549
The reason
The discrepancy of M: Ford attributes to ignorance or accident.
14. I do not trespass on Your Lordship's time by discussing the remainder of paragraph 12 as it contains controversial matter, but I should like to point out that the alleged want of interest in tree planting imputed by the Fords to Sir Arthur Kennedy is as unjust as 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 tree-planting expenditure contained in Your Lordship's Despatch sanctioning the Colonial Estimates of (I believe) 1873.
15. With reference to the rates of mortality among the seedlings planted, last year (1893) I feel sure Mr Ford would reconsider his figures upon inspection of the ground. The mortality ascribed to ignorance, inexperience, carelessness, ill usage etc. was largely due to the deplorable drought which supervened at a season when rain was essential to the successful realization of the work. The men who did the planting were the same persons who had been employed by Mr Ford in the same kind of work in previous years. They worked under the constant daily supervision of the Acting Superintendent, Mr Cerncan, who was not only a professional gardener of repute, but was also familiar with the work.