DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY. SCENERY-PRESERVATION. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1917. TOGETHER WITH STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS AND SCHEDULE OF LANDS ACQUIRED AND RESERVED DURING THE YEAR UNDER THE SCENERY PRESERVATION ACT.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1917 Session I, C-06

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1917. NEW ZEALAN I).

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY. SCENERY-PRESERVATION. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1917. TOGETHER WITH STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS AND SCHEDULE OF LANDS ACQUIRED AND RESERVED DURING THE YEAR UNDER THE SCENERY PRESERVATION ACT.

Presented /<> both House* of the General Assembly pwrs'ua/it to Section I? of the Scenery ['reservation Act, 1908,.

Sib, — Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, Ist June, 1917. I have the honour to submit herewith report on scenery-preservation for the twelve months ended the 31st March, 1917. 1 have, &c, T. N. Beodbiok, The Right Eon. W. V. Massey, !'.('., Under-Secretary for Lands. Minister in Charge of Scenery-preservation,

EEPOET. The operations under the Scenery Preservation Act, 1908, have naturally been considerably lessened owing bo war conditions, as the acquisition of lands for scenic purposes is not of such paramount importance as matters connected with the ptoseeution of the war. Moreover, the reservation of land since 1903, when the Scenery Preservation Act was first passed, has already in a large measure dealt with the principal scenic lands of the Dominion, and on this account alone there is not the same necessity for action that existed fourteen years ago. Every care is, however, taken that no area of exceptional beauty is allowed to be destroyed, and when a suitable opportunity offers reservations of Crown land are made and private or Native land purchased for subsequent reservation. Reservations. During the year a large area of land on the slopes of the Ngongotaha Mountain overlooking Rotorua was acquired and set apart under the Act. Seeing that the mountain is one of the sights around Rotorua, it is very gratifying to know that the greater part of its beauty has now been permanently reserved, and future visitors to the locality will appreciate such action. In the Taranaki District a number of small areas of Crown lands, most of which had been previously reserved under the Land Act, were brought under the provisions of the SceneryPreservation Act. On the Wanganui River three areas of Native land have been acquired and proclaimed, and in the Wellington District two further areas on the river have also been secured. Some small areas in the vicinity of Raetihi, formerly reserved under the Land Act, were also proclaimed, whilst a memento of the days of the Maori War, in the shape of the blockhouse which was erected at that time at the [Ipper Hutt, was set apart under the Act. In the Canterbury District four areas between Christehurch and Akaroa were reserved. The total area of land set apart during the twelve months amounted to a little over 2,084 acres, which, added to the areas reserved in previous years, and deducting 96 acres of revocations during the year, left a grand total of 481 reserves, aggregating 283,815 acres.

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Wanganui River Reserves Commission. A matter of interest in connection with the subject of scenery-preservation was the setting-up of a Commission at the desire of the Natives to investigate and report upon the Wanganui River scenic and other reserves. It consisted of Messrs. T. A. Duncan, of Hunterville (Chairman), E, Phillips Turner, F.R.G.S. (Inspector of Scenic Reserves), and Hikaka Takirau, of Oeo, Taranaki, with Mr. S. Gambril] as secretary. The Commission viewed the whole of the reserves from the mouth of the river to Taumarunui, and met the Natives and other interested persons at various places to take evidence so as to enable all owners of land affected to state their views. The report of the Commission, which contains proposals to amend the boundaries of many of the reserves, is now receiving the consideration of the Government, and no doubt if the recommendations of the Commission are carried out the objections raised by the Natives will be largely removed. Inspection op Scenic: Reserves. Wherever possible honorary Inspectors are being appointed to look after reserves in their locality, so as to prevent the lighting of fires and other acts leading to destruction of the bush and scenery. It is often difficult to find suitable men with sufficient interest in the question of preserving the scenery of this Dominion to undertake the duties. It is, however, pleasant to be able to place on record the names of the following gentlemen who have kindly undertaken to accepf duties as honorary Inspectors, and have been appointed by His Excellency the Governor to such positions: Arthur Hunt (Paraparaunm Reserve); D. S. Hingston (Awahuri Road Reserve, Feilding; J. D. Henderson (Kenepuru Sound reserves); Fredrick Archer, jun. (Tennyson Inlet reserves); 11. C. Christian (Pelorus Sound, Yncyca, and North-west Ray reserves); Norman Christie (Ohakune scenic reserves); W. T. Webber (DTlrville Island reserves); William Coboldick (Ngongotaha Mountain, h'otorua); Richard Casey (Claremont Settlement Reserve, Canterbury)'. It is hoped that the services of other gentlemen will be secured from time to time to undertake similar duties over reserves in other parts of the Dominion. In addition to these gentlemen Scenic Hoards exercise supervision over reserves in many localities, such as Summit Road (Christchurch), New Plymouth, <fee., the reports of such Boards appearing in Appendix 0. Expenditure. The expenditure during the year was smaller than it has been since the passing of the Act, only £1,555 having been spent, out of which the acquisition of lands amounted to £252, and grants to the Summit Road Scenic Board and the erection of caretaker's cottage in the Kaituna Valley amounted to £538. By a reference to the appended table it will be seen that out of the £100,000 authorized to be expended under the Scenery Preservation Act there still remains a balance of £14,966 available for future voting by Parliament. As was the case during the preceding twelve months, every care was taken to curtail every unnecessary expenditure.

