROTECTION.

(a) FIRE PROTECTION.

Summary.

One hundred and fifty fires occurred in reserved and protected forests, affecting a total area of 33,700 acres. Of these fires, 18 originated on private property. During the year, forest staff attended a total of 176 fires of which 44, or 25 per cent. of the total, occurred on or originated from private property. Approximately 50 per cent. of the total area burned (including that most severely damaged) and 29 per cent. of all forest fires occurred in the Western Division, the Wombat and Daylesford districts suffering the greatest damage. It is noteworthy that the reserved forest of the Grampians mountain catchment was fire free, although some Crown lands to the south and permanent forest to the west of it were affected. The alpine country and Hume catchment were virtually free from fire for the entire summer, and once again it is pleasing to record that the regenerated Mountain Ash forests escaped almost unscathed.

A statement of burned areas by Divisions is given below.

Division. Number of Fires. Area Affected.

Acres. N orth-eaetern . . . . . . . . .. . . 20 3,800 Western . . . . . . . . . . .. 44 16,300 Southern . . . . . . . . .. . . 20 2,910 Central . . . . . . . . . . .. 20 3,470 Northern . . . . . . . . .. . . 22 920 Eastern . . . . . . .. . . . . 24 6,300

The fact that after two years of relatively dry conditions forest areas escaped serious damage can be attributed to the following reasons :-

(a) blow-up conditions were not maintained for a period exceeding 24 hours at any one time ;

(b) the moderate weather which prevailed during February and March; and

(c) the steadily improving organization to cope with outbreaks.

The following summary shows the nature and extent of protective works carried out during the year :-

Length of forest roads and motor tracks constructed " A " class roads " B " class roads " C " class roads " D " class roads " E " class roads

Length of forest roads and tracks maintained , , patrol tracks constructed , , , , maintained , , new firebreaks constructed ,

"

, existing firebreaks maintained , new firelines constructed

, , existing firelines maintained Area of patch and strip burning

10 miles 140

" 100 , 113

" 34 , --- 397 miles

1,885 " 52 ,

100 , 20

" 575 , 16

" 410 "

87,403 acres j

Water Conservation Works­

Dams constructed

Dams cleaned

Tanks constructed

Weirs constructed

16

Springs cleaned or maintained ..

Water races constructed

, , maintained

Fire towers erected

, lookouts established

Fire protection huts­constructed maintained

Dugouts constructed­Commission Others

New telephone lines erected

Existing telephone lines maintained

Season,a,l Conditions.

59

39

22

7

83

38

850

7

3

6 19

12 15

54 miles

587 "

The State was drought stricken during the year 1944, conditions being particularly acute north of the Dividing Range. Fire conditions developed fairly early and intensified until the end of January. During this period there were several bad blow-up days, but north winds fortunately did not on any occasion persist for more than 24 hours at a stretch. Critical conditions were recorded on 8th and 28th November, 29th December, 8th and 24th January, and 8th February, but subsequently the weather, though remaining dry, became much more moderate. Good rains fell in East Gippsland at the end of l\Iarch.

On 8th and 24th January, conditions were so dangerous that the Commission invoked the Rural Fire Prevention Order No. 55 banning the operation of gas producers.

An interesting feature of the season was the extent to which dust in the atmosphere impaired visibility, not only reducing observation from fire towers to a radius approaching zero but also seriously affecting aircraft operation for reconnaissance. On 22nd March visibility was zero by noon, all aircraft being grounded. On that day a serious fire developed in the Toolangi district and attained considerable dimensions before being detected. This was the only fire of the season in the regenerated Mountain Ash forests.

The Proclamation was issued in two parts as follows:-(a) For the period 6th December to 15th March inclusive-northern and north­

western Victoria, west of the main Melbourne-Albury trunk line; (b) for the period 20th December to 15th March inclusive--the remainder of

the State.

It was not considered necessary to extend the Proclamation beyond 15th March in any instance. Landhol~ers were ~uick to seize the ?Pportunity of bu:ning off immediately the Proclamation was lifted, causmg thereby a certam amount of anxiety to forest officers but no serious forest losses occurred as a result of such activities. '

The forest history of the State has shown that the most serious' losses due to fire have always occurred following a .l?rolonge.d droug~t. The relatively low incidence of fires and light d:amage under the cond1t10ns whwh prevailed last summer" are ·therefore very gratifying.

17

Law Enforcement. Pror.cerlings against offenders under the fire prevention provisions of the Forests

Acts resultwl as follows : Number of prosecutions Number of convictions Amount of fines Amount of costs ..

10 10

£123 £6 14s. 6d.

The maximum penalty inflicted was a fine of £50 : no gaol sentences were imposed. Warning letters wore addressed to twelve persons in cases where either offences were of a technical nature only or evidence was insufficient to justify legal proceedings.

Causes of Fires. An analysis of the causes of fires is given in the table hereunder :-

Forest licencees and workmen L andholders . . . . Smokers .. . . . . Sportsmen, campers and tourists

razing interests . . . . eliberately lit . . .. ightning .. . . mouldering debris . .

G D L s M iscellaneous known causes

u nknown . . . .

Origin.

. . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .

. . .. . . . .

. . .. . . . .

. . .. . . . .

. . . . . . . .

. . .. . . . .

. . . . . . . .

.. . . . . . .

.. . . . . . . Total number of :fires on State forests and Crown lands

:s-umber of Outbreaks.

--

. . . . 22

. . . . 20

. . . . 13

. . . . 12

. . . . 11

. . . . 11

. . . . 8 .. . . 4

. . . . 3

104

. . . . 46

.. . . 150

Percentage of Known Causes.

21·1 19·2 12·5 11·5 10·6 10·6 7·8 3·8 2·9

100

. .

. .

One of the outstanding features of the season was the marked decrease in the number of fires due to grazing interests compared with recent years, the actual percentage being 10 · 6 per cent. of all known or suspected causes.

Of 176 fires attended by forest staff during the year, 26 or 14 · 8 per cent. occurred on and were restricted to private property.

Bush Fire Brigades. As a result of the passing of the Country Fire Authority Act, bush fire brigades

are now to be controlled by the Country Fire Authority, and in consequence the work previously preformed by the Commission for the brigades will, in future, be carried out by the Authority. The Commission is not directly represented on the Authority, but the Minister of Forests is authorized to submit the names of four persons to the Governor-in­Council and two of such persons will be selected as members of the Authority.

In order to be better organized for the prevention and suppression of fires in rural areas, the Commission in 1928 took steps to inaugurate an Association of bush fire brigades. So far as could be ascertained there were then 106 brigades in existence, and at a conference of their representatives held in the Melbourne Town Hall, it was decided to form the Victorian , Bush Fire Brigades Association. The Commission agr:eed to provide the secretariat of the Association and deputed one of its officers to act as Secretary.

Every effort was made to encourage the formation of new brigades, not only for the protection of the State forests but also for the preservation of all rural assets. In this direction, outstanding success was achieved and at the end of last fire season there were 768 bush fire brigades in operation.

10402/~·-2 ·~

18

The Commission was able to arrange with the Government to provide funds for the donation of equipment to the brigades. Originally the grants were made only to those which assisted in the suppression of fires in State forests, but, as there waR no body authorized to help the other brigades, and realizing their immense value to the State, the Commission sought and obtained further funds with which it provided apparatus to all registered brigades.

As the number of brigades increased so also did tbe secretarial duties, and the Commission from time to time provided additional clerical assistance for the Association's secretariat so that all members could be assured of prompt and efficient service. The supply of rationed commodities for the use of the brigades was maintained through the Commission's offices, power equipment was fitted and tested and a considerable number of orders for apparatus to be purchased by the brigades was placed.

