7

0.—6

APPENDIX A—continued. Statement of Accounts, etc. — continued. Item 5. — Compensation for Native Lands acquired for Scenery Purposes under the Public Works Act, 1908.

Item 13. — Cost of Surveys, &c., of Scenic Reserves undertaken during Year 1914-15.

APPENDIX B. Report by the Inspector of Scenic Reserves. During the last year my field-work has consisted of inspections of reserves at Kapiti Island, Paraparaumu, Moonshine Valley, Wanganui River, Wilton's Bush, Waiohine Valley, Ashley-Clinton, and Kauri Cully at Northcote. Owing to the necessity for the exercise of economy at the present time, my travelling on scenic matters has had to be restricted ; so I have during the last year been chiefly occupied with office matters, and to a very large extent with afforestation-work ; also some of my time has been taken up with sand-dune reclamation-work, and a special inspection of and report on the Waipoua Kauri Forest. Fires. Considering the abnormally dry season, not much damage from fires was observed. The white-pine reserve near Tokatoka was considerably scorched; and the Natives on the Wanganui River had attempted to destroy some of the reserves on the river-banks, but their attempts have not resulted in serious injury. To revive an interest in the matter, and to remind the public of their liability, notices were on several occasions in the summer put in all the principal newspapers throughout the Dominion, warning people of the penalty for lighting fires or allowing them to spread on the different kinds of State lands. Assistance in stopping this foolish and destructive practice of indiscriminate burning has also been promised by other Departments and some private persons ; so there is reason to hope that it will not be long before an improvement is seen. Native Birds. It is pleasant to be able to state that in the forests visited by me during the year .no decrease was noticed in the number of native birds. Up the Waiohine Valley (which is an interesting and beautiful place that could easily be made accessible to Wellingtonians) bell-birds and tuis are most numerous, as are also fantails, tomtits, and warblers. Pigeons are also fairly numerous. On Kapiti Island sanctuary, as far as can be judged by the eye, the native birds are well, holding their own. Mr. Bennett, the caretaker, says he has seen evidence of the presence of the kiwis that were liberated there two years ago. Endeavours are now being made to obtain for the island specimens of other native birds that are not at present there ; but owing to the difficulty of capturing native birds without damaging them no success has so far been met with. In order to augment the food-supply for the birds on the island seeds of fiinau, tawa, and miro were sent over to the caretaker, and they have been planted in places where they are likely to get established.

Name of Reserve. Particulars of Block, &c. Amount. Mamaku Oliiwaru Waimarino Tongoio Falls Ngatira Hongi's Track Maungamaunu Hangatiki Mokau River Part Okoheriki 2c No. 3 Block Lot 189, Waiotahi Parish Part Waimarino 4b2 Block Part Purahotangihia Block TV, Puketapu Part Whaiti Kuranui 1a Block Part Rotoiti Nos. 6 and 7 Blocks Part Maungamaunu No. 2 . . Part Hauturu E No. 1e, Section 5c, &c. Mangoira Blocks 1 and 2 £ s. d. 52 19 10 29 1 10 6 1 4 6 1 0 799 19 3 3 19 I 503 13 10 36 17 6 1,065 12 0 |£2,504 5 8

Name of Reserve. Particulars of Block, &c. Amount. Otaupea Reserve Wliitianga 2b 13, 14, 15, 16, and Wliitianga No. 1 Block Section 26, &c, Block VI, Hautapu £ s. d. 302 1 11 Valuations, legal expenses, &c. 23 8 7 150 3 10 £475 14 4