DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY. PUBLIC DOMAINS OF NEW ZEALAND (ANNUAL REPORT ON).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1917 Session I, C-10

C—lo.

1917. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY. PUBLIC DOMAINS OF NEW ZEALAND (ANNUAL REPORT ON).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

Sib, — Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, Ist June, 1917. I have the honour to report on the public domains of the Dominion for the year ended 31st December, 1916. At the commencement of the year under review there were 567 domains subject to the provisions of Part II of the Public Reserves and Domains Act, 1908. Ten new ones, comprising an area of 521 acres 3 roods 1 perch, were made during the year. The Taumata and Poti Domains were amalgamated under the name of the Eltham Domain, and placed under the control of the Eltham Borough Council. The reservation over 3 acres 3 roods 34 perches of the Pukekohe Domain was cancelled, and the area vested in the Pukekohe Borough Council for water-supply purposes. The number of domains under the control of the Department at the end of the year was therefore 576, containing a total area of 86,543 acres, including the Wanganui River Trust Domain of 33,104 acres. Fifty-one domains are controlled by Commissioners of Crown Lands, and 525 by local Domain Boards appointed from time to time. Owing to the absence of a large number of men at the war the domains are not at present used for sports and pastimes to the same extent as formerly, and, speaking generally, Domain Boards have not undertaken many additional improvements, attention being given chiefly to maintenance-work. Steps are being taken to revoke the appointment of a number of Domain Boards. This course has been considered advisable owing to the lack of interest taken by these Boards in their trust, and their failure to comply with the law. The domains concerned will be controlled by the Commissioner of Crown Lands until such time as local Boards who will take an active interest in the care of these places of public recreation can be appointed. Inquiries are being made with regard to those Domain Boards that have not yet furnished a report for last year. I have, &c, T. N. Bbodbick, Under-Secretary. The Right Hon. W. F. Massey, P.C., Minister of Lands.

Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing (800 copies), £1.

Authority : Mabcus F. Mabks, Government Printer, Wellington. —1917.

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