The Commission is satisfied with its efforts in building up a virile organization of 768 brigades with approximately 35,000 members and over £100,000 worth of equipment, and it desires to record its great appreciation of the valuable services that have been given voluntarily, year after year, by the bush fire brigades in the preservation of the State forests.

It is, therefore, with regret that our official connexion with this excellent organization has been concluded.

Rural Fires Prevention Order.

An amendment was made to the Rural Fires Prevention Order to enable each bush fire brigade to be represented on the Local Committee. This was considered an improvement on the previous constitution, as it permitted closer attention to be given to the prevention needs in the smaller areas controlled by individual brigades.

The preparation of firebreaks in country districts by burning · along roads by brigades was not carried out to any extent this season as, although some roads carried a fair growth of grass which constituted a fire menace, it was felt desirable to retain the vegetation on them as feed for stock from drought stricken areas.

The rural Fires Prevention Orders have now been revoked and the powers and authorities prescribed in them are now exercisible through the Country Fire Authority Act.

(b) FoREST PEsTs.

Some damage has been reported from the Red Gum forests of the Murray River Valley by leaf-eating insects which have defoliated large areas of forest on both sides of the river. Definite evidence is not yet available as to the insect responsible but it is believed to be either Nola metallopa or Ocinara lewinae. Investigations are proceeding in collaboration with parallel investigations by the Forestry Commission of New South Wales.

Rabbits have become more prevalent in some areas and drought conditions over the past two years have led to an increase in damage to seedling and coppice regeneration by stock, particularly in Red Gum and Grey Box areas.

Blackberries are creating a serious problem in many areas as control measures have been curtailed owing to manpower difficulties.

(c) PROSECUTIONS.

Prosecutions relating to offences against the provisions of the various acts administered by the Commission were as follows

Number of prosecutions 37 , , convictions 29 , , dismissals 8

Amount of fines . . £80

" "

, costs .. , compensation

£15 ls. £72 14s. 8d.

19

UTILIZATION.

SAWN TIMBER STATISTICS.

Production of sawn timbflr within Victoria, including imports, was 198,500,400 super. feet compared with 184,336,100 super. feet for 1943--44, an increase of 14,164,300 super. feet. Increases in mmr~hantahle and case grades were partly offset by a decrease in scan~ling production, output of S!Jlect grades remaining at about the same level as in the prevwus year.

As one of the present bottlenecks in the hohsing and building construction programs is a shortage of seasoning quality lines which are produced from select grades, the Commission is using every endeavour to stimulate production in this class of timber. Geographically a marked increase in production is shown in only the Central Division and in the output of metropolitan mills, and is to some extent due to departmental logging activities by contract loggers. All other Divisions showed slight increases, with the exception of the Western Division in which there was a slight decline in production.

Production of softwood timber shows a decline from both Crown lands and private property. This was most pronounced in the Metropolitan and Western Divisions, the North Eastern and Northern Divisions showing slight increases.

* SAWN TIMBER PRODUCTION IN 1,000s OF SUPERFICIAL FEET.

Hard woods. Softwoods.

Year.

C.L. P.P. Total. C.L. P.P. 'l.'otal.

1942-43 .. .. 148,202 30,879 179,081 9,327 20,181 29,508

1943-44 . . .. 130,970 26,174 157,144 10,908 11,190 22,098

1944-45 . . .. 146,005 28,699 174,704 9,754 8,641 18,395

* Production from Victorian logs only and does not include sawn timber produced from impotted logs.

(Detailed Sawmilling Statistics are given on page 35.)

TIMBER PRODUCTION.

Departmental production of hardwood logs for the year was 32,600,000 super. feet, chiefly of small-size Mountain Ash (fire-killed and green) for case shook manufacture, but including approximately 8,000,000 super. feet of larger logs from mixed species for building and scantlings and also over 763,000 super. feet of peeling quality logs, mainly for the match industry, an increase of 22 per cent. on last year's hardwood peeler-log delivery.

As a result of the increased demand for building timber, increasing pressure is being exerted upon the Commission to supply new mills. Some of these are established sawmillers but there has been a great increase in the number of small mills established on private property, many of them being poorly equipped and staffed. Some of these are in operation before the Commission is aware of their existence, and they frequently first become known when application is made for log supplies. The inevitable result is that Commission logging operations have been unable, for the greater part of the year, to cope with these demands and those of many existing customers for increased rates of delivery.

It is natural that, with a steady resumption of housing construction, a considerable part of the added demand is for green logs suitable for the cutting of building framing timbers. Extra production of this type of log from such species as Eucalyptus obliqua, E. capitellata E. Sieberiana, E. viminalis, and others has accounted for most of the excess of 5,000,000 'super. feet of logs delivered from departmental logging operations as' compared with the previous financial year.

20

The fact that the Commission has no means of controlling the establishment of new mills, nor of planning their most suitable location, having in mind both markets and supplies of logs sufficient in quantity and quality to ensure a reasonable life, is a great disadvantage to the stability of the milling industry. The whole position, under present circumstances, is likely to get out of hand unless some degree of control ca.n be exercised, and the early consideration of legislation to provide for proper regulation bv the State is very necessary. Legislation for the licencing of sawmills is already in operation in other parts of the Commonwealth and works well from the points of view of the State and the timber industry. If the Commission is to develop its forests on sound forestry principles with sustained yield as an ultimate aim, it is essential that the growth of sawmilling capacity should be regulated in such a manner that the annual cut does not exceed normal increment to such an extent that the normal growing stock is reduced, and inroads made on the forest capital. At the same time the institution of a proper system of stumpage appraisal is necessary to ensure a fair return to the State and maintain the economic stability of the timber industry. Given reasonable facilities, and provided that the Commission's current works to furnish good accef:ls to forests of milling timber can be continued and accelerated, the present milling capacity, with normal imports from Tasmania, should be able to cope with probable savv'll hardwood requirements over the next few years.

Continuation of the scheme inaugurated last year for the production and supply of fencing timber resulted in the production by Departmental labour of an additional 40,000 pieces, practically all posts 5 ft. 6 ins. to 6 ft. long. From stocks of this material, an additional 91,556 pieces were sold. Urgent bush fire relief needs have now been met, and sales are being continued steadily as labour becomes available for refeneing in less urgent cases. Since October, 1944, sales have been made to other than bush fire sufferers, and from March, 1945, the special financial arrangements made to assist those who suffered losses have been suspended. No further cutting is being undertaken at present, and orders are being supplied from stocks on hand at various centres, mainly in the western and northern districts.

TIMBER SALVAGE.

In spite of great difficulty associated with maintenance of timber production at its high level, the sawmilling industry has had some assistance with 'manpower in the form of special releases from the services over the period under review. As a result, output of sawn timber showed no further decrease, but instead a small increase was obtained. This increase, gained in spite of the reduced total volume of fire-killed timber upon which mills and loggers must draw, was largely due to the effort put in by the milling and logging industry and the Commission's operations on utilization of fire-killed material, including pulpwood output, which also exceeded the total of previous years. Fifty additional country mills have cut a proportion of fire-killed logs during this year compared with 1943-44. The increase is accounted for by the establishment of a few new mills in country towns and by other mills calling upon the Commission for supplies of fire-killed timber.

The forecast made in the Report for last financial year, that the estimated total recovery of 916,000,000 super. feet of fire-killed logs was unlikely to be attained by July, 1945, fortunately was not realized. In fact, the target figure was attained by the middle of May, 1945, and at the end of June, total recovery stood at 939,266,000 super. feet Hoppus Log Volume.

