SCENIC RESERVES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 239, 9 October 1935, Page 10

SCENIC RESERVES.

AREAS PROCLAIMED.

WAIOTAPU POSSIBILITIES.

TROUNSON KAURI PARK,

(By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.)

WELLINGTON, this day.

Proclamations issued during the year setting apart land as scenic and historic reserves under tho Scenery Preservation Act covered an area of 2027 acres, states the annual report on scenery preservation as presented to Parliament.

In 1933 the Waiotapu scenic reserve, Auckland ■ land district, was brought under the operation of the Tourist and Health Resorts Control Act and the conj trol of the reserve was vested in the Minister in charge of tourist resorts. A special inspection of the reserve and surrounding country was made that year when it was found that the reserve did not by any means contain the most important thermal features of the locality and that an extension of its boundaries was desirable. A survey was later carried out and the necessary reservations made to embrace the principal thermal features. The reservations included an area of five acres, being portion of Echo (or Blue) Lake, which had been left as Crown land when the original scenic reserve was set apart, an area of 142 acres of Crown land to the south of Champagne Pool, containing lagoons, a sulphur spring and a very remarkable and extensive terrace forming from the outlet of the Champagne Pool, and an area of 215 acres of Crown land lying to the north of 'the original reserve, containing the Lady Knox geyser, the spout bath and other features. An area of approximately 27 acres of the Waiotapu plantation, lying between Hickey's Boad and the Weir's Road and containing the Venus Bath and other thermal features of interest was also dealt with, special legislation being I provided to change the status of this area from a State forest to a scenic reserve. The reserves will be developed for sightseeing by the Tourist Department and it is considered that Waiotapu has a most promising future as a tourist resort. Trounson Kauri Park maintains its popularity and continues to attract large numbers of visitors. Arrangements have been made to regenerate a growth of kauri on the area which was damaged by gales which occurred in July, 1933. Young kauris from other parts of the reserve are being planted and a shelter belt of Norfolk Island pines is to be planted near the outskirts of the area, which is most affected by heavy winds. It is estimated that over 2000 people visited the Cape Kidnappers' bird sanctuary on the east coast during the season.