Comparison of Expenditure.

Year. Compensation for Land. Fencing and Maintenance. Surveys, Valuations, &c. Board's Expenses. Salaries. Total. 904-5 .905-6 906-7 .907-8 908-9 .909-10 .. .910-11 .. .911-12 .. 912-13 .. .913-14 914-15 .. 915-16 .. .916-17 .. £ 216 3,336 7,856 4,286 3,81.3 1,688 1,066 2,61.9 12,997 10,467 6,253 1,530 252 £ £ £ • £ Nil 52 1,822 * 527 1,221 * 304 801 185 * 382 555 86 175 1,063 540 24 325 1,159 2,603 Nil 325 685 1,643 11. 325 715 2,237 22 345 798 2,697 6 345 627 1,547 3 365 758 476 12 388 698 104 6 390 836 76 1 390 £ 2,090 5,084 9,146 5,484 5,765 5,775 3,730 5,938 16,843 13,009 7,887 2,728 1,555 Grand ti ital .. £85,034 * Included in Board's expenses.

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Scenery-preservation in Tasmania. It is interesting to note that in the beautiful island State of the Commonwealth a Scenery Preservation Act was passed in 1915, its provisions being somewhat similar to those of the New Zealand statute. The Scenery Preservation Board there consists of the Surveyor-General and the Director of the Tourist Bureau (as in New Zealand), together with the Commissioner of Railways and the Engineer-in-Chief (in place of the Under-Secretary Native Department and the local Commissioner of Crown Lauds, as in New Zealand). The National Park, comprising 27,000 acres, and other similar areas are to be placed under the control of the Board, partly with a. view to ensure the future protection of the kangaroos and opossums and to prevent wanton destruction of game, whilst it is hoped that the operations of the Board wili be attended with general success for these objects and in preserving and beautifying the many scenic reserves that will come under its jurisdiction. National Parks in Canada. The annual report of the Commissioner on Dominion Parks is always interesting, and shows that every effort is being made in Canada to protect the scenery, utilize the national parks and scenic reserves to the best advantage, and enable visitors to view them under satisfactory conditions. Preservation of wild life is one of the chief objects of the Board, and it is stated that the Herds of buffalo in the parks have now increased to 1,640. It. is also interesting to quote from the report of the Director the following reasons that influenced the Government in endeavouring to enable the people to utilize the parks to the best advantage : — " In previous reports I have pointed out in detail the many conditions —unsanitary habits of life, overheated rooms, lack of fresh air, poorly arranged factories and exclusion of sunlight, foul air, drudgery, monotony, lack of play, and similar hurtful conditions —which are constantly sapping the efficiency of the people. I also pointed out that, while many agencies must work to eliminate these adverse conditions, the ideal behind national parks—ample facilities for all Canadians to enjoy recreation in the out-of-doors —if realized, would offer a powerful antidote to these conditions, a means of largely minimizing their corrosive influence. To avoid repeating in detail how parks can and do effectively serve this purpose, attention is called to a few familiar instances of what life in the out-of-doors under proper conditions does for the human being. Every one in Canada has seen for himself the transformation that has been brought about in our troops —the bright eyes, the decisive step, the healthy glow—after a few weeks of ' setting-up 'in a military cam]). For centuries tuberculosis was an all-powerful and ever-victorious enemy of the human race until a few years ago, when it was discovered that nature —life in the open air close to nature —was an effective remedy, and now the ' white plague ' is fast disappearing. National parks exist for the purpose of providing for all the people of Canada facilities for acquiring that virile and efficient manhood so noticeable in Canadian military training-camps." Appendices. Attached to this report arc the following appendices : — A. Schedule of reserves made during the year, accompanied by a statement of accounts. B. Reports of the Inspectors of Scenic Reserves. C. Report of the Scenery Preservation Board, and local Scenic Boards.