The onset of more severe weather conditions since that date has slowed down the rate of output of fire-killed logs, but there is little doubt that the industry will continue to use appreciable quantities of salvaged timber for the next few years.

The total quantity to be recovered will depend mainly upon market conditions and the future development of road construction into the best productive forest areas of the cast-central highlands, where most of the fire-killed timber is found and where the State must look in future for its greatest local production of high grade timber suitable for saw­milling, pulping and general manufacturing uses. The most important species for these purposes are White Mountain Ash (E. regnans), Alpine Ash (E. gigantea), Shining Gum (E. nitens), Manna Gum (E. viminalis), Mountain Gum (E. Dalrympleana), Messmate (E. obliqua), Silvertop (E. Sieberiana), and similar species. These all produce timber suitable for high grade uses when grown at the higher elevations under reasonably good soil conditions and rainfall over 45 inches per annum. Access to enable their most satisfactory utilization has always been a serious difficulty in the past, and extension of roading is essential if this State is to increase the supplies of the better grades of timber for post-war housing from both fire-killed and green forests, ·

21

Road construction was continued during the year on projects serving both green and fire-killed areas, including the Snob's Creek, Big River, West Tanjil Block 10, Toolangi Block system, Lake Mountain, and Mt. Margaret roads. This work will be carried on to the extent that facilities permit, and subject to provision of the necessary funds which have up to date been readily made available by Parliament. It is to be expected that, with the gradual easing of difficulties and shorta<:;es due to war conditions, the rate of progress will be further stepped up. More earth-moving machinery has been secured during the year, and is being put into operation in various parts of the State.

Milling of fire-killed logs for the year totalled 152,549,000 super. feet, considerably above the previous year's total of 129,725,000 super. feet and also above that milled in 1942-43 (150,605,000 super. feet). The quantity now milled stands at 866,062,000 super. feet, of which approximately 42,000,000 super. feet consisted of logs salvage-felled or dumped since 1939. This total includes case-logs and others cut in metropolitan mills, and the equivalent of approximately 16,740,000 super. ·feet in.pulpwood. The general position now stands as follows:-

1939-40 1940-U 1941-42 1942-43 1943-44 1944-45

UTILIZATION OF TIMBER KILLED IN JANUARY, 1939.

Financial Year,

Total

Volume Milled (Including Logs

Salvage-felled).

Volume Salvage­felled Only.

------- -····--·········------

.. I

96,638,000 174,216,000 162,328,000 150,605,000 129,725,000 152,549,000

866,061,000

(All volumea In super. feet, Hoppus Measure.)

30,273,000 30,454,000 3,423,000

64,150,000

Volume Salvage­felled and Dumped.

5,211,000 30,934,000 9,444,000 5,462,000

51,051,000

Repayments continue of the advances made to sawmillers for the carrying out of salvage-felling and dumping. Complete repayment has now been made by ten millers, and seven have still to repay various amounts, which will be collected as the timber in question is milled.

PULPWOOD PRODUCTION.

The output of pulpwood from State forests continued nearly at the high rate of the previous financial year, and amounted to 2,247,005 cubic feet compared with 2,445,630 cubic feet for the previous year. The bulk of this was from fire-killed Mountain Ash.

Pinus radiata pulpwood output from State plantations fell off to 82,050 cubic feet (from 109,016 cubic feet in 1943-44) and considerable decline also occurred in hardwood pulp despatched from the more distant areas such as t:he Delatite and Otway West forest districts. Minor declines are noticeable in all other districts except in the case of Woods Point, where a very considerable increase took place. Pulpwood contractors in this, as in most other districts, pJ:oduce mill-logs for the cutting of case timber as well as pulpwood from their operations in fire-killed Ash stands.

The Maryvale plant of Australian Paper Manufacturers now has in operation a sawmill for cutting material from logs delivered straight from the forests. The logs are cull material, but as a proportion of good sawn timber is recoverable from them, the· mill will cut a quantity of sawn timber in addition to pulpwood. While cull logs from fire-killed timber remain available, there is considerable economy in handling and conversion costs as compared with hand-billeting of the material in the forests and subsequent handling of billets in transport.

22

Details of production are as follows:-

Pulpwood Produ.ction 1944-45.-Quantity of pulpwood cut on Crown Lands for the year 1944-45 totalled 2,247,005 cubic feet, comprising 2,164,935 cubic feet of hardwood and 82,050 cubic feet of Pintts radiata timber.

District and plantation outputs were as follo'.VS : -Dandenong Forest District Delatite Forest District Erica Forest District Neerim Forest District Niagaroon Forest District .. Otway West Forest District Toolangi Forei'lt District Upper Yarra Forest District vVoods Point Forest Distri.;t, Yarram Forest District Aire Valley Plantation Bright Plantation Creswick Plantation Ovens Plantation Scarsdale Plantation Stanley Plantation Y arrowee Plantation

Hardwood billets Hardwood logs Hardwood mill waste Softwood cellulose pulpwood

PRODUCTION OF EMERGENCY FIREWOOD.

Cuhk feet.

16,601 629

282,027 1,041,094

279,474 1,257

183,647 120,348 133,853 106,025

2,646 10,729

9,724 13,977 20,664 3,155

21,155

2,247,005

1,233,601 704,075 227,279 82,050

2,247,005

The improvement in the metropolitan. firewood position, which became apparent during the previous financial year, has progressively continued, and this winter there are sufficient stocks of good dry wood available for all reasonable requirements.

Several factors combine to contribute to this improvement. The continued dry warm weather until late in the autumn of 1945 enabled production and extraction of firewood to continue unchecked, while consumption in Melbourne remained on a fairly limited scale. No less important was the sustained co-operative effort of the Victorian Railways Department in systematically placing trucks at production centres which at once facilitated the regular flow of stocks through rail-head and provided adequate transport to Melbourne. Also farmers and others in the drought-stricken areas of the north and north­west of the State turned to the production of firewood and mallee roots as a measure of temporary financial relief, and added considerably to the stocks of good quality fuel reaching Melbourne. Finally the concerted firewood activities of the Commission, geared to large scale production, continued at full pressure during the summer of 1944-45, and stocks both in city depots and in the country were built to the record of 270,000 tons measure by 30th June, 1945. This compared with stocks of 207,000 tons measure at 30th June, 1944.

Commission production of emergency firewood, including purchases, amounted to 368,059 tons measure for the year compared with 400,823 tons measure for 1943-44. Purchases accounted for 60,089 tons measure compared with 49,473 tons measure for the 1943-44 period.

23

Commission production was again carried on with various classes of labour, including Commission employees, piece-workers, contractors and aliens. In addition, approximately 300 Italian prisoners of war were encamped in three specially built hostels in the forest at Broadford and Kinglake West and were trained in firewood production operations. While some useful progress was made with this class of labour, results generally were not up to expectations and it is proposed to curt~.il these activities as soon as possible. Alien labour, on the other hand, has shown a consistent improvement in production, the average man-week output being now approximately 24 tons, compared with 15 tons last year. Average man-week production of prisoner of war labour is approximately 6 tons, and shows no tendency to improve.

The Commission again desire to place on record, its appreciation of the co-operation and assistance given by the Victorian Railways Commissioners and the State Transport Board in over-coming the difficulties of transporting emergency firewood to the metropolitan area. With the improvement in the firewood stock position in Melbourne, the Commission has been enabled to reduce substantially the tonnage of emergency firewood hauled by road and rely increasingly on rail transport.

