C—6

Session 11. 1918. NEW ZEALAND

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY: SCENERY-PRESERVATION. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1918; TOGETHER WITH STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS AND SCHEDULE OF LANDS ACQUIRED AND RESERVED DURING THE YEAR UNDER THE SCENERY PRESERVATION ACT.

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, 1918. T have the honour to submit herewith report on scenery-preservation for the twelve months ended the 31st March, 1918. I have, &c, T. N. Brodrick, The Hon. Sir F. H. D. Bell, K.C.M.G., K.C. Under-Secretary for Lands. Acting Minister in Charge of Scenery-preservation. .

EEPOET. As stated in last year's report, the operations under the Act have been circumscribed on account of the abnormal conditions occasioned by the war, and very little expenditure of funds has taken place. There have, however, been several reservations of Crown land, which have added to the attractiveness of the scenic reserves of the Dominion. Reservations. In the Auckland District an area of 92 acres on the Waima River, near Donnelly's Crossing, was proclaimed under the Act, and forms an adjunct to the Waipoua State Forest. It contains a pretty piece of mixed bush, composed principally of tawa, kauri, rimu, kahikatoa, and totara. In the Taranaki District an area of about 3,000 acres was proclaimed. It extended for a distance of about ten miles along the left bank of the Tangarakau River, being about half-way between the townships of Ohura and Whangamomona. It is extremely broken country, and the permanent reservation of the forest is desirable to prevent serious erosion, as well as to preserve the scenery. Where the reserve abuts on to the Tangarakau River there are very high papa and sandstone cliffs, from which steep beech-clad spurs and deep gullies rise rapidly to a height of over 1,000 ft. to the main ridge to the south. The Tangarakau Gorge has been described as the finest in the North Island, and as the railway from Stratford to the Main Trunk line has been laid out on this route future travellers will be able to enjoy the very fine scenery that will be, preserved in this locality. A 10-acre area in the suburbs of Aria Township has also been set aside, and will form a great attraction to the residents there. In the Wellington District areas comprising about 200 acres not far from Taihape were similarly reserved, and will prove a valuable addition to the scenic reserves already in that locality. Near Rangataua an area of 197 acres lying between the Mangaehuehu Stream and the township was reserved. The land carries a forest growth composed mainly of red, black, and silver beech, a few rimus, and numerous small trees and shrubs. In places there arc small areas carrying only shrubs and young beech-trees ; but if stock are kept out the whole area will soon, be regenerated with beech, and it will then form a permanent protection to the township from the southerly winds, and at the same time be a pleasant resort for the residents.. In the Nelson District the chief reservation was an area of 16,000 acres, comprising the famous Gouland Downs, situated at the headwaters of the Aorere and Big Rivers. This land is a great resort and breeding-place of wekas, kiwis, kakapos, and other native birds. The kiwis are numerous and are particularly interesting, the species being Apteryx Haaslii, commonly known as the