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APPENDICES.

APPENDIX A. Reserves made in 1916-17 under the Scenery Preservation Act, 1908, and its Amendments.

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S o a fc Date of = a Local Name. Description. Area. Proclamation 0.2 in Ga ette. o *. as .. a o I* 11 Auckland Land District. a. k. i: 1910. I fj Part Rotohokahoka I) North No. li Block, 280 0 0 "1 .„._!.. ,. I Block XVI, Rotorua S.D. low .,(>/ Nirongota ha Mountain .. < ,, , o . , . . , ., ..i , ,,, , ... a ., n r* iNov. 8 " Pail Rotohokahoka 2 Block, Block IV, i 2 2 0 1 [_ Horohoro S. I). i J 282 2 0 j l_ Taranaki Land District. 1917. 1917. Upper Waitara .. .. Section 7, Block IV .. .. .. I 29 0 0 \~ Kapara .. .. ■• Section 11, Block V .. .. .. 27 0 18 .. Section 29, Block VI .. .. .. j 37 0 0 .. Section 30, Block VI .. .. .. 28 2 0 Waitara .. .. .. i Part 77, Block IX .. .. .. 9 10 Opaku .. .. .. Part II, Block IV .. .. .. 13 2 0 Aria .. .. .. Part 16, Block II .. .. .. 3 2 31! .. i 5, Block VIII.. .. .. 19 3 36 ..12, Block XI .. .. .. .. 303 0 0 .. I 27, Block XV.. .. .. .. 101 0 0 *J „ .. .. .. 28, Block XV.. .. .. .. 3 10 ! } 24 Aug. ..11, Block XVI .. .. .. 7 10 Ohura .. .. . . 9, Block IX .. . . .. 13 1 34 .. | Hi, Block X .. .. .. .. 29 3 0 ..21, Block XIII .. .. .. 8 0 30 .. i 8, Block XIV.. .. .. .. 13 0 0 Totoro .. .. .. I 23, Block IX .. .. .. .. 4 0 12 .. S 24, Block IX.. . . .. .. 815 Heao .. .. .. | 10, Block II .. .. .. .. 24 2 0 Pukoanihe Township .. .. Town Belt, Section 5 .. .. .. 7 2 0 .. Town Belt, Section 10 .. .. .. 0 3 10 191 6. 389 Taumatamahoe (part) (Wanganui Taumatamahoe 2b, 2b, part Subdivision 14, 478 0 0 2 Nov River) Block 111. Kii-i S.I). 1917. f Whakaihuwaka C. Block I. part Snhdivi- 21 I 31 "1 309 Ngaporo (part) (Wanganui River)-{ sion 13 ; 18 Jan. ( Part Subdivision 12, Block V I, Ouiara S.D. 198 0 6 J 24 Aug I 380 1,389 2 24 I 1 Wellington' l.aitd District. 1916. I Section 12. Block X . . . . . . 2 2 0 | j Section 13, Block X ... .. .. 13 36 * Makotuku S.D. .. J. Section 14, Block X . . 3 2 26 Ml May. Section 16, Block X .. .. .. 8 2 Hi Section 16, Block X .. .. .. 0 3 2 .,.., „ . . , ,, .... Part Puketarata 4i> Block .. .. 22 0 33 ) 163 Puketarata (part) (Wanganui, |. a .,., l> u k„ t!U . a | a ;J K|,„.k .. .. 14 I (I ll 3 July. tUyer) 1 Part Puketarata 2 Block .. .. 22 0 0 J 417 ' Upper Hutt Blockhouse .. Part Section 94, Block I, Riinutaka S.D... I 0 0 21 Sept f Waimarino CD. No. 3k 19 3 Hi ]] Waimarino C.J). No. 3 \< 26.2 2(1 Waimarino CD. No. 3c 33 0 31 Waimarino CD. No. 3n 3 1 27 Waimarino CD. No. 3c Blocks I, II, and 2 120 371 Hauatara (Wanganui River) Waimarino CD. No. 3b2 V III, Owatua •,' 4 2 0 V2 Nov. Waimarino CD. No. 3b2 S.D. Ll 3 16 Waimarino CD. No. 3d 34 2 20 Waimarino CI). No. 3c 33 3 11 Waimarino C. D. No. 2 8 118 Waimarino CI). No. 2 J [_ 20 0 0 _ 275 2 18 275 2 18 tin 6 in Nelson Land District. 1915. * .. Section No. II, Block XV, Rahu S.D. .. 19 2 0 21 Sept. 1!) 2 0 1915. 21 Sept. 19 2 0 19 2 0 Canterbury Land District. 1916. 397 .. Parts R.S. 2612, 3083, 34824, and 35655 91 2 25 (i April. (Reserve 3984), Block VII, Halswell S.D. f. Reserve 3234, Block X, Pigeon Bay S.D. .. 5 0 0 1 *414 .. - Reserve 3106, Blocks IX and X, Pigeon 17 0 0 >3 Aug. l\ Bay S.D. J 415 Caretakers Cottage, Kaituna Val- j Part R.S. 21316 (Reserve 3988), Block XII, 2 ON 1.0 Aug. ley Halswoll S.D. 412 I Peel Forest (part) .. .. i Closed roads, Block II, Orari S.D. .. 1 0 36 31 Aug. 1916. 0 April. 91 2 25 5 0 0 17 0 0 U Aug. 10 Aug. 2 0 11 1 0 86 31 Aug. I I « •! 'JO 116 3 32 116 3 32 i rrrrrrr-r—^^ * Previous Land Act reservations.