A record tonnage of firewood was stored this year in the Commission's seven firewood depots in the metropolitan area, totalling 51,000 tons measure as compared with 26,000 tons measure for the previous year. The total quantity of firewood sawn and distributed from these depots for the twelve month period amounted to 50,354 tons weight as compared with 51,348 tons weight for the year before.

At 30th June, 1945, the number of fuel merchants listed with the Commission for supplies at Melbourne and Geelong totalled 545. In addition, wood was made available direct to Government institutions such as State Schools and hospitals in Melbourne and elsewhere.

Once again, on account of the serious coal shortage at the beginning of winter in 1944, the Commission made available to the Victorian Railways a substantial tonnage of emergency firewood to be used in lieu of coal in locomotives engaged in shunting in railway marshalling yards throughout the State. In all approximately 35,000 tons measure of this class of firewood were supplied in 1944-45 compared with 26,000 tons measure in 1943-44.

Following continued negotiations with the Commonwealth Government regarding the amount of subsidy to be paid to the Commission to offset losses on emergency firewood production, an increase of approximately 20 per cent. on the existing subsidy rate was granted. While this increase is of assistance to the Commission, the total amount of subsidy payable is still less than half the amount of unavoidable losses, and further negotiations concerning this matter are still taking place with the Commonwealth Government.

SUMMARY STATEMENT OF FOREST PRODUCE FROM WHICH ROYALTY WAS RECEIVED DURING FINANCIAL YEAR 1944-45.

1. TIMBER AND FIREWOOD.

Sawn timber, hardwood Mill logs and case logs, hardwood Fencing material-

Posts, strainers and stays, Droppers Pickets Palings Rails ..

Beams' Railway sleepers Piles Poles and spars Mining tim her-

Various Various

Pine logs Pulpwood ..

45,346,347 super. feet 115,884,729 " "

915,691 number 77,521 " 20,159 " 50,931 " 16,159 "

211,957 super. feet 209,462 number 101,813 lineal feet 693,762 " "

39,758 lineal feet 82,525 super. feet

12,151,633 " " 25,335 cunits

Sundries-Laths .. Staves .. Slabs .. Stakes .. Chopping blocks House blocks

Firewood-

24

Green and dry split and improvement wood Tops and dry long wood Emergency fuel

Eucalyptus oil Sassafras oil Kino Wattle Bark Charcoal Sand, gravel and loam

2. ~hNOR PRODUCE.

BUILDINGS.

1,000 number 25,83f~ " ] 5,413 .,

46-1 438 668

" ,

" 622,92:3 tom

15,981 loads 15:2.771 tonR

175,420 lb.

6,863 lb. 112 tons

14,358 " 158,449 cubic yardfl

The shortage of material and manpower again restricted building activities so that only essential work was executed. The greater part of the work carried out was in connexion with the provision of portable and prefabricated huts at road construction camps for sleeping quarters, mess huts, stores and administrative buildings. T')'O prisoner of war camps, construction of which was commenced during last financial year, were completed during the year.

The Commission's building plans for the post-war period covering the construction of quarters for district and divisional officers, adminiRtratiYe buildings, workshops, store accommodation and hutting, and totalling £68,458 for the first two yf'..ars, have been approved by the National Works Council and plans are in course of preparation to enable an immediate start to be made as soon as finances are available.

ERICA TRAMWAY. A total of 2,778,886 super. feet of sawn timber and 748 tons of pulpwood was

transported over the tramway during the year, representing a freight revenue of £2,97 4 which, together with other revenue of £786, made a total revenue of £3,760, a slight increase over revenue for the previous year.

EDUCATION.

ScHooL oF FoRESTRY, CRESWICK.

Seven students who graduated from the school at the end of last year were appointed to the staff of the Commission. The number of trainees admitted to the school at the beginning of the year was twelve, including two nominated by Australian Paper Manufacturers Ltd., making a total of twenty-nine students now in residence.

The Commission proposes to admit discharged servicemen to the School for training as professional foresters.

UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE.

Mr. A. B. Coldicutt of the Commission's staff has completed the degree of Bachelor of Civil Engineering and shared the Argus Scholarship for Final Honors in Civil Engineering.

Messrs. G. W. Dyer, E. L. Ellwood and \V. M. McKenzie successfully completed the degree of Bachelor of Science in Forestry and Messrs. G. K. Pollard and D. W. M. Paine completed the first year of this degree.

Mr. F. R. Moulds of the Commission's technical staff has been awarded a Yale Fellowship in Forestry and will study for the degree of Master of Forestry in the U.S.A. at that University.

Lt.-Colonel J. H. Chinner received his discharge from the Army in order to take up his Rhodes Scholarship at Oxford University.

SCHOOLS FOR THE TRAINING OF DISCHARGED SERVICEMEN.

The Commission proposes to establish schools for the training of discharged service­men as Forest Foremen and Overseers and plans to this end are well advanced.

25

STAFK

Twenty-six members of the Commission's permanent staff are on full time duty for the duration of the war in the Australian Imperial Forces, Royal Australian Navy, Royal Australian Air Force and Home Defence Forces.

Lt.-Col. J. H. Chinner was discharged from the Army during th~ year and has resumed duty.

Mr. J. I. Stark of the R.A.A.F. was appointed to the staff of the Commission but continued in the service of the R.A.A.F.

Owing to staff shortages, seven members of the Commission's staff who have reached the retiring age are still retained in the service.

Messrs. J. W. Youl, Sales and Marketing Officer, Mr. R. H. Needham, Forester and Miss A. Crofts, Research Officer, resigned during the year.

Mr. R. V. Smith, Assistant Forester, was released on loan to the National Herbarium and Mr. C. J. Irvine, Research Officer, to the Save the Forests Campaign Council.

PUBLICATIONS.

In order to meet the increased demand for advice in regard to tree planting, as evinced by landholders, public bodies and others, and in order to replace a publication issued by the Commission some years ago dealing with tree planting in the country districts of Victoria, Leaflet No. 3-Selection, Propagation and Planting of Trees in the Country Districts of Victoria by K. V. M. Ferguson, M.A., B.Sc., was issued during June, 1945.

It is hoped that this publication will stimulate even greater interest in the subject of afforestation and assist in promoting that tree consciousness which it is so desirable to cultivate in the citizens of this State.

26

STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURE FROM LOANS CURRENT DURING THE FINAJ.~CIAI, YEAR 1944-45.

EXPENDITURE.

1942. ,Tune 30.

under Act No. 4835-Item 1, Forests ..

£ 8. d.

1943. • June 30.

l:nder Act No. 4835-Item I, Forests .. 45,440 I3 IO Item 2, Plantations 4,422 I6 4

1944. June 30.

Under Act No. 4835-ltem I, Forests .. 6I,281 I7 4 Item 2, Plantations I7,787 1 8

Under Act No. 498I­Item, 1 Forests ..

I945. June 30.

Under Act No. 4835-ltem 2, Plantations

Under Act No. 498I­Item I, Forests ..

Under Act No. 5049-Item l, Salvage .• 140,680 Item 2. Fire Pro-

8 3

8 7 tection .. 108,251 Item 3, General

Forest Opera­tions ..

Item 4, Timber Ex-traction Roads ..

Item 5, Plantations ltem 6, Fixed Assets Item 7, Plant and

.\iachinery

10,000 () 0

30,880 19 4 2,436 2 5

17,020 19 10

79,060 7 7

£ /!, d. ·£ 8. d.

