a—6

8

Statement of Accounts, showing the Amounts expended, and the Purposes to which the Moneys so expended have been applied, for the Year ended the 31st March, 1908. Purpose to which applied. Amounts * expanded. Purchase of land (private land),— £ s. d. Ratapihipihi Bush (Native Reserve 5, Block VIII, Paritutu Survey District) ... 490 0 0 Kawau Pa, Taranaki ... ... ... ... 12 13 2 Pipinui Bush (Sections 4, 5, Block XI, Makuri) ... 12 0 0 (Section 4, Block XI, Makuri) 134 5 0 Mount Cargill, Dunedin ... ... ... 20 0 0 Water of Leith Valley, Dunedin ... ... ... ... 312 0 0 Kauri Gully, Northcote, Auckland (£5O also contributed by residents) . 350 0 0 Ruakuri Caves, Orahiri Survey District, Auckland (.£9B also contributed by Tourist Department) ... ... ... ... ... ... 106 10 0 Kennedy's Bush, Christchurch (£167 lis. 6d. also contributed by residents) 170 0 0 Meeting of the Waters, New Plymouth ... ... ... 150 0 0 Tongoio Falls, near Napier ... ... ... ... ... 180 10 0 Brunswick Bush (Sections 134-35, 188, and 229, Block 11, Westmere Survey District), Wanganui ... ... ... ... ... ... 250 0 0 Waiora Hot Springs (Section 67, Block VIII, Katikati Survey District) ... 250 0 0 Pourakino River banks (part Section 18, Block V, Jacob's River Hundred), Southland ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 105 0 0 Otoki Gorge (Sections i), 10, Block XII, Hawera Survey District) 350 0 0 Makohine Gorge (Pawerawera Block) ... ... 200 0 0 (Block XVI, Tiriraukawa Survey Distric 96 7 3 Wilton's Bush, Wellington ... ... ... ... ... ... 171 2 6 3,360 7 11 Purchase of land (Native land), — Wilton's Bush, Otari Native Reserve (£441 also contributed by Wellington City Council) '.. ... ... ... ... ... ... 461 12 1 Meeting of the Waters, New Plymouth (Native Reserve L, Block X, Paritutu Survey District) ... ... ... ... ... ... 76 4 5 Aorangiwai Mountain, Poverty Bay (Aorangiwai No. 1a Block) 175 0 0 Okoki Pa (Section 24, Block IV, Waitara Survey District) ... ... 212 10 0 4,285 14 5 Administration (including fencing) ... ... 381 18 5 Board's expenses (holding of meetings, &c.) . ... . 86 10 8 Inspector (six months), £150; Secretary, £25 ... 175 0 0 Miscellaneous (surveys, valuations', &c.) ... ... ... ... 555 3 7 Total ... ... ... ... . ... ... £5,484 7 1

APPENDIX B. Report on Scenic Reserves, 1907-8. I started my work in October by an inspection of the scenic reserves in the Canterbury District. Most of these reserves are of old date, and the chief reason for their reservation appears to have been that the land was too poor and broken to be sold at that time for farming purposes, for nothing seems to have been done to preserve the bush from the depredations of man and beast. In some instances the settlers have cut out the good timber for fencing and bridge-building; in some instances parts of the bush have been Celled and the land grassed; and in nearly all instances the reserves have been used as winter runs for the local farmers' stock. In the Banks Peninsula some of the reserves still have their original bush in a fair state of preservation, and it is highly desirable that these should be fenced off before they are damaged. Some isolated small ones, however, are so damaged that they are no longer of value from the scenic point of view, and these should be disposed of, or set apart for some other purpose and leased till required. Dunedin is fortunate in having three large reserves within a few miles of the city. Flagstaff Hill is practically without any bush, and is of interest only from the fact that from it is obtainable a fine view of the city and environs. Signal Hill and Mount Cargill reserves contain some nice patches of bush, and are well worth preservation, but they require fencing and clearing of noxious weeds and pests. As previously stated in my reports, I would suggest that the reserves in the immediate vicinity of the city should be handed over to the care of a board of local persons interested in the preservation of scenery, and having the Commissioner for the district as chairman. The reserves in the country districts are generally very well preserved, and especially is this the case with those in the Callin's River district, which contain large areas of some beautiful and diversified bush. I must restate my opinion that the sold sections of the Papatowai Township should he resumed, as otherwise, when they are cleared and burnt off, the reserve will be much damaged. As milling operations have started in this district, a strict watch should be kept to prevent encroachment on the reservi