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when they contributed £500 towards the purchase of Wilton's Bush in 1907. The magnificent scenic reserve adjoining Mamaku Railway-station, near Rotorua, was also completed by the acquisition of an area of Native land, and now forms a most picturesque sight, well worthy of a visit. In Taranaki the Pukerangiora and Te Arei Pa sites were acquired and reserved* and several scattered areas of Crown land. In Hawke's Bay a scenic reserve was acquired in close proximity to the Borough of Dannevirke, whilst areas of Crown land were also proclaimed in various parts of the land district. In the Wellington District several areas of Native land on the banks of the Wanganui River were taken under the Public Works Act, and much of the beautiful scenery between Wanganui and Pipiriki is now preserved under the Scenery Preservation Act. A reserve was also made in the Whakapapa Gorge, and is easily seen from the North Island Main Trunk Railway line not far from Oio Station. An extension of the Makuri Gorge Scenic Reserve was made by mutual arrangement with the owner of the land acquired. The fine bush-clad Rongokaupo Hill, overlooking Ohakune Railway-station, was acquired by way of exchange, and two areas of Crown land in the vicinity of Ohakune Township were also proclaimed. Several portions of forest land on the Pipiriki-Raetihi Road were taken for scenic purposes, and are known as the Waharangi Scenic Reserves, comprising the best of the scenery along the main road a few miles from Pipiriki. In Marlborough two reserves were made in the Sounds, one being donated by the owner of the land. A separate reference to the gift is made further on. In Nelson District many areas of Crown land were set apart as scenic reserves in different localities, the principal one being in the Maruia district, comprising a rugged hill locally known as " The Sphinx." In Westland nearly 30,000 acres of Crown land were reserved, the consent of the Mining Warden having been obtained where the land was situated in a mining district. They included areas around the lovely lakes of Brunner, Wahapo, Mapourika, and Ryan, parts of the banks of the Arnold, Okarito, Waiho, Mikonui, Waitangi-taona, Waitaha, and Kakapotahi Rivers, land on the Wilberg Range, Mount Te Kinga overlooking Lake Brunner, the Rapahoe Range, and two areas in the vicinity of Greymouth. Nearly all these lands were unsuited for settlement, being rugged and mountainous country, covered with heavy bush, and not well adapted for agricultural purposes. In Canterbury, thanks to the kindness of the Messrs. Morton, five areas of land situated on the Summit Road, winding along the hills between Christchurch and Lyttelton, were reserved for scenic purposes. A fine reserve at the Orari Gorge was also acquired by way of exchange. In Otago a pastoral run of 40,000 acres at the Routeburn Valley, at the head of Lake Wakatipu, was set apart under the Scenery Preservation Act so as to protect the alpine flora in that locality. The land is of comparatively little value from a settlement point of view, and comprises Mounts Somnus, Erebus, and Momus, Conical Hill, and twelve other peaks ranging from 3,000 ft. to over 6,000 ft. in height, whilst the beautiful Lakes Wilson and Harris are included in the area. The pretty Helena Waterfall, in the Woodland district, is now reserved ; a fine bush-covered area in the Catlin's and Warepa district was proclaimed ; the greater part of Ben Lomond ; 30 acres of native bush at Evansdale Glen, near Dunedin ; a further area of forest land on the bank of the Taieri River ; and a picturesque clump of bush close to Diamond Lake, in the Paradise Valley, at the head of Lake Wakatipu, were all added to the list of scenic reserves in the Otago District. In Southland the Invercargill Borough Council contributed to the purchase of beautiful native bush on the bank of the Waihopai River, within a couple of miles from the town. Four acres of Crown land were also set apart under the Act, one of them being at the mouth of the Oreti River, near Invercargill. The year's operations resulted in 94,000 acres being added to the former reservations, which totalled 65,000 acres at the beginning of the year ; but, as the reservation over 400 acres was revoked, the net amount at the close of the fiscal year was just under 160,000 acres, comprised in 262 separate reserves. It will therefore be seen that the year was a record one from a scenic point of view, and has considerably added to the attractions of the Dominion placed under proper protection and care. Donations of Scenic Reserves. During the year two generous donations of land were made to the Government on condition that the areas should be reserved under the Scenery Preservation Act. Mrs. Sara Goodwin Seymour, of Picton, conveyed to the Crown the picturesque Ngakuta Point, in Queen Charlotte Sound, about half-way between Picton and the Grove. The area is 5| acres, and in addition to its scenic attractions the spot is of historic interest, having been an old burying-place of the Natives who formerly lived in the locality. The Messrs. Morten Brothers, of Hornby, gave five areas, totalling 61 acres, situated on the Summit Road, which winds along the Port Hills near Lyttelton. This land was placed under the administration of a Scenic Board, whose members also look after the Kennedy's Bush Scenic Reserve, near Governor's Bay. The donation of land for such a public purpose as scenery-preservation is highly to be commended, and it is hoped that the foregoing examples may be followed by other landholders in various parts of New Zealand. In former years the following gifts were made : — Mrs. Nini Koro, of Masterton, donated 3 acres of land at Pahiatua Hill, and the subsequent owners of the surrounding land (Messrs. Warren Brothers, of Konini) kindly added 2 acres adjoining so as to complete the reservation, on which Native tradition states the Cave of Rongomai is situated. Mr. W. 0. Williams, of Greytown, donated 9 acres of land, on which is situated the Kahutara Bush, Wairarapa, in April, 1906. Mr. C. E. Street, of Taranaki, donated 25 perches in the Paritutu district, being the site of an ambuscade in August, 1854, when Rawiri Waiaua and other loyal Natives were attacked by the Antiselling League under Katatori. The condition of the gift was that the land should be preserved as an historic reserve.