43,277 8 10 43,277 8 IO

49,863 10 2 49,863 IO 2

79,068 I9 0 79,068 I9 0

102,499 9 9102,499 9 9

I9,404 1 2 I9,404 I 2

72,500 10 3 72,500 10 3

388,330 6 0 ------388,330 6 0

Balance carried down (Authorization)

ender Act No. 4835-ltem 2, Plantations

l'nder Act No. 498I·­Item 2, Plantations

ruder Act No. 5049-Item I, Salvage Op·

erations Item 2, Fire Pro­

tection Item 3, General

~~<'orest Operations Item 4, Timber Ex-

traetion Roads .. Hem i\, PlantationR Item 6. Fixed AHseb Iten1 7, Plant and

:Machinery

59,3I9 ll 9

11,748 11 5

69,119 0 8 37,563 I7 7 12,979 0 2

20,939 12 5

8,386 0 10

25,000 0 0

2ll,6U9 14 0 245,055 14 IO

£I,OOO,OOO 0 0

1941. July L

Amount authorized under Act No. 4835-

AUTHORIZATION.

£ 8. d. £ 8. d. £ 8. d.

I50,000 0 0 Item I, Forests .. Item 2, Plantations 50,000 0 0

-----200,000 0 0 1943.

July L Amount authorized

under Act No. 4981-

175,000 0 0 Item I, Forests .. Item 2, Plantations 25,000 0 0

----~-200,000 0 0 1944.

July I. Amount authorized

under Act No. 5049-

Item I, Salvage Op· erations

Item 2, Fire Pro­tection Works ..

Item 3, General Forest Opera-tions ..

Item 4, Timber Ex-traction Roads ..

Item 5, Plantations Item 6, Fixed Assets Item 7, Plant and

Machinery

200,000 0 0

120,000 0 0

10,000 0 0

100,000 0 0 40,000 0 0 30,000 0 0

100,000 0 0 -~~~-~~~~--- 600,000 0 0

£I,OOO,OOO 0 0

1945. July I.

By Balance brought down (Authorization)

Under Act No. 4835-Itern 2, Plantations

t.:"nder Act No. 498I­Item 2, Plantations Under Act No. 5049-It€m 1, Salvage Operations Item 2, Fire Pro­

tection Item 3, General

Forest Operations Item 4, Timber Ex·

59,319 ll 9

11,748 11 5

traction Roads 69,l19 0 8 Item 5, Plantations 37,563 17 7 Item 6, Fixed Assets I2,979 0 2 Item 7, Plant· and

8,386 0 10

25,000 0 0

Machinery 20,939 12 5 ------2ll,669 14 0

--~-245,0(55 14 10

27

STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURE FROM STATE FORESTS (TIMBER SALVAGE) LOAN AND APPLICATION ACT No. 4632 FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1944--45.

1940. June 30.

Under Act No. 4032-Section 4 (a) Section 4 (b) Section 4 (c)

1941. June :lo.

Under Act No. 4632-Section 4 (a) Section 4 (b) Section 4 (c)

1942. June 30.

Under Act No. 4632-Section 4 (a) Section 4 (b) Section 4 (c)

1943. June 30.

Under Act No. 4632-Section 4 (a) Section 4 (b) Section 4 (c)

1944. June 30.

Under Act No. 4032-Section 4 (a) .Cr. Section 4 (b) Section 4 (c) Cr.

EXPENDITURE.

£ 8. cl.

23,463 18 11 4,319 13 2

32,904 15 5

69,043 9 5 II,737 6 ll 88,672 1 4

86,752 3 5 3,000 0 0

79,062 13 9

32,922 4 11 3,321 18 2

22,933 16 3

104 14 4 353 1 9 517 17 4

£ 8. cl.

60,688 7 6

169,4.'52 17 8

168,814 17 2

59,177 19 4

----- Cr. 269 9 11 1945.

June 30. Under Act No. 4632-

Section 4 (a) Cr. Section 4 (b) Cr. Section 4 (c)

Balance carried down (Authoriza.tion)-Under Act No. 4632 . . . .

468 0 353 I 52 1

0 9 9

Cr. 769 0 0

17,904 8 3

475,000 0 0

AUTHORIZATION.

1939. July I.

Amount authorized under Act No. 4632

1945. July I.

By Balance brought down, A<-'t No. 4632

STATEMENT OF FORESTRY FUND AS AT 30TH JUNE, 1945.

1945. June 30.

To Expenditure­Forests Plantations Nurst"ries General

Balance

..

£ 8. d. £

13],.}68 7 0 16,195 19 7 4,804 I 7 2,554 11 4

154,723 14,317

169,040

8, cl. £ 1944.

July I. By Balance carried forward

Receipts during the year~

Amount set aside by the Treasurer of Victoria under Act No. 3685--

0 0 Section 37 (2) (a) 32,000 1 7 Section 37 (2) (b) ll0,365

7

1945. July I.

By Balance brought forward

£ 8. d.

475,000 0 0

475,000 0 0

17,904 8 3

8. d. £ s. cl.

0 0 6 4

26,674 15 3

142,365 6 4

169,040 1 7

14,317 1 7

28

STATEMENT OF kEVENUE AND APPROPRIATED EXPENDITURE FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 30Ta JUNE, 1945.

REVEB!JE.

Amount paid into Consolidated Revenue.

Rents, Grazing Licences, &c. Fees .. Royalties

Miscellaneous-Revenue-State Mill, Erica Revenue-Seasoned timber, Newport Forest Tramways Charcoal Sundries Departmental

£ 8. d. 13,349 16 7

361 9 0 284,631 12 9

25,192 I 11 52,622 10 4

8,751 I 4 33,669 2 6 2,749 3 5

395,709 15 7

817,036 13 5

EXPENDITURE.

Expenditure under Votes, &c.

Salaries of Field and Office Staff, &c ...

Travelling Expenses, Forage, Stores, &c ...

School of Forestry .•. Timber Seasoning Works Foresters' Quarters Expenses in connection with Bush

l<'ire Brigades Working Expenses of Forest Tram-

ways at Erica . . . . ·Vermin and Noxious Weeds Eucalyptus and Oil Distillation Repairs to Forest Roads .. Utilization of Forest Products Interest and Sinking Fund-

Charges re Loan Foresters' Quarters

Trustees of Agricultural Colleges .. State Sawmill, Erica . . . • Charcoal Production Supply of Firewood Pay-roll Tax , . Provision~ of Fire-lighting Equipment

for use in Rural Areas

Balanee

£ 8. d.

102,364 17 9

32,334 13 0

2,167 13 3 41,844 0 0 2,767 7 1

5,021 3 7

9,197 5 2 1,582 8 7

76 5 5 1,768 6 10

65,993 17 I

397 8 10 885 10 0

20,661 18 0 13,165 9 ll

437,185 3 3 6,684 11 10

37,745 0 6

EUCALYPTUS OIL Dl_STILLERY, WELLSFORD.

MANUFACTURING AND TRADING AccouNT FOR YEAR ENDED 30Ta JuNE, 1945.

1944. July 1.

To Stocks on Hand ., Working Expenses ., Head Office Supervision and

Audit Fee

, Net Profit

Capital . . . . Depreciation Reserve Account Sundry Creditors Profit and Loss Account­

Balance at let July, 1944 Profit for year

£ 8. d.

10,701 17 4 58 0 5

£ &. d.

1,468 4 7 1,468 4 7

34 19 0

10,759 17 9

13,731 5 11

Buildings and Plant !'>'tocks on Hand Treasurer of Victoria Account-

£ "· d.

l,ll8 2 8 0 5 4

£ 8. d.

Balance at lst July, 1944 11,166 Hl 5 Receipts paid to Consolidated

Revenue 1,145 1 4

12,311 16 9 Less Working E:x- £ 8. d.

penses provided by Vote 76 5 5

Head Office Super-vision and Audit Fee 10 0 0

86 5 li

£ 11. d.

