DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY SCENERY PRESERVATION REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1947, TOGETHER WITH STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURE AND SCHEDULE OF LANDS ACQUIRED AND RESERVED DURING THE YEAR UNDER THE SCENERY PRESERVATION ACT

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1947 Session I, C-06

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1947 NEW ZEALAND

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY SCENERY PRESERVATION REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1947, TOGETHER WITH STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURE AND SCHEDULE OF LANDS ACQUIRED AND RESERVED DURING THE YEAR UNDER THE SCENERY PRESERVATION ACT

Presented to both Homes of the General Assembly pursuant to Section 17 of the\ Scenery Preservation Act, 1908

Department of Lands and Survey, "Wellington, 30th June, 1947. Sir, — I have the honour to submit herewith a report on scenery preservation for the year ended 31st March, 1947. I have, &c., D. M. Greig, Under-Secretary for Lands. The Hon. the Minister in Charge of Scenery Preservation, Wellington.

REPORT

Proclamations during the year setting apart land as scenic or historic reserves under the Scenery Preservation Act covered a total area of 6,538 acres. In the North Auckland Land District a small piece of closed road was added to a scenic reserve in the Kaihu district. Two areas of 114 acres and 108 acres respectively of steep bush country near the Ruapekapeka Pa were placed under reservation, one of them being voluntarily surrendered out of his lease by a Crown lessee in order that the bush might be preserved. In the Kaeo district an area of 217 acres at the headwaters of the Waionopu Stream was set apart. This reserve comprises some 170 acres most generously donated by Mr. T. H. Hayes and members of his family, plus some 47 acres of Crown land, the whole forming a compact area with well-defined natural boundaries! on three sides. Most of the reserve is in good bush, and there is an outstanding hill on the area running up to 1,060 ft. An area of 148 acres of Crown land was added to the Trounson Kauri Park to help in rounding off the boundaries of that magnificent reserve.

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Three small reserves! totalling 330 acres were set apart in the Auckland Land District. These comprised 206 acres of bush land in the Waitanguru Block, Waitomo County, 95 acres in good mixed bush on the main route to Kawhia, and the Okere Falls and stream at the outlet to Lake Rotoiti. The Okere Falls area was handed over to this Department by the Tourist Department for administration under the Scenery Preservation Act. The falls are a well-known attraction in the Rotorua district and are now included in the itineraries of sight-seeing] charabancs. An area of 1,396 acres of bush land on the Waireka River (Opotiki County), was the only reservation, made in the Gisborne Land District during the year. In the Taranaki Land District arrangements were made for the surrender by a Crown lessee of 1,048 acres of steep bush-clad country on the Tangarakau River, and this land was added to the large reserves already s£t aside in that locality. An acceptable addition to Crown scenic reserves in the Wellington Land District was provided by the setting-apart of 929 acres of bush land in the Waikanae district. This area, along with a leasehold property of 447 acres, was acquired on very favourable terms from the Belton Estate a few years ago and has now been permanently reserved. Reservations totalling 2,042 acres were made in the Marlborough Land District, particulars being as follows: (as) An area of 13| acres in bush at the confluence of the Puhi Puhi and Clinton Rivers. This area was portion of a public-school site, but was not required for that purpose, and the Education Board therefore agreed to hand it back to the Crown for reservation under the Scenery Preservation Act, (&) An area of 1,623 acres (Iwituaroa Native Block) in Queen Charlotte Sound about six miles from Picton. This property was acquired by the Crown in 1918 from the Maori owners. It was held under lease at the time, and in accordance with the terms of the lease was then sold by the Crown to the lessee. The Department would have preferred to have set the area apart as a reserve at that time, but unfortunately the freehold had to be granted on the application of the then lessee, Since then proposals have been considered on various occasions for the acquisition of the whole or portion of the property, but until recently the price wanted was always much too high. However, a few years ago> the property was offered at a reasonable figure, and the Department was able to conclude satisfactory negotiations for its purchase. The Bruce trustees very generously contributed £l,OOO towards the cost. The block is practically all in bush, and is considered by many to rank almost equal to Kumutoto and Ship Cove from -a scenic point of view. (c) Two areas of 79 acres and 114 acres respectively at Cockle Bay, Queen Charlotte Sound, acquired from the owner at a very reasonable figure. Cockle Bay is a favourite spot much frequented by yachtsmen, and the Department was pleased that the owner was able to agree to dispose of the land in order that it might be made a permanent reserve. (d) Three additions to the Kumutoto Scenic Reserves, Queen Charlotte Sound, comprising two freehold areas of 75 acres and 17 acres respectively and a Crown leasehold area of approximately 128 acres. Part of the land is in light bush, and the remainder in fern

