SCENERY PRESERVATION

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 475, 3 October 1928, Page 13

SCENERY PRESERVATION

NEW ZEALAND’S HERITAGE OF BEAUTY RESERVES ADDED TO (THE SUN'S ParHataentary Reporter) WELLINGTON. Tuesday. Motor-cars and the march of settlement make the safeguarding of the Dominion’s scenic beauties more imperative every year. Last year 11.7*6 This is revealed in the report of th« Scenery Preservations Board. presented to Parliament to-day. The report of the board sa> the reservation of further areas of Crown lands and the acquisition of privately-owned lands of scenic and historic interest are being carried out as opportunity | permitsTho expenditure on scenery preservation for the year ended March 31, 1928, was £6,599, while from 1904 to that date the total expenditure was £196,205. The expenditure fluctuates considerably from year to year, anti activity In the direction of acquiring new areas is governed to a large extent by the funds made available to tho department for the work. By tho Scenery Preservation Amendment Act, 1926, local authorities | were empowered to contribute toward the cost of the acquisition by tho Crown of land for scenic purposes and toward the cost of improvement or maintenance of any scenic reserve. It is hoped that, by enlisting the sympathies of city, borough and county councils in this matter it will be possible to aid materially the cause of scenery preservation. The public is taking a much keener interest in scenic reserves than formerly, the largely-increased use of private motorcars making it possible for many people to visit areas well away from tho main centres of population. Visitors generally appear to appreciate the fact that the welfare of the reserves rest largely in their hands, and that it is incumbent on them to assist in the preservation of the busli. It has been found necessary in some cases to issue permits to camp oncertain reserves under reasonable conditions, but it is not proposed to allow camping except on reserves adapted for tho purpose, and then only under proper safeguarding conditions.

Replying to the discussion on the report, the Hon. A. D. McLeod said that it was the board’s duty to recommend localities suitable for preservation as scenic reserves, and also what reservations should be withdrawn, and he was called upon to lay all sucli recommendations before the House. He agreed with the suggestion that there should be a stocktaking of such reserves as, in his opinion, many of these areas were not suitable for scenic purposes. The motion was agreed to.