0.—6

2

Wanganui River Reserves Commission. A matter of interest in connection with the subject of scenery-preservation was the setting-up of a Commission at the desire of the Natives to investigate and report upon the Wanganui River scenic and other reserves. It consisted of Messrs. T. A. Duncan, of Hunterville (Chairman), E, Phillips Turner, F.R.G.S. (Inspector of Scenic Reserves), and Hikaka Takirau, of Oeo, Taranaki, with Mr. S. Gambril] as secretary. The Commission viewed the whole of the reserves from the mouth of the river to Taumarunui, and met the Natives and other interested persons at various places to take evidence so as to enable all owners of land affected to state their views. The report of the Commission, which contains proposals to amend the boundaries of many of the reserves, is now receiving the consideration of the Government, and no doubt if the recommendations of the Commission are carried out the objections raised by the Natives will be largely removed. Inspection op Scenic: Reserves. Wherever possible honorary Inspectors are being appointed to look after reserves in their locality, so as to prevent the lighting of fires and other acts leading to destruction of the bush and scenery. It is often difficult to find suitable men with sufficient interest in the question of preserving the scenery of this Dominion to undertake the duties. It is, however, pleasant to be able to place on record the names of the following gentlemen who have kindly undertaken to accepf duties as honorary Inspectors, and have been appointed by His Excellency the Governor to such positions: Arthur Hunt (Paraparaunm Reserve); D. S. Hingston (Awahuri Road Reserve, Feilding; J. D. Henderson (Kenepuru Sound reserves); Fredrick Archer, jun. (Tennyson Inlet reserves); 11. C. Christian (Pelorus Sound, Yncyca, and North-west Ray reserves); Norman Christie (Ohakune scenic reserves); W. T. Webber (DTlrville Island reserves); William Coboldick (Ngongotaha Mountain, h'otorua); Richard Casey (Claremont Settlement Reserve, Canterbury)'. It is hoped that the services of other gentlemen will be secured from time to time to undertake similar duties over reserves in other parts of the Dominion. In addition to these gentlemen Scenic Hoards exercise supervision over reserves in many localities, such as Summit Road (Christchurch), New Plymouth, <fee., the reports of such Boards appearing in Appendix 0. Expenditure. The expenditure during the year was smaller than it has been since the passing of the Act, only £1,555 having been spent, out of which the acquisition of lands amounted to £252, and grants to the Summit Road Scenic Board and the erection of caretaker's cottage in the Kaituna Valley amounted to £538. By a reference to the appended table it will be seen that out of the £100,000 authorized to be expended under the Scenery Preservation Act there still remains a balance of £14,966 available for future voting by Parliament. As was the case during the preceding twelve months, every care was taken to curtail every unnecessary expenditure.

Comparison of Expenditure.

Year. Compensation for Land. Fencing and Maintenance. Surveys, Valuations, &c. Board's Expenses. Salaries. Total. 904-5 .905-6 906-7 .907-8 908-9 .909-10 .. .910-11 .. .911-12 .. 912-13 .. .913-14 914-15 .. 915-16 .. .916-17 .. £ 216 3,336 7,856 4,286 3,81.3 1,688 1,066 2,61.9 12,997 10,467 6,253 1,530 252 £ £ £ • £ Nil 52 1,822 * 527 1,221 * 304 801 185 * 382 555 86 175 1,063 540 24 325 1,159 2,603 Nil 325 685 1,643 11. 325 715 2,237 22 345 798 2,697 6 345 627 1,547 3 365 758 476 12 388 698 104 6 390 836 76 1 390 £ 2,090 5,084 9,146 5,484 5,765 5,775 3,730 5,938 16,843 13,009 7,887 2,728 1,555 Grand ti ital .. £85,034 * Included in Board's expenses.