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1915. NE W ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY: SCENERY-PRESERVATION. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1915: 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 of the Scenery Preservation Act, 1908

Sir, — Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, Ist June, 1915. I have the honour to submit herewith report on scenery-preservation for the twelve months ended the 31st March, 1915. Regarding the question of scenery-preservation generally in this my last annual report, I would like to impress upon all concerned the necessity, wherever opportunity offers, of securing while they exist as many as possible of the few remaining beauty spots of the Dominion, if for nothing else than preserving for the generations who follow a few samples of the primeval scenery that existed in the country at the advent of European occupation. Much has and is being done by willing helpers, and the State has given liberal encouragement financially and otherwise, but, notwithstanding this, more assistance would be welcomed. I have, &c, James Mackenzie, The Right Hon. W. F. Massey, P.C., Under-Secretary for Lands. Minister in Charge of Scenery-preservation.

RE POET. In accordance with, the provisions of the Scenery Preservation Act, 1908, the question of scenery-pre-servation has been kept steadily in view, and, when a suitable opportunity offered, areas of land, whether Crown or private, were set apart under the Act. During the twelve months ended 31st March, 1915, sixty-seven reserves, of a total area of 60,303 acres, were so set apart; but the reservation was cancelled over areas totalling 638 acres previously proclaimed, but, through destruction of the forest thereon, proved to be unsuitable for permanent reservation. The net area reserved, therefore, together with that set apart up to the end of March, 1914, now amounts to 430 reserves, of a total area of 274,061 acres.

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