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Revocation of Reservations.

Summary of Reserves. District. No. Area. A. b. r. Auckland ... ... ... ... ... 1 282 2 0 Taranaki ... ... .. ... ... 23 1,.'15!) 2 24 Wellington ... ... ... ... ... 8 275 2 18 Nelson ... ... ... ... ... ] 19 2 0 Canterbury ... ... ... ... ... 5 116 3 32 Total, 1916-17 ... ... 38 2.084 0 34 Reserved up to 31st March, 1916 ... ... 447 281,827 233 485 283,911 3 27 Less reservations revoked ... ... ... 4 96016 Grand total ... ... ... 481 283,815 3 U Statement of Accounts, showing the Amounts expended and the Purpose to which the Money so expended has been applied, foe the Year ended 31st March, 1917. Vote WO. £ s. (I. Item I.—Salaries... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 390 0 0 Item 2. —Administration of reserves and historic spots (including fencing and other works) .... ... ... ... ... ... ... 298 5 8 Item 3.—Compensation, &c, in connection with lands taken under the Scenery Preservation Act, 1908 ... ... ... ... ... 50 0 0 Item 5. —Compensation for Native lands taken for scenery purposes (including historic spots) under the Public Works Act, 1908, and the Native Land Act, 1909 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 201 17 I Item 8. —Expenses of Boards ... ... ... ... ... ... 16 0 Item 9.—Grant towards Summit Road Scenic Reserve Board ... ... ... 350 0 0 Item 10. —Kaituna Valley Scenic Reserve: Erection of caretaker's cottage 187 14 6 Item 14. —Surveys, valuations, and incidental expenses ... ... ... 75 16 0 .£1,554 19 3 Item 2. — Administration of Reserves and, Historic Spots (including Cost of Fencing and other Works). £ s. d. Salaries of caretakers ... ... ... ... ... . ... 116 13 4 Eradication of noxious weeds, rabbiting, &c, on reserves and historic spots ... 68 18 3 Providing upkeep of fences and other works on reserves ... ... ... 71 7 4 Travelling-expenses ... ■•■ ... ... ... ... 16, 17 0 Sowing wattle-seed on reserves ... ... ... ... ... 24 9 9 £298 5 8

Item 3.—Compensation for Land taken under the Scenery Preservation Act, 1908.

