C.-6

1909. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS: SCENERY-PRESERVATION. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1909; TOGETHER WITH STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS AND SCHEDULE OF LANDS ACQUIRED AND RESERVED DURING THE YEAR UNDER THE SCENERY PRESERVATION ACTS.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly pursuant to Section 17 oj " The Scenery Preservation Act, 1908."

Sir, — Department of Lands, Wellington, 14th June, 1.909. I have the honour to submit herewith report on scenery-preservation for the twelve months ended the 31st March, 1909. I have &c, William C. Kensington, The Hon. Thomas Mackenzie, Under-Secretary for Lands. Minister in Charge of Scenery-preservation.

REPORT. During the twelve months'ended 31st March, 1909, there has not been any marked activity in the way of scenery-preservation, but steady and consistent progress has been made in the direction of acquiring and proclaiming areas of attractive forest lands when such are not needed for settlement, are well suited for scenery-preservation, and can be secured at a reasonable cost. Although several suitable areas are under survey, and have in some cases been " taken " under the Public Works Act, the final steps have not been taken except in a few cases. Reservations during the Year. Up to the 31st March, 1908, a total area of 33,931 acres had been acquired, the greater portion of this being Crown lands gazetted for scenic purposes under the Act, and the balance being private freehold and Native lands. During the year just ended a further area of 5,045 acres has been similarly proclaimed under the Act, and details are set forth in Appendix A, wherein are shown the location of each section and its area. The principal reserves so acquired are the beautiful Kumutoto Bay, in Queen Charlotte Sound, close to Picton, which was purchased from the Native owners ; the Waro limestone rocks, near Hikurangi, North Auckland ; and a beautiful little strip of Native bush along the South Wairoa River bank near Hunua, twenty miles south of Auckland. The other areas reserved are also very picturesque, and form a valuable addition to the existing scenic reserves of the Dominion. In order to secure protection over the lands that have been proclaimed scenic reserves under the Land Act, legislation should be passed bringing them under the Scenery Preservation Act. It is also desirable that Native lands taken for scenery-preservation purposes under the Public Works Act should be brought under the Scenery Preservation Act in the same manner.

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