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ANNUAL KEPOBTS OF DOMAIN BOAKDS. The Under-Secretary for Lands to the Right Hon. the Minister op Sir, — Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, 1914. I have the honour to transmit herewith a synopsis of the annual reports of the Domain Boards for the year ended 31st December, 1913, which have been furnished in accordance with section 45 of the Public Reserves and Domains Act, 1913. The domains are administered by local Boards for the benefit of the public, and it is gratifying to note from the reports received that the keen interest in the reserves reported by my predecessor last year is being maintained in the majority of cases, and that the areas are generally being gradually improved for the purposes of recreation, and embellished where necessary by plantations of trees and shrubs, while native bush and scenery is being conserved. It is within and near the centres of population that domains show most improvement, and where the public appreciation of these important reserves is made more evident. Where little or no progress is made it is owing to lack of funds, or to the fact that the domains are situated in thinly populated districts and are not yet urgently required for purposes of recreation. The wisdom of setting aside these reserves in advance of settlement is apparent, as otherwise when the population arrives the natural desire of our youth for outdoor games and recreation compels the acquisition of suitable areas at often excessive cost. There are at the present time 547 domains, comprising 83,494 acres. Eighteen new domains were constituted during the year. The reservation over Manuherikia Domain, Otago Land District; containing 97 acres, was removed by section 82 of the Reserves and other Lands Disposal and Public Bodies Empowering Act, 1913, and the area declared Crown land. Waiopehu Domain, near Levin, containing 16| acres, was converted into a scenic reserve under the Scenery Preservation Act, 1908. The Boards controlling the undermentioned domains have failed to report, and inquiries are being made as to the cause of default. Auckland Land District. Hukerenui.—Sections Nos. 51 and 53, Block VI, Hukerenui Survey District. Area. 24 acres. Kororareka. —Section No. 5, Block I, Town of Russell. Area, 7 acres 1 rood 30 perches. Mackaytown. —Sections Nos. 1 and 2, Block VII, Town of Mackaytown. Area, 15 acres 1 rood 14 perches. Parnell.—Allotments Nos. 89 of Section No. 1, 34 of Section No. 4, 5a of Section No. 14, and part of Lot No. 23 of Section No. 2, Suburbs of Auckland. Area, 13 acres and 7 perches. Taupiri.—Sections Nos. 78 to 87, Town of Taupiri. Area, 4 acres 2 roods 38 perches. Taupiri Mountain. —Section No. 481, Taupiri Parish. Area, 162 acres 2 roods. Te Kuiti. —Sections Nos. 29, 30, and 31, Block 111, Otanake Survey District. Area, 6 acres 1 rood 38 perches. Hawke's Bat Land District. Otoko.—Section No. 28, Block I, Waikohu Survey District. Area, 12 acres 2 roods. Board appointed, Ist September, 1913. Wellington Land District. Kohinui. —Section No. 23c, Block I, Makuri Survey District. Area, 10 acres. Mataroa. —Sections Nos. Ito 6 and 16, Suburbs of Mataroa. Area, 10 acres 2 roods 10 j)erches. Taihape Oval. —Block X, Township of Taihape. Area, 9 acres 3 roods 24 perches. Westland Land District. Nelson Creek. —Section No. 25, Block VIII, Mawheranui Survey District. Area, 49 acres 3 roods 18 perches. Paroa. —Reserve No. 1061, Block XVI, Greymouth Survey District. Area, 3 acres and 6 perches. Rimu. —Section No. 356, Block V, Kanieri Survey District. Area, 5 acres and 19 perches. Canterbury Land District. New Brighton. —Reserve No. 3061, Christchurch Survey District. Area, 8 acres and 17 perches. Papanui.—Part of Rural .Section No. 5, Block VII, Christchurch Survey District. Area, 6 acres 2 roods 25 perches. Otago Land District. Kelso.—Sections Nos. 13 to 17, Block 111, Town of Kelso. Area, 11 acres 2 roods 15 perches. Kurow.—Allotment No. 2a of subdivision of parts of Sections Nos. 5 and 14, Block I, and 10 and 11, Block IV, Kurow Survey District. Area, 12 acres 1 rood 13"8 perohes. Lauder. —Section No. 2, Block 111, Lauder Survey District. Area, 200 acres. Ranfurly Park. —Suburban Sections Nos. 7 and 8, Block I, Town of Ranfurly - Area, 52 acres and 31 perches.