C—6

3

Otaihape Stream are clothed in forest, which not only protect the streams in question and the surrounding country, but will undoubtedly attract to the town an increasingly large proportion of visitors each year. In this case alone the two or three hundred acres of bush, so long as it is kept intact, may be valued at £100,000 ; but should it be destroyed and the land denuded of forest covering, the damage done to the streams and the surrounding country would be very great indeed. It is hoped, therefore, that local bodies and settlers throughout the Dominion may realize more and more how advisable it is to maintain scenic reserves in suitable positions as much in a state of nature as possible, and future generations will undoubtedly bless their efforts in this direction. Scenery Preservation Board. Durirg the year the Scenery Preservation Board has held six meetings, all in Wellington, and has endeavoured to make recommendations on the matters submitted to it as far as possible in the joint interests of settlement and forest-preservation. Fencing. One of the questions that is becoming every day more pressing is the need of adequate fencing around many of the best scenic reserves, in order that, as the surrounding country becomes more and more settled, the stock of the settlers cannot inadvertently trespass upon and damage the reserves. Weeds. v The growth of noxious weeds has been kept down to a very satisfactory extent, and the Inspector of Scenic Reserves makes periodical visits to each district to ensure that the lands remain in a satisfactory condition. New Waterfall. During November, 1912, Mr. J. P. Larkin, Assistant Surveyor in the Department, visited a very fine waterfall the existence of which had been previously known but which had not hitherto been reached. It is known as the Rerepahupahu Fall, and is situated in the Ohura County (Waro Survey District), on the Waitaanga Stream. Its height is estimated to be 280 ft., the aneroid height of the bottom of the fall being 925 ft., and the river at top 1,225 ft.; the tops of the wall or cliff surrounding the fall is 1,525 ft. At the bottom of the fall is a lake about If acres in extent. The volume of water coming over the falls varies greatly according to the season of the year. At present the access to the fall is very difficult. General. In conclusion, it may be stated that officers of the Department, and Government officers generally, appear to take a keen and intelligent interest in the question of scenic preservation, and it is most satisfactory to relate that local bodies and settlers generally appear more and more disposed to co-operate with the Government so far as is practicable in this respect. Appendices. Attached to the report are the following appendices : — (A.) Schedule of reserves made during the year, accompanied by statement of accounts. (B.) (1.) Report of the Inspector of Scenic Reserves. (2.) Report of the Honorary Ranger, Pelorus Sound. (3.) Report of the Caretaker in Queen Charlotte Sound. (C.) (1.) Report of the Scenery Preservation Board. (2.) Report of the Kennedy's Bush Scenic Board. (3.) Report of the Summit Road Scenic Board.