134,699 10 9

647,143. 9 4 35,193 13 4

817,036 13 5

£ .,_ d.

1,118 8 0 37 10 0

1,155 18 0

£ 8. d.

1,468 4 7 37 lO 0

12,225 11 4

13,731 5 11

29

CHARCOAL PRODUCTION.

BALANCE-SHEET AS AT 30TH JUNE, 1945.

Capital Net additions

£ 11. d. 38,462 1 0

419 15 5

£ 8. d.

38,881 16 5 Sundry Creditors 42 8 10

Building and Improvements Additions during year

Treasurer of Victoria- Less depreciation Balance at 1st July, 1944 51,223 15 7 Working Expenses provided by Kilns and Retorts

Vote 13,019 5 6 Realization of Assets Interest Oil Capital 1,555 14 ll Head Offiee Supervision and Audit Fee 105 5 0 Less depreciation

LeM receipts paid to Consolidated Revenue

65,904 0

33,690 8 11 32,213 12 1

71,137 17 4

Plant and Equipment Realization of Assets

Le11s Depreciation

Vehicles Additions during year

Less depreciation

Experimental and Research Less amount written off

Preliminary Expenses Less amount written off

Sundry Debtors Stock on Hand­

Charcoal Wood Stores

Profit and Loss Summary­Balance at 1st July, 1944 Add loss for year

£ 8. d. £ 11. d. 110,781 18 1

242 0 5

11,023 18 6 5!t4 7 10

10,439 10 8 5,862 14 10

192 15 0

5,669 19 10 3,391 5 8

2,278 14 2 6,351 19 6

17 10 0

6,334 9 6 1,422 16 8

4,911 12 10 1,236 7 4 ~

388 0 0

1,624 7 4 532 13 4

1,091 14 0 175 13 6 175 13 6

133 5 2 133 5 2

----~------

18,721 11 8 3,381 4 6

2,943 3 5 1,472 12 4 1,725 3 6

6,140 19 3

26,586 5 8 16,307 16 3

42,894 1 11

71,136 17 4

1944. July 1.

To Stock on Hand­Charcoal Wood Stores

1945. June 30.

To Wages , Purchases , , Freight and Cartage , Royalties .. , , Depreciation

30

CHARCOAL. PRODUCTION-continued.

TRADING AccouNT FOR YEAR ENDED 30rH JUNE, 1945.

£ 1!, d.

23,214 18 5 3,11H 12 10 6,056 4 5

9,607 13 7 345 15 10 492 8 8 :m 15 6

5,931 3 6

£ 8. d.

32,422 15 8

16,648 17 1

49,07} 12 9

1945. June 30.

By Sales­Charcoal Wood Bags Cartage

Less Returns­Charcoal Bags

By Stock on Hand­Charcoal Wood Stores

£ 8. d.

49 9 4 2,355 18 0

By Profit and Loss Account

PROPIT AND Loss AccouNT FOR YEAR ENDED 30rH JuNE, 1945.

1945. June 30.

To Trading Account , Travelling and Incidentals , , Reparis and Maintenance , Rentals ., Pay-roll Tax , Insurance .. ., Allowances , Interest on Capital , Head Office Supervision and

Audit Fee , Experimental and Research ..

Preliminary Expenses ..

1944. July l.

To Balance

1945. June 30.

To Profit and Loss Account

£ &. d.

201 19 11 1,303 7 10

190 6 f 212 0 6 347 17 3

0 2 0 1,555 14 11

105 5 0 17.'l 13 6 133 5 2

£ 8. d. 1945.

June 30. 12,445 11 0 By Renta.ls

,. Profit and Loss Summary

4,225 12 2

16,671 3 2

PRoFIT AND Loss SuMMARY As AT 30TH JuNE, 194:5.

£ 8. d.

26,586 5 8

16,307 16 3

42,894 Ill

1945. June 30.

By Balance ..

£ 8. d.

29,499 3 3 278 3 6

2;847 10 f)

265 12 8

32,890 9 10

2,405 7 4

2,943 3 5 1,472 12 4 1,725 3 6

£ 8. d.

30,485 2 6

6,140 19 3 12,445 11 0

49,071 12 9

£ "· d.

363 6 11 16,307 16 3

16,671 3 2

£ 8. d.

42,894 ll

42,894 1 11

31

EMERGENCY FIREWOOD PRODUCTION.

BALANCE-SHEET AS AT 30TH JUNE, 1945.

£ 8. d.

Capital 58,893 9 5 Nett additiona since 1st July, 1944 23,239 2 2

Treasurer of Victoria Account­Balance at lst July, 1944 Working Expenses since 1st July,

1944 Intercot on Capital

Le.sa Receipts paid to Conaolidated

360,823 0

429,631 1 6 2,925 12 0

793,379 14 6

Revenue 341,313 19 2

£ 8. d.

82,132 11 7

4.52,061) 15 4 Alien Labour Account 16 10 7 Sundry Credit.ors-

Ordina.ry 1,927 5 1 Plant Hire 246 10 8

536,388 13 3

Buildings and Improvements Additions since 1st July, 1944

Less depreciation

Vehicles and Transport Additions since 1st July, 1944

Les,~ depreciation

Plant and Equipment Nett additions since 1st July, 1944

Lea.~ depreciation

Sundry Debtors-­Wood Plant

Stocks on Hand­Wood Stores

Commonwealth Subsidy Account Profit and Loss Account-­

Balance at 30th June, 1944 Additions to 30th .June, 19<15

£ 8. d.

19,462 7 0 19,721 18 3

39,184 5 3 5,343 14 5

8,129 9 9 1,171 19 3

9,301 9 0 1,426 9 2

17,817 19 9 2,345 4 8

20,163 4 5 5,979 lO 3

17,190 19 4 273 6 2

166,039 17 3 3,994 9 0

2H,l0i 1 10 70,433 12 0

TRADING AND PROFIT AND Loss AccouNT FOR YEAR ENDED 30TH JuNE, 1945.

1944. July 1.

To Stocks on Hand-Wood (203,189 tons) (including

Subsidy £61,916 18s. 5d.) Stores and Materials .•

£ 8. d. £ 8. d. ' £ 8. d. 194.5.

June 30. By Sales, &c.-

Wood (Milled wood, 152,282 111,824 9 2 tons) (Longwood, 30,030

9,952 16 3 tons) . . 213,188 11 2 Sawing Charges (7,931 tons) 2,181 3 4

£ s. d.

33,8!0 10 lO

7,874 19 10

14,183 14 2

55,899 4 10

17,464 5 6

170,0:34 6 3 8,453 210

28!,537 13 10

536,388 13 3

£ 8. d.

121,777 5 5 -···----- 2Hi,369 14 6 194.'i.

June 30. To Wages , Wood Purchases , , Stores, Tools and Materials .. , , Freight and Cartage , Plant Hire , Rentals

Repairs and Maintenance , Superintendence , Running Expenses of Cars , J nsurance , Pay-roll Tax , Interest on Capital , Depreciation , , Royalties .. , , Administration Charge.~

315,261 18 6 41,294 6 8

4,184 14 8 19,515 12 8

950 1 8 1,668 9 9 7,q31 0 0

13,703 15 3 3,022 7 9 3,524 11 lO 3,524 11 10 2,925 12 0

12,749 13 10 7,347 14 0 2,1i00 0 0

439,70! 10 5

561,481 15 10

, Plant Rentals 1,1S4 4 9 ,. Subsidy Account­

Retailers' Subsidy Producers' Subaidy

., Stocks on Hand-Wood (271,459 tons) Stores, &c.