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reverting to second growth. The acquisition of these areas will help considerably towards the consolidation of the Kumutoto Reserves, which, of all the reserves in Queen Charlotte Sound, are probably the most popular with picnickers and visitors from all parts of the Dominion. (e) An area of 12 acres of Crown land between the railway and the sea at Waipapa Bay in South Marlborough. This reserve will be placed under the control of the Hundaiee Scenic Reserves Board. In the Nelson Land District an area of 157 acres of Crown land two miles from Upper MatakitaM and containing 100 acres of birch bush was set apart under the Act. There was already a reserve on the other side of the river at that point. Reservations in the Westland Land District comprised that of a small area at Waiho and an area of 191 acres on the Great South Road at Mount Hercules. The latter area is a fairly steep slope in dense mixed bush of great scenic beauty. Ripa Island, in Lyttelton Harbour, was set aside as an historic reserve during the year, it no longer being required for defence purposes. Control of the reserve has been vested in the Lyttelton Harbour Board. In ancient times it was the site of a fortified pa. In' more recent days it was used as a quarantine-station, and later was converted into a harbour fortress. The areas set apart throughout the Dominion during the year may be roughly classified as follows: Class of Land. Area (Acres). Crown land areas .. .. .. .. 2,174 Private land acquired by Department, assisted by Bruce trustees .. .. .. .. 1,623 Crown leasehold areas; made available in various ways 1,302 Private land acquired by Department .. .. 1,214 Gift areas .. .. .. .• • • 170 Miscellaneous areas .... .. .. 55 Total .. .. • • • • • • 6,538 The reservation over 90£ acres of scenic reserve in the Pohangina' Valley, Wellington Land District, was cancelled during the year. This reserve, together with an adjoining area of State forest and a piece of stopped road, was, by section 23 of the Reserves and other Lands Disposal Aet, 1946, declared a public domain, and control was granted to the Palmerston North City Council acting as the Pohangina Valley Domain Board. The number of scenic reservations in the Dominion is now 1,220, covering a total area of 920,760 acres. AREAS PURCHASED BUT NOT PROCLAIMED BY END OF YEAR, AND GIFTS OF SCENIC AREAS Arrangements for the purchase of several areas were made during the year, and negotiations for others are in progress. Proclamations over these areas will issue when the necessary title adjustments have been completed. A fine area of bush was given by Mr. W. A. Miller, of Eketahuna, to whom thanks are due for his public-spirited action. This area will be permanently reserved during the coming year and will be a welcome addition to the all too few reserves in the Wairarapa.

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SUPERVISION OF RESERVES During the year special Boards were appointed or reappointed as follows: the Ohakune Lakes Scenic Board to control the Ohakune Lakes Scenic Reserves; the Hae Hae te Moana Scenic Board to control the Hae Hae te Moana Scenic Reserves; the Whangaroa County Council to control the Ranfurly Bay Scenic Reserve; the Lake Rotoiti Scenic Board to control the Lake Rotoiti Scenic Reserves; the Hutt County Council to control the Lowry Bay Scenic Reserve; the Lyttelton Harbour Board to control the Ripa Island Historic Reserve; and the Rawene To-wn Board to control a scenic reserve in Hokianga suburbs. Vacancies in various Boards were filled, and additional members were appointed to the Hutchison and New Plymouth Scenic Reserve Boards. Forty-eight gentlemen were appointed throughout the Dominion as honorary Inspectors of Scenic Reserves. The Department is greatly helped in the task of safeguarding scenic reserves by the keen interest shown by the public-spirited people who accept appointment as honorary Inspectors. Despite extreme pressure of work in other directions, as many inspections as possible have been made by members of the field staff of the Department itself, and the Ranger on Stewart Island made periodical inspections of the reserves on the island throughout the year. Caretakers are in residence on the Trounson Kauri Park Reserve and the Balls' Clearing (Puketitiri, Hawke's Bay Reserve). GENERAL It is pleasing to be able to report that the past year proved a great improvement on the preceding one, when the very existence of some of the more important scenic reserves in various parts of the country was menaced by fire. Fire damage during the year under review was practically nil, although very dry conditions obtained in some districts in the hotter months. Some minor cases of trespass were reported, and appropriate action was taken in all cases. The usual maintenance and improvement work was carried out on Trounson Kauri Park, which maintains its great popularity with the general public. The Cape Kidnapper Bird Sanctuary again attracted many hundreds: of visitors during the nesting season, and the collection-box held by one of the honorary Rangers at Clifton, who also issues the necessary permits to visitors, yielded good returns to the controlling Board. Some small grants were made to Scenic Boards for fencing and general improvements, and the Department itself attended to the fencing of a few reserves. FUTURE OPERATIONS A good many Crown areas have been listed for reservation in the near future, and should prove valuable additions to the Dominion's scenic reserves. In particular, it is hoped during the coming year to complete the settingapart of large areas of Crown land and State forest in South Westland, many of them on the route of the Main South Road. The ready co-operation of the State Forest Service in this connection is gratefully acknowledged. It is proposed, as funds and opportunities permit, to continue the purchase of selected areas of private land that possess scenic attractions, and it is hoped that more gifts will be made by owners to the State of bush and other areas that they would like to see dedicated to the public for all time. The continued co-operation of local bodies in the acquisition of scenic areas in their districts is also confidently anticipated.

