9

C.—6

and C. spectabilis were received. A large parcel of seed of pohutukawa was sent by the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Wellington. Most of this seed was sown on the western cliffs while we were hunting for goats. All the species were recorded in my plant-ledger, and then put out in the most suitable places. During the year I have come across several ferns which, so far as I am aware, have not previously been recorded as growing on Kapiti. They are Nothoclaena distans, growing on sunbaked face of hill near Webber's, also at Paripatea ; Lindsaya cuneata, growing in bush near summit; Blechnum pennamarina, growing in open grass country at head of Taepiro clearing : Davallia novae-zelandiae, growing on ridge between Taepiro"and waterfall gully; Asplenium Hookerianum Colensoi, growing in forest. Lycopodium volubile was also located on hill ridge near Taepiro. Besides the planting of trees, other improvements were done. The fence round the flat at Rangatira was finished, and the cow-paddock enclosed. A rock-garden was made by the cottage, and although it is not quite finished it adds much to the appearance of the place. The launch and small dinghy were both repaired, and each of them received three coats of paint. Strenuous attempts were made to exterminate the goats, and we have gradually reduced their numbers until, as far as we know, but one remains. Seventeen were killed-during the year, making a total of 233 destroyed since I took charge of the sanctuary. The destruction of the wild sheep is now the most urgent work, Messrs. Weggery and Co. tried hard to get some away, but were unsuccessful, and eventually gave up the job. Mr. Fletcher, the trapper, is now erecting fences at the South end, and hopes to be able to remove most of them. In the event of his being unable to remove any live sheep he has agreed to shoot them out for the skins, &c. .As some of the sheep were wandering too far north and eating young trees that had been planted, twentynine of them were shot. Wild cats have been thinned out, and it is now some time since one was seen. Nine of these animals were shot or trapped during the year, making a total of twenty-six destroyed since December, 1924. Traps are regularly set for rats, and 133 were caught during the period under review, bringing the total destroyed since I came here to 247. In December last the Advisory Committee paid the usual periodical visit of inspection to the island. Two days were spent looking over the sanctuary, when the party traversed most of the north end between Te Rere and Kaiwharawhara. In July, while on annual leave, I was compelled to enter the Masterton Hospital to undergo an operation. It was nearly three months before I was able to resume my duties. During my absence Mr. Fletcher acted as caretaker. APPENDIX E. Marlborough Scenic Reserves. Practically all the scenic reserves in the district were visited during the year, and I am pleased to report that nearly all are in good order and condition, and that, with the exception of a small portion of the Kaipupu Reserve, all have been kept free from fires. Regarding Kaipupu Reserve, a fire left by some temporary workmen of the County Council burnt some 20 acres of light bush and fern. The attention of the County Council was called to the matter, and more care is promised in future. During the year marked progress has been made in the development of public interest in our reserves by the appointment of a Scenic Board to control the Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve. This beautiful reserve, comprising over 500 acres of virgin bush, is on the main Blenheim-Nelson highway at the junction of the Rai and Pelorus Rivers, and is a popular resort for camping and picnic parties. Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of York lunched and rested there on their journey through to Nelson, and expressed the opinion that it was the most beautiful reserve of its class that they had yet seen in the Dominion. The various local bodies and the Automobile Association were successfully approached during the year for donations towards the cost of erecting improvements, and a number of public conveniences and fireplaces have been erected in suitable positions. These were fully appreciated by the numerous travelling public who visited the reserve during the holiday season. The Scenic Board contemplates further improvements as their funds permit. The various reserves in the Sounds County attracted a large number of picnic and camping parties, and I am pleased to report that the public show their appreciation of their privileges by keeping the reserves in a tidy condition by disposing of their rubbish and camp-litter. The development of the three large reserves —Kumutoto, Ship Cove, and Tennyson Inlet—will be a matter for consideration in the near future, since they are visited annually by ever-increasing numbers. The question of providing public conveniences and fireplaces in the principal bays fronting these reserves, and cutting foot-tracks to enable the public to traverse the beautiful bush, will be gone into. At present it is practically impossible to make one's way through the bush, owing to the luxuriant undergrowth.

2—C. 6.