27.143 18 77,346 0

166.039 17 3;994 9

3 1

10!,489 18 4

3 0

------ 170,034 6 3 , Loss· on operationa since 1st July, 1944 70,43:l 1:! 0

561,481 15 10

Capital Nett additions

Reserve Account Sundry Creditors

Treasurer of Victoria-Balance at 1st July, 1944 Working Expenses provided by

Vote Interest on Capital Head Office Supervision and Audit

Fee

Le&& Receipts paid to Consolidated

32

TiMBER SEASONING WORKS, NEWPORT.

BALANCE-SHEET AS AT 30TH JUNE, 194:5.

£ 8. d.

35,989 17 7 474 0 2

10,189 16 10

42,076 8 0 1,456 4 10

55 5 0

53,777 14 8

£ 8. d.

36,463 17 9 8,347 5 10

629 11 3

Buildings Less depreciation,

Machinery Nett additions during year

Less depreciation

Siding .. Le&& depreciation

Permanent Improvements Additions during year

Revenue 52,459 17 8 Less depreciation

Profit and Loss Summary­Balance at 1st July, 1944 Add Profit for Year

1944. July 1.

To Stook on Hand­Timber Stores

1945. June 30.

To Wages Purchases

, Freight In. ,. Stores, Tools, &c. . . , Oil Fuel and Power

, Trading Account ..

3;066 8 9 2,974 11 0

1,317 17 0

6,040 19 9

52,799 11 7

Sundry Debtors Le&& Provision for Doubtful Debts

Stock on Hand-Timber Stores

Ttu.DING AccouNT FOB YEAB ENDED 30Tu JUNE, 1945.

£ ~. ll. £ 8, ll.

17,615 19 5 1,560 18 3

11,443 18 2 21,122 9 7 3,351 18 10 1,589 17 11

506 1 2

19,176 17 8

38,014 5 8 10,147 10 6

67,338 13 10

1945. June 30.

By Sales­Timber Sundries Cartage

Le&& Returns ..

By Service Charges

, Stook on Hand­Timber Stores

£ 8. d.

15,614 16 390 7 5

9,970 10 7 356 7 6

-----10,326 18 1

784 0 10

212 10 3 ~j 6 3

3,857 18 1 ll7 12 8

3,975 10 9 98 8 6

5,930 8 8 170 0 0

16,449 3 3 1,738 7 6

£ 11. d.

47,349 16 5 11 7 9

909 10 1

48,270 14 3 540 4 10

16,449 3 3 1,738 7 6

PROFIT AND Loss AccouNT FoB YEAB E~mED 30TH JuNE, 19U'i.

1945. June 30.

To Superintendence­Wages .. Salaries

, Maintenance and Repairs , Travelling and Incidentals , Rentals , Cartage Account

Discounts, &c. , Insurance .. , Pay-roll Tax , Depreciation ..

Interest on Capital , , Hea.d Office Supervision and

Audit Fee

, Profit and Los11 Summary ..

£ 8. d.

574 14 5 684 2 2 675 5 1

1,124 5 2 208 0 0 235 17 6

31 15 11 577 0 5 272 6 0

1,278 3 0 1,456 4 10

55 5 0

£ 8. d.

7,172 19 6 2,974 11 0

10,147 10 6

June 30. By Trading Account

£ 8. d.

11i,224 8 8

9,542 17 3

207 4 0

3,877 2 3

28,8.51 12 2

5,760 8 8

18,187 10 9

52,799 11 7

£ 8. d.

47,730 9 5 1,420 13 8

49,151 3 1

18,187 10 9

67,338 13 10

£ 8. d.

10,147 10 6

10,147 10 6

I940. June 30.

To Ba.lance,

Capital .. Additions during ye&r

Sundry Creditors-

~ire Profit and Lo1111 Snmmary­

:&lance a.t l!lt July, I944 Additions fbr year

I944. July I.

To Stooks on Hand­Timber .. Stores ..

I945. June 30.

To Wages , Haulage ., Royalties, &c. . . . .

Stores, Tools, and Ma.terials .. ,. Shop Char~es ,. Depreciation

Profit and Lollll Account

3ii

TIMBER 8111AsoNING Woli.KI!I, N:E!fPO~':r-contim~ed.

hoPI'l' AND toSS SUMMARY AS A'l' 301'B: Jtr:NE, 1945.

£ "· d. I944.

July I. 6,040 I9 9 By Balance

I945. June 30.

By Profit and Loss Account

6,040 I9 9

STATE BA WMILL, ERICA.

BALANCE-SHEJI:'l' AS AT 30TH JUNE, 1945.

£ "· d. £ "· d.

I4,532 IS 3 132 I5 I

I4,665 I3 4

60 5 4 I4 I3 9

8,7I3 5 4 2,566 I6 5

ll,280 l 9

26,020 14 2

Buildings .. Le88 depreciation

Additions during year

Plant and Ma.chinery Le88 depreciation

Additions during year

Tramways a.nd Rolling Stock Less depreciation ..

Sundrj Debtors-­Timber Rentals

Stock on Hand­Timber Stores

Treasurer of Victoria Account-­Balance at 1st July, I944 Receipts paid to Consolidated

Revenue

Leas Working "Ex- £ 11, d. penses provided by Vote . . 20,759 ll IO

Intel'l'st on Capital 586 3 li Hf',ad Office Super-

vi~ion ancl Audit Fee.. 5550

i'BA:DING AccouNT FOR YEAR ENDBD 30TH JUNE, 1945.

£ s. d.

2,31)7 I2 0 66!) 16 5

6,I57 15 8 52 IO 0

10,111 I9 2 1,437 13 6

4I 3 7 9:?3 5 4

£ 8. d.

3,027 8 5

18,724 7 3 4,160 ]6 2

25,002 11 10

I945. June 30.

By Sales ,, Sundries , Stock.'! on Hand­

Timber .. Stores ..

£ 8, d.

3,066 s 9

2,974 Il 0

£ 8. d.

4,557 0 9 23I 4 9

4,325 I6 0 67 I5 I

4,6I3 2 9 466 I4 7

4,I46 8 2 65 0 0

2,253 0 3 225 6 0

377 I9 5 IO IO 0

552 0 6 826 10 I

9.991 6 9

25,030 14 8

35,022 1 5

21,40I 0 9

£ 8. d.

552 0 6 826 10 I

&,MO 18 9

6,040 I9 9

£ •. d·

4,393 11 1

4,!:fl 8 2

2,&27 14 3

388 9 5

I,378 10 7

18,62I ~ 8

26,020' u 2

£ 8. d.

24,504 0 8 20 0 7

1,378 10 7

25,002 Il 10

34

STATE SAWMILL, ERICA--continued.

PROFIT AND Loss .AccouNT FOR.YEAR ENDli;D 30TH JUNE, 1945.

l94.J:i. June 30.

To Superintendence , Maintenance and Repairs ,, Insurance , Pay Roll Ta:x: , Interest on Capital ,. .H;~d Office Super,vision and

Audit Fee

, Profit and Loss Summary ••

£ 8. d.

672 0 8 75 13 3

363 8 0 130 8 ll 5811 3 ll

55 5 0

£ 8. d.

1,882 19 9 2,566 16 5

4,449 16 2

1945. June 30.

By Trading Aooount , Cottage Rentals

PRoFrr AND Loss· Su:MMARY As A.'r' 30Tii JuNE, 1945.

£ 8. d. l94.J:i. 1944.

