C.—6.

1924. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY. SCENERY-PRESERVATION. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1924, 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, sth June, 1924. I have the honour to submit herewith report on scenery-preservation for the twelve months ended 31st March, 1924. I have, &c, J. B. Thompson, Under-Secretary for Lands. The Hon. D. H. Guthrie, Minister in Charge of Scenery-preservation, Wellington.

REPOE T. Some very good work was accomplished during the year in reserving areas of Crown lands for scenic purposes. In the Auckland Land District 59 acres of beautiful bush lying between Lake Rotoiti and Hongi track wore acquired from the Native owners by negotiation and added to the existing scenic reservations around the lake. The control of these reserves is in the hands of a local Scenic Board, comtjosed of member's of the Native race belonging to Ngati-pikiao Hapu. A few small areas around the shores of Kawhia Harbour were also sot apart under the Act, and will preserve the fascinating scenery of this land-locked harbour. In. the Hawke's Bay Land District an area of bush land on the banks of the Tongoio Stream, above the falls, was proclaimed for scenic purposes. In the Taranaki District extensive reservations were made of land on the Wanganui River bank above Pipiriki, embracing the beautiful Papakino Roach, the Ngaporo Rapids, and other phases of magnificent scenery on the upper reaches of the Wanganui River. In this manner areas aggregating 4,000 acres of forest-clad land have been proclaimed for permanent reservation. In the Wellington Land District areas on the Wellington side of the Wanganui River have been similarly reserved, and have added another 3,000 acres to the existing reservations. There is no doubt that in the years to come these reserves will be amongst the most attractive in the Dominion, and will continue as splendid specimens of our unique scenery. In addition a few scattered areas in other parts of the district were also set apart for the benefit of the residents of the localities concerned. In the Nelson Land District a small area at Mount Balloon, comprising 40 acres, was sot apart for the convenience of travellers, &c, and a fine area of about 800 acres on the Porarari River bank, near Brighton, was proclaimed under the Act, as well as some areas at Stockton ; all these various scenic resorts being covered with native bush. In, the Marlborough Land District an area of 143 acres at Yncyca Bay was cut off from a farmer's holding and reserved for scenic purposes, the land being unsuitable for farming operations ; whilst some of the finest scenery which surrounds Tennyson Inlet, in the Marlborough Sounds, was proclaimed under the Scenery Preservation Act, having been withdrawn from occupation by landless Natives, who were duly compensated therefor. This lovely stretch of scenery is very beautiful, and can be fairly easily reached, and is undoubtedly one of the greatest scenic attractions in the Dominion. In the Canterbury Land District an area at Kaituna Valley was proclaimed for scenic purposes, and will be much appreciated by the residents in the locality. Although the scenic reservation was revoked over 33 acres of land during the year, there now exist no loss than 749 separate scenic reserves, with an aggregate area of 444,924 acres ; and it may safely be said that the beauty of the scenery comprised in these reserves is unsurpassed throughout