3

C—6.

not be desired to take from the owner. In order to ascertain what action is desirable in New Zealand the various Commissioners of Crown Lands were communicated with, and they have all supplied interesting reports which are now under consideration. Accounts have at various times been written relating the principal events connected with the past history of several of these reserves, and it is proposed later on to publish these accounts as a bulletin or in some other convenient form. It may be stated that many of the reserves already made under the Scenery Preservation Act have been made mainly or largely on account of their association with the early history of New Zealand. These include— (1.) Cook's Cove (Pelorus Sound), where the famous navigator Captain Cook stayed for some time, and to whom a monument was erected in. February, 1913. (2.) Rangiriri Pa, on the banks of the Waikato River, where in 1863 a battle was fought between the Maoris and British, the latter losing six officers and forty men. (3.) Pukerangiora Pa, on the Waitara River (Taranaki Land District), was noted as a Maori stronghold and underwent several famous sieges. (4.) Horahora-kakahu Pa, at Port Underwood, in Marlborough. It was at this pa on the 17th June, 1840, that British sovereignty over the South. Island of New Zealand was proclaimed by Major Bunbury, of the 80th Regiment, and Captain Nais, of H.M.S. " Herald." (5.) Hongi's Track lies between Lakes Rotoiti and Rotorua, and, in addition to containing magnificent forest, it is of historical interest, as it was originally opened up by the redoubtable northern Maori warrior Hongi Hika in his attack on the Rotorua Maoris in May, .1.823. (6.) Ruapekapeka Pa is a few miles south of Kawakawa, at the Bay of Islands. In the preEuropean days this place was noted as a stronghold, and it is said to have been the last pa used in connection with Maori intertribal warfare. The place was besieged and taken by British troops in the early colonial days, and bullets and fragments of cannonshell are still to be found round the pa. (7.) Molukoraka Island, near Otahuhu--old pa of Ngatipoa. (8.) Te Kawau Pa and island on Taranaki coast. (9.) Turuturumokai Pa, near Hawera. (10.) Puketi Pa, New Plymouth. (11.) Tataraimaka Pa, near Oakura, Taranaki. (12.) Mangapohue Natural Bridge and Marakopa Natural Tunnel, south of Kawhia Harbour. The matter of adequate preservation of the most important historical monuments not already acquired is now under the consideration of the Government. Expenditure. Tins expenditure during the year was smaller than it has been since the passing of the Act, only £1,537 having been spent, out of which the cost of acquisition of lands amounted to £428. 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 £86,571 has now been expended. As was the case during the preceding twelve months, every care was taken to curtail expenditure.

Comparison of Expenditure.

Appendices. • Attached to this report are the following appendices :— A. Schedule of reserves made during the year, accompanied by a statement of accounts. B. Report of the Inspector of Scenic Reserves. C. Report of the Scenery Preservation Board, and local Scenic Boards.

v Compensation Yoar - for Land. Fencing and Surveys, Maintenance. Valuations, &e. Surveys, Valuations, &e. Board's Expenses. Salaries. Total. !_ £ 1904-5 .. 216 1905-6 .. .. 3,336 1906-7 7,856 1907-8 .. . .-. 4,286 1908-9 .. .. 3,813 1909-10 .. .. 1,-688 1910-11 .. .. 1,066 1911-12 .. .. 2,619 1912 13 .. .. 12,997 1913-14 .. .. 10,467 1914-15 .. .. 6,253 1915-16 .. .. 1,530 1916-17 .. .. 252 1917-18 .. .. 428 £ £ Nil 52 527 301 801 382 555 1,063 540 1,159 2,603 685 1,613 715 2,237 798 2,697 627 1,547 758 476 698 104 836 76 602 114 £ 1,822 1,221 185 86 24 Nil 11 22 6 3 12 6 1 3 £ * * * 175 325 325 325 345 345 365 388 390 390 390 £ 2,090 5,084 9,110 5,484 5,765 5,775 3,730 5,938 16,843 13,009 7,887 2,728 1,555 1,537 Grand total 86,571 * Included in Board's expenses.