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desirable ; whilst in the majority of oases negotiations are being conducted with a view to definitely ascertaining the exact cost and area of the places worth acquiring before a final decision is arrived at in the matter Many of such recommendations have unavoidably to be held over for the present through many reasons, such as the lands being held under lease, and when they are suffering no injury meanwhile it is considered judicious to await the termination of such lease or title before setting the lands apart; several areas being included in pastoral runs, which are not capable of resumption under the Land Act are also in this category, and in other cases the prospects of the land being better suited tor settlement, mining, and suchlike purposes, have to be carefully considered before it is decided to reserve the land for scenery-preservation. Thus it will be seen that though consideration ol the Commissioners' proposals may have been held over, it does not follow that no action will eventually be taken, but only that at the present time it is injudicious to attempt to deal with the land as recommended. It has also happened that the proposed reserve has already been set apart for other purposes and special legislation is required to effect any change. Besides recommending the detailed areas set forth in the list the Commissioners have inspected lands in all parts of the colony, and collected valuable information to enable their successors to deal with suggestions for reserving same A number ot proposals from residents and others interested in the matter have been received and will t>e dealt with shortly, and with the assistance of the various Commissioners of Crown Lands full reports will be obtained and the matters dealt with by the new Commission to be appointed to administer the Act During the last twelve months the Commissioners held meetings at Queenstown (April), Wellington (9th June)! Palmerston North (12th, 13th, and 14th October), Napier (25th Taupo (2nd November), Rotorua (11th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, and 18th November), again at Rotorua (22nd November , New Plymouth (16th, 17th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, and 24th February), whilst m addition the several Commissioners visited and inspected places of scenic or historical interest m the following localities and districts : North of Auckland-Swanston, Dargaville, Tangitororia Hokianga, Rawene,Mangonui, Whangarei; South of Auckland-Taupo, Tokaanu, Wairakei Orakei-Korako, Waiotapu Te Teko, Maketu, Matata, Opotiki, Whakatane, Te Puke, Kati Kati, Athenree, Tauranga, Waihi Thames, Te Kaha, Kawhia, Hangatiki, Te Kuiti, Okoroire ; Hawke s Bay-around Napier, Taradale, Hastings, Porangahau, Dannevirke, Woodville, Pohui, Tarawera, Makaretu, Waipukurau, Ormondville ; Taranaki-around New Plymouth, Waitara, Waitotara, Hawera ; Wellington-Trentham, Featherston Greytown North, Masterton, Mauriceville, Bketahuna, Pahiatua, Palmerston, Ohmgaiti, Mangaweka, Utiku, Waikanae, Levin, Paraparaumu, Wanganui; Marlborough-many localities; Westland-many localities; Canterbury-Puketeraki Range, Raincliff, Dipton, Kmloch, Akaroa, Riccarton ; Otago-Wakatipu, Paradise, Mount Earnslaw, Dart River, Routeburn Valley, beacliti, Evansdale Gorge, Hampden, Humbolt Range ; Southland—Kingston. During the term of the Commission the administrative work has heen performed by the Department of Tourist and Health Resorts, but upon the conclusion of its labours all the duties appertaining to scenery-preservation have reverted to the Department of Lands. It must not be overlooked that this latter Department has for many years been steadily reserving large areas of ( Crown lands in every part of the colony for scenery-preservation, under the powers conferred by lhe Land Act, 1892 "and for the year ended 31st March, 1906, nearly 3,000 acres were set apart for scenic reserves under the provisions of this Act, whilst large areas of Crown lands covered with forests have been reserved for the growth and preservation of timber, State forests, &c. Details of these are given in the annual report of the Department.

Schedule A.—Showing the Lands acquired under "The Scenery Preservation Act, 1903,' during the year 1905-6, and paid for in Full.

• Includes payment for 142 aces 3 roods 29 pereihes acquired the previous year.

District. Area. Recommendation No. Price paid. Locality. Hawke's Bay Land District. A R p Lindsay Settlement | Section 18, Block XIV, Waipukurau ... | 22 0 32 | 194 I £ a. d. 310 16 0 Taranaki Land District. Turuturumokai Pa | Part Section 143, Block VI, Hawera ... | 14 1 17 | 144 I 358 18 0 Canterbury Land District. Raincliff Bush ... Part Rural Section 7554, Block IX, 62 0 35 Opihi 62 497 15 0 Otago Land District. Bailey's, Flagstaff Part Section 2 of 35, Dunedin and East 24 3 35 Hill, Dunedin Taieri 169 *20o 17 2 Southland Land District. Edendale Settle- Sections 134k and 135e ... ... 205 2 0 men ToUi e s 8tln) .. ' ■■■■ 329 039 219 1,335 15 0 2,710 1 2 329 0 39 2,710 1 2