Description. Area. Date of Proclamation in Gazette. Section 5, Block IX, Hunua S.D. Section 14, Block VI, Motupeko S.D. Section 14. Block X, Mokotuku Section 8, Block IV, Retaruke S.D. A. K. P. 12 1 20 67 I 8 3 2 26 12 3 2 25 May, 1916. . 1 June, 1916. | 8 June, 1916. 21 December, 1916. 96 0 16

Name of Reserve. Particulars of Block, &c. Amount. IcLcnnan River £ s. d. Compensation for timber rights, Section 2, 50 0 0 Block _IX, Woodland

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Item 5. — Compensation for Native Lands acquired for Scenery Purposes under the Public Works Act, 1908.

APPENDIX B. Report of the Inspectors of Scenic Reserves. Owing to the exigencies occasioned by the war and the consequent demand upon officers of the Public Service, the services of the Inspector (Mr. E, Phillips Turner, I'YR.G.S.) were utilized during the year upon other work, of more urgency than inspection. After the war his supervision and inspection work will be resumed. Report on Scionic Reserves, Queen Charlotte Sound. During the year just ended matters in connection witli the above reserves have been fairly quiet, and I have in no single instance been called upon to wain visitors or others against bringing or using firearms on the reserves. Taken on the whole the summer in this locality has been a fairly dry one, particularly so throughout the month of March, but one reserve only has been damaged by fire, and that not to a serious extent. Visitors for the greater part of the year were very occasional, though the discrepancy was fully made up during the months of December and January, when the numbers were fairly large considering the unsettled state of the times. I was particularly impressed by the spirit of Orderliness obtaining amongst the crews of various visiting yachts, in contradistinction to the vandalism displayed in several instances on previous occasions. The first week of last November saw a torrential fall of rain continuing for several days, when a considerable amount of damage was done by slips and land-slides. Several of the reserves now show ugly scars from this cause, the chief sufferer in this respect being Ship Cove, where a number of slips and a large slide of several acres in extent came down, bringing with it all growth and depositing it into the sea. It will be many years before the scars are again clothed in their native growth. One slip in the gorge of the main stream brought down an accumulation of debris, clicking the mouth and diverting the stream against the foundation of the Cook Monument, and greatly endangering it thereby. Precautionary measures have been taken to obviate this, a stone groyne encased in wire netting having been built up-stream, diverting it into a new course, which should ensure the safety of the monument. Sanitary conveniences at Ship Cove were also inspected and put into a thorough state of repair. Some 15 acres of the Pattens Point Reserve was destroyed by fire, caused by a spark Hying some 5 or 6 chains from, a scrub-fire on an adjoining property and lodging in a mass of dry manuka. Though at present the burnt area presents an unsightly blot on the reserve, in a few years' time it will again show its normal appearance, as the destroyed portion consists mainly of a growth of small manuka scrub which will soon cover the surface of the land again. In nearly every instance fires on these reserves have been caused by the adjoining settlers persisting in firing on their properties when the wind is driving to the reserves. They have been repeatedly warned against this practice, but to date little notice has been taken. [t should not be difficult, when ordinary precautions are taken, to ensure the reserves from the risk of spreading fires. During the course of the year 120 days were spent in visiting, inspecting, and otherwise looking after the general welfare of the reserves, the time of call being varied from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m., and in many cases I stayed at the bays for the night. Harvey Turner, Inspector.

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Name of Reserve. Particulars of Block, &c. Amount. Amount. I , Mamaku .. .. .. Part Okoheriki 2c No. 3b Tongoio .Falls . . .. Part Purahotangihia, Block IV Mangoira . . . . . . Mangoira 1 and 2, Blocks VIII and X, Awakino North, and II and III, Awakino S.D. Ngatira .. .. Part Whaiti Kuranui J a Mangapohue Natural Bridge .. Part Taumatatotara No. 1a 2 and part Kinoliaku West L No. 2b Ohura .. .. .. Access road to Ohura Falls * a rl £ s. d. 13 1 1 4 14 9 111 2 5 .16 15 6 46 3 4 10 0 0 £ s. d. 13 1 1 4 14 9 111 2 5 16 15 6 46 3 4 10 0 0 £201 17 1 Item 11/.. — Cost of Surveys, <ke., of Scenic Reserves. Advertising Valuation, legal expenses, eve. ... ... ... ... ... ... Survey of Gravenor Bush, &c. Report on scenic reserve. Lake Okataina Survey, Ahikouka Scenic Reserve .., £ s. (I. 14 1 :', 8 9 6 25 12 0 18 3 2 9 10 I .£75 16 0

