542
the end of June and subsequent to that the returns are based on Mr Bowdler the late Superintendent. The two together made the figures obtained by me. The figures of August 1869 are correct. The figures here are my Report therefore quite correct.
In Returns of this kind cumulative totals are made of plants put out from year to year. Hence the reason of the discrepancy which Mr Ford attributes to it is uncalled for.
Governor Kennedy took the keenest personal interest in the work though he may have been unable to devote larger sums to it in consequence of the then state of the finances of the Colony and of the instructions regarding planting expenditures contained in Your Lordship's Despatch sanctioning the Colonial Estimates of (I believe) 1873.
I do not trespass on Your Lordship's time by discussing the remainder of paragraph 15 as it contains Controversial matter, but I should like to point out that the alleged lukewarmness in tree planting imputed by Mr Ford to Sir Arthur Kennedy is unjust as it refers to the rates of mortality among the seedlings planted. I am sure Mr Ford would reconsider his figures upon a reinspection of the ground. The mortality ascribed to ignorance, inexperience, carelessness, ill usage or accident was due to the deplorable drought which supervened at a season...