SCENERY PRESERVATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 1035, 30 October 1903, Page 4

SCENERY PRESERVATION.

A GOVEBNMENT PBOPOSAL. A Bill to provide for the acquisition of lands of scenic or historic interest was introduced by Governor’s message to-night, says the Auckland;Herald sporting correspondent. It provides that the Governor may appoint a commission to personally inspect in all parts of New Zealand lands possessing scenic or historic intorest, or on which there are thermal springs, and from time to time to recommend what lands, whether Crown, private, or native lands, in their opinion should be permanently reserved as scenic, thermal, or historic reserves. When the commission makes a recommendation the Governor may declare the lands a reserve, and inalienable except by special Act of Parliament, and the land may be taken under the Public Works Act. If it should happen to be native land, the Bill provides for the purchase price being paid to the Public Trustee, who shall invest it for the owners. The next clause appropriates UIOO,OOO from the Consolidated Fund for the purchase of reserves, to be spent at a rate not exceeding 4125,000 a year, and the Colonial Treasurer is to be empowered to issue inscribed stock debentures, or other Government securities, in order to raise the necessary money. The control of the reserves may be handed over by the Governor to any local authority. The last clause provides a penalty for destroying reserves by felling the bush, starting fires, etc.