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APPENDIX C. Report of the Scenery Preservation Board. During; the year ended the 31st March, 191.7, the following meetings of the Board were held: On Wednesday. 28th June, 1916, to deal with lands in the Canterbury District; on Wednesday, 16th August, 1916, to deal with lands in the Wellington District; and on Tuesday, 22nd August, 1916, to deal with lands in the Wellington District. These meetings were all field in the office of the Surveyor-General, Wellington. Eight recommendations were made by the Board regarding the acquisition of land for scenic reservation and submitted to His Excellency the Governor. The Hoard also considered and dealt with other eases in which they did not recommend the acquisition of land. The work of the Hoard has necessarily been circumscribed through war conditions, and the fact that such large areas of land have now been acquired and reserved under the Scenery Preservation Act has also limited to a considerable extent the scenic areas of the Dominion which have yet to be dealt with. Owing to the financial stringency at the present time no recommendations have been made to purchase land, save in one or two instances where the scenic beauty was in danger of early destruction. Every care is taken to conserve the funds of the Scenery Preservation Account compatible with the proper carrying-out of the duties entrusted to the Board. E. H. Wn.siOT, Chairman, Scenery Preservation Hoard. Report of Summit Road Scenic Reserves Board. The Board met seven times during the year —namely, 13th and 19th April, 24th July, 15th September, 30th October, 1916; and 22nd January and Bth March, 1917. 'fhe area under the control of the Board has increased during the year from 1,143 to 1,383 acres. Part of the land is leased, and brings in a sum of £90 per annum. The reserves to the north of Dyer's Pass, on the Summit Road—namely, Wych Hill, The Tors, Mount Cavendish (or Morten), Mount Pleasant, and Jollies Bush—are still unfenced, but, as no fires have occurred, the native vegetation is growing well. As to the reserves to the south of" Dyer's Pass, Coronation Hill is unfenced, but the vegetation is growing well. Kennedy's Bush Reserve, with which is now merged Hoon Hay Park Reserve, Mount Ada (or the " North Peak," as this hill was called by Kennedy), and Cass Peak, the whole reserve is well fenced on the north-west with a rabbit-proof fence. On the south side of the reserve, from Cass Peak Hush to the foot of Mount Ada, the Board has erected a good fence, using material saved from the several subdivision fences which traversed different parts of the land now included in the reserve; 33 chains of this fence is rabbit-proof, the wire netting being supplied by the late Mr. Cook. All the other reserves —namely, Almriri Bush, Parkinson's Bush, Herbert Park, Mount Fitzgerald, Mount Sinclair, and Reserve No. 3002 —are in good order. The house at Parkinson's Bush (in stone) is nearly complete, and has already been used by a walking party. It will be finished by the end of May, and, judging from the applications made, it will be much appreciated. A house (stone) is now being built on Coronation Hill Reserve (Dyer's Pass) for the use of touring parties along the Summit Road. The Canterbury Acclimatization Society presented the Board with five wekas, which have been liberated on Kennedy's. Bush Reserve. Bala/nce-sheet. Receipts. C s. d. i Expenditure. £ s. d. Balance ... .. .. .. 60 (i :i I Purchaso of land .. .. .. 400 0 0 Rents .. .. .. .. 92 8 4 Refund guarantees (bank) .. .. 150 0 0 Donations .. .. .. .. 35 0 0 Labour and supplies .. .. .. 182 10 9 Advance from Treasury .. .. .. 350 0 0 Interest and insurance .. .. .. 114 5 0 Miscellaneous .. .. .. .. 3 0 0 Miscellaneous .. '.. .. .. 54 10 6 Bank overdraft .. .. .. 361 5 8 £901 15 3 £901 15 3 W. H. Skinner, Chairman. Report of New Plymouth Scenic Reserves Board. During the year the Board held three ordinary meetings and one special meeting. The control of further scenic reserves were vested in the Board as follows : Pukerangiora Pa, 36 acres, being part Section 179, Huirangi District, Block IX, Waitara Survey District; Pukemiro Scenic Reserve, 7 acres 2 roods 18 perches, being part Section 7, Block 111, Waitara Survey District; Onairo River Scenic Reserve, two areas of 10 acres 30 perches and 3 acres 26 perches, being respectively part Section 102 and part Section 101, Block VII, Waitara Survey District. The " Meeting of the Waters " Scenic Reserve, comprising 61 acres 2 roods 30 perches, situated five miles from the New Plymouth Borough at the junction of the Mangorei and Waiwakaiho Rivers, is also to be placed under the Board's control. The Hoard will then 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 Pa : Leased for five years to the New Plymouth Borough Council at a peppercorn rental of Is. per annum, with improvement conditions, under section 9 of the Scenery Preservation Act, 1908.