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A matter that should perhaps be specially mentioned is that of the preservation of scenic bush on the Taumarunui-Tokaanu Road. There seems to be an impression in some quarters that nothing is being done to preserve the scenic beauty of this important highway. That is very far from being the ease. Negotiations have been in progress for some years, and the stage has now been reached when it can be said that there need be no fear of adequate reserves not being set aside. For instance, on the partition of the Waituhi-Kuratau 4b Block, in which the Crown held a considerable interest, an area of 913 acres of the Crown award will be proclaimed as scenic reserve when the necessary title adjustments can be made, and arrangements are well advanced for the acquisition from the Maori owners of a further 82, acres of bush of high scenic value. Negotiations are also well in hand for the acquisition of large areas in other Maori-owned blocks along the road, and a notice prohibiting the alienation other than to the Crown of the areas concerned has been issued. APPENDICES The appendices to this report are listed hereunder:— A. Schedule of reserves made during the year, together with a statement of expenditure. B. An account of the work carried out on Kapiti. APPENDICES

APPENDIX A Reserves made in 1946-47 under the Scenery Preservation Act, 1908

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Local Name. Description. Area. Date of Proclamation. North Auckland Land District A. R. P. Kaihu Section 38, Block III, Kaihu Survey District 0 2 16 11/9/46 ["Section 14, Block I, Hukerenui Survey 114 2 00 22/3/47 Ruapekapeka-Kawa-J District kawa Road I Section 17, Block I, Hukerenui Survey 108 1 25 22/3/47 [_ District Waionopu Stream Allotments N.W. 6, S. 6, and Lots 1 and 2 217 3 20 22/3/47 (Allotments N. 6 and part Allotment 102), D. P. 29046, Kaeo Parish Trounson Kauri Park Section 15, Block XI, Waipoua Survey 148 2 00 22/3/47 (addition) District Auckland Land District Waitanguru .. Sections 40 and 43, Block VII, Maunga206 0 05 16/7/46 mangero Survey District Ngutunui Stream Section 19, Block X, Pirongia Survey 95 0 00 22/3/46 District Okere Falls Section 8, Block VI, Rotoiti Survey District 28 3 07 22/3/46 Gisborne Land District Sections 10 and 12, Block VII, Waioeka 1,396 0 00 ( 22/3/46 Waioeka River .. j Survey District Taranaki Land District Tangarakau River Part Section 9, Block VII, Pouatu Survey I 1,048 2 00 j 22/3/46 District

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Appendix A—continued

Statement showing Expenditure on Scenery Preservation for the Year ended 31st March, 1947 £ s. d. Acquisition of land .. .. .. .. .. 543 9 0 G-eneral administration, maintenance charges, improvements, and grants to Scenic Boards .. .. .. .. 1,811 610 Trounson Kauri Park: Charges in connection with improvement, maintenance, and protection . . .. .. .. 1,043 5 0 Waitangi Endowment : Tree-planting, &c. .. .. 1,193 10 9 £4,591 11 7 The total expenditure to date since 1904 is £272,198, including £186,214 spent on the acquisition of land.

