SCENIC RESERVES

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21189, 12 August 1940, Page 6

SCENIC RESERVES

PIRONGIA MOUNTAIN ' FURTHER LAND ACQUIRED EXCHANGE WITH ENDOWMENT Advice that steps are being taken to extend the scenic reserves on the slopes of Pirongia Mountain has been received by the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. W. Lee Martin, in a letter from the Minister of Lands, the Hon. F. Langstone. The letter stated that, with the approval of the Education Department, a clause was being included in the Reserves and Other Lands Disposal Bill declaring certain education endowment lands to be scenic reserves under and subject to the provisions of the Scenery Preservation Act, 1908. This action was being taken with a view to providing for the better protection of the bush growing on the areas concerned. Included in the schedule were allotments in the Pirongia Parish, comprising bush-clad land on the slopes of Pirongia Mountain and containing about 50 acres. These sections were until recently freeholds held by Mr C. T. Tuck, but an exchange was arranged whereby he received title to an education endowment and gave the Crown a title to the allotments mentioned. “My department,” said the Minister of Lands, “has for some years been extending the scenic reserves on the slopes of the mountain by the reservation of available areas of Crown land and by the purchase of private property, until today the reserves amount to over 2500 acres. The allotments acquired from Mr Tuck adjoin the existing reserves, and will improve the boundaries of the Crown reservations to a very considerable extent.”