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Pukemiro and Onairo River Reserves: Inspected and reported on by the Chairman and Mr. Percy Smith in accordance with a resolution of the Board. The gorse on the latter reserve has been cleared at a cost of £6 10s. Pukerangiora Pa : Inspected by the Board. Gorse on road-line (26 chains) cleared at a cost of £20. The reserve has been leased for five years to Mr. E. Richards at £3 per annum, with improvement conditions, subject to section 9 of the Act. There is a proposal to fence off (when funds are available) and plant with karaka-trees a small plateau on this reserve to make it attractive to picnic parties and visitors. Ratapihipilii Reserve: Inspected by members of the Board. A four-years lease, with improvement conditions, over 5 acres of the open part of the reserve has been granted to Mr. R. Davies at ss. per annum. 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 Board, to plant open patches of this reserve with young wattle-trees next spring. The wdiole of the eastern boundary of the reserve has been fenced in concrete and wood posts with six 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 under arrangement. Funds : The Minister in Charge authorized £25 for maintenance and improvement of the reserves during the year. After providing for the half-cost of fencing two boundaries of the Ratapihipihi Reserve, referred to above, there was an unexpended balance of £2 17s. 6d. at the close of the year when the authority lapsed. The cost of gorse-clearing at Onairo and Pukerangiora Pa Reserves was defrayed by the Lands Department out of their ordinary noxious-weeds vote. As the foregoing amounts were authorizations and not in the nature of a direct grant in aid to the Board, they cannot be accounted for in the statement of accounts attached. Receipts and Expenditure. £ s. d. £ s. d Rent received .. . . . . .. 3 710 Fencing .. .. .. .. 22 2 (i Treasury . . .. .. 22 2 6 In bank . . .. .. .. 3 710 £25 10 4 £25 10 4 G. H. Bullaud, Chairman.

Report of Pongaroa Scenic Board. During the year four meetings of the Board were held, there being an average attendance of six members. The condition of the reserves is fairly good. Less cattle have been grazing there this year than formerly, and no fires have taken place on the 50-acre reserve, although a small fire took place on some clear laud in another part of the reserve. Stock trespassing on the reserve was impounded by the County Council's Ranger, and a portion of boundary-fence has been erected along the road, whilst other fencing is being repaired. Report of Whangarei Borough Council, controlling Coronation Scenic Reserve. The reserve is in first-class order, and no damage has been incurred during the past year. A bridge was constructed at the Kauika Road entrance at a cost of £8 10s., and interest paid on the loan amounted to £27 10s. Report of Invercargill Borough Council, controlling Waihopai River-bank Scenic Reserve. There has been very little work done during the past year. A new bathing-shed has been erected, and improvements carried out in the river and the grounds adjacent, at a total expenditure of £109 4s. 3d. Report of Levin Borough Council, acting as Waiopehu Scenic Board. The work done during the year consisted of planting trees, fencing, and erection of gates, the expenditure comprising £64 18s. 9d. The reserve is in good order. Report oe Northcotf Scenic Board on Kauri Gully, Northcote. The reserve and the tracks, bridges, &c, through it are generally in order. At the entrance to the gully there is a fairly level area of about 5 acres, formerly in tea-tree scrub of no value, and which was a source of danger to the reserve. The Board has made arrangements to lease this at a rental of £10 per annum for a term of five years, the area to be cleared of scrub and cultivated, the lessee to plant not less than 500 shrubs and trees during his term, and to lay the land down in grass before the license expires. The lessee has done good work in clearing the scrub, and intends cultivating the area as a strawberry garden until regrassed. He also acts as caretaker for the whole of the reserve at a remuneration equal to the rent of the land, and is to keep the whole of the reserve in good order and prevent damage. The reserve is a favourite resort for picnickers and campers from the surrounding district.

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