C. -13b

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and the proposed climatic reserve behind Mount Patriarch and extending along the south side of the main range as far as the sources of Bartlett's Creek, it will embrace a total area of something like three hundred square miles, the extreme western point being Ward's Pass, the head of one of the branches of the Goulter Eiver. This end of the national park is a favourite resort for deer, and has been for several years past. I ought to mention that the boundaries of this proposed national park include a strip of country that is in the Nelson District, but which naturally belongs to the Marlborough District, and I shall address you on this subject shortly, when the pians are a little further advanced. The present boundary between Marlborough and Nelson Districts runs down the Heringa Eiver to its junction with the Pelorus, and then up the Pelorns Eiver to its source. The most suitable natural boundary would be to continue the line along the leading range running parallel with the Pelorus and to the north-west of it, joining the old boundary again at Slaty Peak. The most of the climatic reserves in the neighbourhood of the Sounds consists of what is generally known as black-birch timber, and is chiefly in inaccessible positions, but useful for conserving the water-supply. There is not much forest land in the southern part of the Marlborough District, but I have recommended a few reserves which I think it is desirable to make. As I leave for the Eai Valley by the coach to-morrow morning, I shall not be able to notice all these reserves in detail, but will do so on my return, and will also specify the few cases in which I recommend the resumption of private lands. C. W. Adams, The Surveyor-General, Wellington. Commissioner of Crown Lands.

Department of Lands and Survey, District Office, Blenheim, 20th July, 1902. Ke Circular No. 507, Preservation of Native Forest. In continuation of my former report, of the 23rd July last, I now beg to submit the following remarks. I will deal with the various survey maps in geographical order, beginning at the north :— Tennyson Survey District. —The climatic reserve and proposed climatic reserve shown on this map consist chiefly of high country, with birch bush, and lie to the north of the State forest reserve in Eai Valley. The two scenic reserves shown on each side of Tennyson Inlet consist chiefly of birch bush, and are rough and precipitous. The proposed scenic reserve at the head of the Bonga Valley is portion of the proposed scenic reserve embracing the whole of the Ronga Valley. The remainder of this reserve lies in the Wakainarina District. Orieri District. —The large scenic reserve, Section 5, Block XII., Orieri, containing 1,683 acres, has a nice basin fronting Tawa Bay, and is covered with forest consisting chiefly of mixed bash. Section 4, Block XIV., 47 acres, is a small scenic reserve between Tawhitinui and Kauauroa Bays, heavily timbered. Section 7, Block VII., 179 acres, is chiefly precipitous country, moderately timbered. Proposed scenic reserve, Section 12, Block XI., between North-west Bay and Wilson Bay, is chiefly precipitous ; timber principally birch. Proposed Scenic Reserve, Section o, Block IV., 110 acres, steep country, all birch bush. The two large proposed climatic reserves consist chiefly of rough land exceeding 1,500 ft. in altitude. Poor soil, covered chiefly with birch bush. The eastern one, situated in Blocks I. and V., is an extension of the large climatic reserve in the Gore District, extending south and west from Mount Stokes. Gore Survey District. —The larger Chetwode Island, 600 acres, was leased at £5 per annum for ten years (poster 112). This island is covered with bush for the most part, and the former lessee, a Maori, threw up the lease because he was not allowed to fell the scrub and bush. Section 14, Block X., 161 acres : Edgecombe Point proposed scenic reserve ; rough country, covered with dense scrub. Motu Ngara Island, area about 60 acres : This has been reserved for the protection of the native fauna and flora. Scenic Reserve, Section 2, Block IX., Gore, 152 acres : Rough and precipitous. Scenic Reserve, Section 3, Block XXIV., and Section 4, Block XIII. : Rough, precipitous, and exposed; no landing-place except in very calm weather. Scenic Reserve, Sections 32, Block VI., and 15, Block X., 325 acres : Broken country, on the shady side of the hill. There is a large reserve at Ship Cove, made in memory of its occupation by Captain Cook, which may be classed as a scenic reserve. It contains 2,011 acres ; covered with bush of various kinds. There is splendid anchorage and shelter in Ship Cove, and it was the favourite camping-place of Captain Cook during his visits to Queen Charlotte Sound in 1770 and 1773. This reserve is a choice spot for picnics, &c, as there is level ground for camping, good water, and good landing-place for boats. It is occupied by tourists, &c, every summer. You will observe a large climatic reserve surrounding Mount Stokes. This is the highest hill in the Sounds, being 3,951 ft. above sea-level. I have proposed to extend this reserve on the north, south, east, and west sides by the addition of land not suitable for settlement, being for the most part over 1,500 ft. high, and the land of poor quality. Heringa Survey District. —The eastern portion of the proposed scenic reserve, situated in Blocks I. and 11., Heringa, is at present included in a State forest reserve of 900 acres, but as the timber is not of much commercial value, and the scenery very picturesque, the Land Board resolved to recommend that it be set aside as a scenic reserve. The remaining portion, edged with blue, forms part of the large "national park" that I referred to in my previous memorandum dated 23rd July. There is just a question as to whether a portion of the Tinline Valley should be reserved for future settlement, but we could quite safely make a scenic reserve of all the country south-west of the Heringa Stream. This stream derives its name —which signifies a " tying-up " (of a canoe) —from an interesting Maori legend which describes how, in ancient times, a Maori chief took his canoe up the Pelorus River. The Heringa was the limit to any further navigation, so the stream was so called. The reserves coloured pink on this map are a mile wide. The