SCENIC RESERVES BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 April 1917, Page 8

SCENIC RESERVES BOARD.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the New Plymouth Board was held yesterday, there being present: Mr. G. H. Bullard (Commissioner of Crown Lands) in the chair and Messrs S. Percy Smith, F.R.G.S., and W. A. Collis. The secretary submitted the following report for the year ended March 31 last, which was confirmed together with the statement of receipts and expenditure for tlip same period:— During the year ended the board has held tlireo ordinary meetings and one special meeting. At the board's instigation, his Excellency the Governor, tinder the powers of the Scenery Preservation Act, has during the year vested in the board the control of further scenic reserves as follows: Pukerangiora Pa: Containing 30 acres, being part of section 179 Huirangi District, block IX Waitara S.D. Pukemiro Scenic Reserve: Containing 7acres 2r. 18p., being part of section 7, block 111 Waitara S.D. Onaero River Scenic Reserve: Containing two acres of 10 acres 30p. and 3acres 2Gp., being respectirely part of section 102 and part of section 101, block VII, Waitara S.D. The Minister in charge has also recently approved of placing under the board's control the "Meeting of tho Waters" Scenic Reserve, comprising 01 acres 2r. 30p., situated five miles from the borough of New Plymouth® at tlii junction of tho Mangorei and Waiwa- 1 ' kaiho rivers. When this latter proclamation has been issuJd the board will have under its control six scenic reserves, aggregating 178 acres. Action as follows, with respect to the reserves named, has been completed during the year:— Puketi Pai.—Leased for 5 years to the New Plymouth Borough Council, at a peppercorn rental, with improvement conditions, under section »fl of the Scenery Preservation Act, 1808. Pukemiro and Onaero River Reserves. —lnspected and reported on by the chairman and Mr. Percy Smith, in accordance with a resolution of tho board. The gorae on the latter reserve has been cleared at a cost of £6 l()s. Pukerangiora Pa.—lnspected by the board. Gorse on road line (20* chains) cleared at a cost of £29. . The reserve has been leased for 5 years to Mr. E. Richards, with improvement conditions, subject to section 9 of the Act. There is a proposal to fence oil (when funds are available) and .plant with karakft trees a small plateau on this reserve, to make it attradave tj| picnic parties and visitor™ Ratapihipihi Reserve.---Inspected by members of the board. A 4 years' lease, wtili improvement conditions, over five acres of the open jjrfrt of the reserve has been, granted. A track to give visitors,access to the water has been graded by Mr, Percy Smith, and formation will follow when necessary funds are available for the purpose. Arrangements are already in hand by Messrs. Collis and Davies members of the boarl, to plant open patches <Jf this reserve with young wattle trees next spring. The whole of the eastern boundary of the reserve has been fenced in concrete and wood posts with 0 wires, and part of the southern "boundary in wood posts, at a total cost to the board of £22 2s (id, the other half cost having been defrayed by adjoining owners undT

arrangement. Funds.—The Minister in charge authorised £25 for maintenance and improvement of the reserves during tho year, after providing for the half cost of fencing two boundaries of the Ratapihipihi Reserve referred to above. The following routine matters were then dealt with by the board:— Fencing and planting with karaka trees on area of 1J acres at Pukerangiora Pa, for-nicnic parties, at a -cost of £5, was deferred meantime until funds were available. Ratapihipihi Reserve.—The chairman reported completion of the fencing of 1 two boundaries in conjunction with adjoining owners, in a satisfactory manner. It was resolved to expend £5 on tho planting of vacant spaces with wattle trdes next spring to crush out blackberry. Meeting of the Waters Reserve.—The chairman intimated that the Minister in charge had agreed to the recommendation of the board to vest in them control of this reserve, and the usual warrant would be issued in due course. It was resolved to place notices in the reserve with regard to stray cattle, etc. The chairman was authorised to make application for necessary funds for work proposed during the coming year. On. the motion of Mr. Collis, seconded by Mr. Smith, it was resolved to represent ,to tho department the advisibility of having embodied in all leases granted under the Scenery Preservation Act a clause empowering the board in i.ases of default of having noxious weeds cleared at the expense of the lessee.

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