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Local Name. Description. 1 Area. Date of Proclamation. Wellington Land District A. R. P. Waikanae Sections 11 and 12, D.P. 500, Block VII, Kaitawa Survey District Marlborough Land District 929 0 13 | 22/3/46 Puhi Puhi Iwituaroa Cockle Bay Kumutoto (additional) Waipapa Bay Section 8 and Part Section 1, Block XV, Kaitarau Survey District Sections 4 and 5, Block VII, Linkwater Survey District fLot 1, D.P. 1520, being Part Lot 1 of J Section 1, Block III, Arapawa Survey * District 13, Block X, Gore Survey District fLot 1, D.P. 1045, being part of Sections 5a and 5b, No. 2, Tunoamai Native Block, Block I, Arapawa Survey District , Parts Sections 28 and 80, District of Queen 1 Charlotte Sound, Block I, Arapawa Survey District | Part Section 95, Block I, Arapawa Survey District Part Section 4, Block XIV, Puhi Puhi Survey District Nelson Land District 13 1,623 79 114 75 17 127 12 2 29 0 00 1 00 0 00 0 00 0 21-3 3 23-1 1 00 16/7/46 19/8/46 22/3/46 22/3/46 22/3/46 22/3/46 22/3/46 22/3/46 Matakitaki 1 Section 7, Block II, Matakitaki Survey | District Westland Land District 156 3 21 22/3/46 Waiho Part Reserve 386, Block XI, Waiho Survey District Reserve 1833 (formerly part Section 2990), Block VIII, Wataroa Survey District Canterbury Land District 2 3 20-9 24/2/47 Mount Hercules 19 2 16 22/3/47 Ripa Island Reserve 109, Block I, Pigeon Bay Survey District 4 0 00 5/9/46 6,538 3 17-3

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APPENDIX B Kapiti Island As the years pass, Kapiti Island is gradually showing regeneration, assisted by the planting of trees and the systematic extermination of pests. The beginning of the year saw Mr. K. D. Jones acting as Caretaker on the island. This gentleman and Mr. Morris Jones, of Kelburn, have, over a long period of years, shown an abounding interest in the welfare of the reserve and have given much valuable assistance. Mr. Morris Jones has once again given and planted native trees. To both these gentlemen thanks are due. In June Mr. W. A. Lindsay was appointed permanent Caretaker. Due to the preceding unsettled period, a great deal of necessary maintenance to the cottage and surrounds has been necessarily postponed, but this was carried out by Mr. Lindsay, who renovated and painted the cottage, cleared the drains, and in general rejuvenated the area. For some time the reserve was without the services of a trapper and rats and opossums again began to increase; but with a recent appointment to this position these pests, which are destructive to both the bush and the birds, should soon be brought under control again. It is perhaps worthy of note that during April Mr. Jones reported the highest tide ever recorded at the island. As a result the rails on the slipway below low tide shifted and were subsequently removed and replaced. Other extensive repairs were made tof the slipway. The weather to December was fairly seasonal, but the dry spell over the last three months made it necessary to curtail permits to visit the reserve on account of the serious risk of fire, but the conduct of the visitors was exemplary and it is pleasing to report that no fire occurred. The severe southerly storm of 15th February caused some minor damage to the boat-shed, brought down a few small trees, and badly scorched the manuka, which provides excellent shelter on the exposed fringe of the island. Tree-planting has been carried out and all trees on the "reserve are reported to be growing well. Kowhais, which previously were only around the memorial seat, were planted by the Caretaker, who has begun a nursery near the cottage. Bird-life is increasing. In July pigeons, bell-birds, .tuis, white heads, South Island robins, and wekas were all plentiful about the cottage and were very tame. Two kakas were being fed by hand each morning. A grey kiwi was also sighted. During this month a number of terns were reported as having been washed up along the west coast of the North Island and several were washed up on the island. Young kaka and wekas were seen during September, while grey ducks, Californian quail, bell-birds, and tuis were all nesting near the cottage. Two newcomers during October and November were the long-tailed and shining cuckoo. In February, despite the severity of the storm, bird-life was still plentiful and the yellow-fronted parrakeet was sighted. During the year several improvements and acquisitions, in addition to renovations, have improved conditions and allowed for more efficient running of the reserve. A new winch has been installed at the slipway, and will greatly facilitate the work of the Caretaker in his handling of boats and stores.

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The provision of a new electric generator has made possible the installation of wireless-telephone communication with the mainland. It is hoped that this essential equipment will be completed at an early date and so give a much desired contact direct with the island. The complete installation of lighting throughout the cottage should soon be accomplished. The building of a new 12 ft. flat-bottomed boat by the Caretaker has not only simplified the transport problem, but has also made it possible to visit the southern part of the island for the first time. It is felt that with the work already carried out and the installation of this new equipment, together with the undoubted keenness of the Caretaker, that this unusual reserve will become increasingly popular and a source of great interest to those interested in all aspects of flora and fauna.

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given; printing (648 copies), £l4.

By Authority: E. V. Paul, Government Printer, Wellington. —1947. Price 6d.]

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