a—6

Supervision of Reserves. During the year local Scenic Boards were appointed or reappointed as follows : Te Kuiti Borough Council, to control portion of the Mangaokewa Gorge Reserve ; Waipukurau Borough Council, to control the Tukituki River Reserve ; Silverstream Scenic Board, to control the Silverstream Reserve in the Hutt Valley ; Nelson City Council, to control the Ururakau Reserve ; Peel Forest Scenic Board, to control the Peel Forest Reserves ; Haehae-te-Moana Scenic Board, to control the Haehae-te-Moana Reserves, Four Peaks ; Papatowai Scenic Board, to control the Papatowai Bush, Tahakopa Beach, and McLennan River Reserves ; and the Southland Electric-power Board, to control the Lake Monowai Reserve. The preservation of scattered scenic reserves is a matter of some anxiety ; but, wherever possible, honorary inspectors are apjiointed, and this policy will be continued. The inspectors are of great assistance to the Department in exercising general supervision and reporting any acts of vandalism that may occur. The State Forest Service has also afforded a great deal of assistance, and thanks are due for its ready co-operation, marked during the year by the appointment of twenty-six forest rangers as honorary inspectors. Other appointments made include those of Messrs. F. Earl, K.C., R. L. Levin, Rahuruhi Pururu, Wiremu Waaka Kameta, Hohopa Maaka, Rangiahua Patenc, Ngataiawhio te Ruahuihui, Whata Karaka, and Te Hikanui Mita as inspectors for the Lake Rotoiti Reserves ; and of W. Chapman, W. H. H. George, J. H. Hornblow, S. W. Marsh, and A. O. Sorenson for various reserves throughout the Dominion. Comparison of Expenditure. It is interesting to note how money raised under the Act has been expended. It will be seen that the cost of administration has been reduced to a very small proportion of the total expenditure.

It must be noted that the above expenditure does not include expenses of raising loans and recoupments of interest, &c. 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 Scenery Preservation Board. C. Kapiti Island.

3

Year. Compensation for Land. Fencing and Surveys, Board's „ , . Maintenance. Valuations, &o. Expenses. Total. 1904-5 .. 1905-6 .. 1906-7 .. 1907-8 .. 1908-9 .. 1909-10 .. 1910-11 .. 1911-12 .. 1912-13 .. 1913-14 .. 1914-15 .. 1915-16 .. 1916-17 .-. 1917-18 .. 1918-19 .. 1919-20 .. 1920-21 .. 1921-22 .. 1922-23 .. £ 216 3,336 7,856 4,286 3,813 1,688 1,066 2,619 12,997 10,467 6,253 1,530 252 428 1,295 510 3,031 57,768 6,306 £ £ £ £ 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 22 315 798 2,697 6 345 627 1,547 3 365 758 476 12 388 698 104 6 390 836 76 1 390 602 114 3 390 1,964| 49 1 280 188 12 .. 40 471 299 .. 25 227 224 .. 25 377 290 .. 25 i £ 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 1,537 3,589 750 2,825 58,244 6,998 I Grand toti ,1 158,977 * Included in Boi ird's expenses. f Includes £1,750 paid to .Summit Road Scenic Reservi 3 Board.