June 30. To Balance

July 1. ll,280 1 9 By Balance

1945 •. June 30.

By Profit and Loss Account

11,280 l 9

ERICA TRAMWAY.

REvENUE AccouNT FOR YEAR ENDED 30TH JuNB, 1945.

1945. June 30.

T-o Working E:x:penaes­Transportation .. Way llol).d Works Rolling Stock

Net Revenue Account

£ 8. d. £ 8. d.

681 16 0 780 7 10

1,888 9 9 3,350 13 7

409 13 4

3,760 6 11

1945. June 30.

By Freight ,. Transfer Charges , Other Revenue

NETT REvENUE AccouNT ll'OR YEAR ENDED 30TH Jun, 1945.

1945. June 30.

To Interest on Capital . • . . ., Head Office Supervision and Audit

Depreciation .•

£ 8. d. £ 8. d.

2,318 5 6 33 3 0

218 2 I 2,569 10 7

2,569 10 7

1945. June 30.

By Revenue Account , Profit and Loss Summary

PRoll'rr AND Loss SUMMARY AS AT 30TH JUNE, 1945.

1944. July, I.

To Bala.nce 1945.

June 3'0. To Net Revenue Account

£ 8. d. 1945.

.Tune 30. 5,790 15 7 By Balance

2,159 17 3

. 7,950 12 10

BALANCE-SHEET AS AT 30TH JuNE, 1945. £ 8. d. £ 8. d.

Capital .. .. .. Treasurer of Victoria Account­

Working E:x:penses provided by Interest on Capital .• Head Office Supervision and Audit ..

Vote 3,350 13 7 2,318 5 6

33 3 0

Less-Balance at lst July, 1944 Receipts paid to Consoli­

dated Revenue

5,702 2 I £ 8. d. 68 5 0

3,327 10 11 ~~--- 3,395 15 11

57,956 18 6

2,306 6 2

60,263 4 8

Steel Tramway-Western Tyers ..

Rolling Stock Less Depreciation

Sundry Debtors

and Eastern

Profit and Loss Account­Balance at 1st July, 1944 .• LosR for Year 1944--45

£ 8. d.

4,150 16 2 299 0 0

4,449 16 2

£ 8. d.

8,71.3 5 4

2,566 16 5

11,280 .1 ' 9

£ 8. d. £ 8. d.

2,973 16 I 509 17 9 276 13 1

3,760 6 11

3,760 6 11

£ 8. d.

409 13 4 %,159 17 3

2,569 10 7

£ 8. d.

7,950 12 10

7,950 12 10

£ 8. d. £ 8. d.

50,610 8 6 1,250 6 3

218 2 1

5,790 15 1 2,159 17 3

1,032 4 2 669 19 2

7,950 12 10

60,263 4 8

35

TOTAL VICTORIAN PRODUCTION OF SAWN TIMBER IN 1,000 SUPER. FEET FOR YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE, 1945.

Arranged in Groups of Species according to Vegetational Zones and Quality of Timber (including imported).

I

Group Number Speoles. Seleet. Merebantable. Scantllng. Caee. Sleepers. MlecellAneous. Totals.

I .. Mounta.in Ash .. . . } 11,722 Alpine Ash .. .. 13,010•8 3,117·9 59,393·6 ·5 4,244•9 91,489•7

Shining Gum .. .. 2 .. Messmate . . .. 1,594•5 2,848·5 42,600·6 5,776·3 .. 1,102 53,921•9

3 .. Manna Gum . .

} Silverto~ Ash .. . . Brown tringy Bark .. 583 3,789·2 10,8ll•7 3,100 .. 928•5 19,212•4 Red Stringy Bark .. Peppermint . . ..

4 .. Mountain Grey Gum ..

} Southern Blue Gum .. Yellow Stringy Bark .. 289•5 552·3 2,797 74 .. 404•2 4,117 White Stringy Bark .. Yellow Gum .. ..

5 .. Red Gum .. .. .. .. 7,007•7 .. 565 16 7,588•7

6 .. Pines .. .. .. .. .. 20,939·3 . . ·4 20,939•7

7 .. Miscellaneous .. . . .. 388•5 561•5 199 . . i 82 1,231

Grand Totals .. 14,189 20,589•3 66,896•4 89,482•2 565•5 6,778 198,500•4

TOTAL OUTPUT OF SAWN TIMBER IN 1,000 PRIVATE PROPERTY IN VICTORIA FOR

SUPER. FEET 'fHE YEAR

FROM CROWN LANDS AND ENDED 30TH JUNE, 1945.

North-Eastern

Northern

Gippsland

Southern

Central

w

M

estern

etropo1itan

Division.

. . . .

.. ..

. . ..

.. ..

.. ..

.. ..

. . . .

Totals for Victoria

..

..

..

..

. .

..

.. I

..

Hard woods.

Private Crown Lands. Property.

9,935 1,662·2

757 111•5

3,580 757·5

29,829•5 4,813

37,642•5 7,762

18,790•1 7,541•9

45,470·5 6,051

146,004·6 28,699·1

G. K. COCKBURN, Secretary. Melbourne, December, 1945.

Softwoods. I

Totals for Totals for Private Total

Private Crown Lands. Property. Produetlon. Crown Lands. Property.

1,893 146 ll,828 1,808•2 13,636·2

1,076 106 1,833 217•5 2,050•5

.. . . 3,580 757•5 4,337 ·5

.. 269 29,829•5 5,082 34,911•5

.. 616 37,642•5 8,378 46,020·5

3,672•5 4,961·9 22,462•6 12,503·8 34,966•4

3,113·4 2,542·5 48,583·9 8,593·5 57,177·4

9,754·9 8,641·4 155,759·5 i 37,340·5 193,100 I

Forests Commission of Victoria.

A. V. GALBRAITH, Chairman.

W. W. GAY, Commissioner.

T. W. NEWTON, Commissioner.

By Authority: J. J. Gou&LEY, Government Printer, Melbourne.

I

VI 0 c -; :r:

39

WALP UP

Southern Ocean

143

Bass Strait

W ilson's Promontory

I 144 145" 146 147

1945

FIELD STATIONS AND

RADIO COMMUNICATIONS

REFERENCE

DIVISIONAL HEADQUARTERS

DISTRICT HEADQUARTERS

SUB-DISTRICT AND FOREMEN 'S QUARTERS ..

AREA SERVED BY 3090 Kc/ S

I

14a

3070 Kc/ S

Crown L.1nd\ •hown thu'

sho"fn thus

1ihown rhu,.:

St.: ALC Ot MILlS lt 4(1

I

149"

•• • •• • 0

Ill

150'

- 39

141 142 143" 144 145 146° 147

-1- I --j

Ml OU

I 3;, i

---------------+-

l

~ \ 4--- --.---""1

Ocean Bass Strait

-----~S~o~u~th~e~r~n~-----t~~~--------t--------------t--~----------~----~--------~--~~-------t---39.

141 142° 143" 14 4° 145° 146"

148 ·1~ 150

MAP 2, l I ---------------3~

FORESTS COMMISSION OF VICTORIA

1945

FIRE DETECTION

TOWERS AND LOOKOUTS

REFERENCE

EXISTING FIRE TOWERS

PROPOSED FIRE TOWERS

EXISTING LOOKOUTS

PROPOSED LOOKOUTS

£

.6.

• 0

I .

-r--------------~------------~---38

Munlc.lpal Otltrlct 8oundu1c.s 1hown tl"us

I 148°

St:ALC OF' M I L[S tf; 0 11, 31 ... iii<t

- ______. ~--::::t

I

149"

- 39

150°