DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY: SCENERY-PRESERVATION. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1914: TOGETHER WITH STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS AND SCHEDULE OF LANDS ACQUIRED AND RESERVED DURING THE YEAR UNDER THE SCENERY PRESERVATION ACTS.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1914 Session I, C-06

C—6.

1914. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY: SCENERY-PRESERVATION. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1914: TOGETHER WITH STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS AND SCHEDULE OF LANDS ACQUIRED AND RESERVED DURING THE YEAR UNDER THE SCENERY PRESERVATION ACTS.

Presetted to both Houses 0/ the General Assembly pursuant to Section 17 of the Scenery Preservation Act, 1908. Sib,— . Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, Ist June, 1914. I have the honour to submit herewith report on scenery-preservation for the twelve months ended the 31st March, 1914. I have, &c, Jas. Mackenzie, The Right Hon. W. F. Massey, Under-Secretary for Lands. Minister in Charge of Scenery-preservation.

EEPOBT. The twelve months ended on the 31st March last proved quiet from a scenery-preservation point of view, only 3,000 acres having been reserved during that period. The areas acquired included some in the Waimarino District, where a few sections in blocks of Crown land subdivided for settlement were reserved for scenic purposes. A small area fronting the Kawhia Harbour was set apart, also a charming piece of forest land adjacent to the Wharerata Post-office, in the Nuhaka District, near Wairoa ; whilst 84 acres of bush land close to the Gisborne-Otoko Railway were also permanently reserved. In the Taranaki District 320 acres of the Koiro Block, on the Wanganui River, were permanently reserved, and in the Marlborough District eleven small areas of beautiful bush in the Maungamaunu Native Reserve were acquired from the Natives and gazetted. These areas are situated on the main Blenheim-Kaikoura Road, and as the scenery in this locality is of a very picturesque description it is very satisfactory that portions of the best of it have at last been secured. In the Ofcago District some small areas on the McLennan River were acquired from leaseholders and set apart, and some 250 acres of beautiful bush land at the headwaters of the Pourapourakino River, near Riverton (Southland), were reserved, completing the scenic reservation on the banks of this river. This brings the total area of scenic reserves in the Dominion to a little over 214,000 acres, comprised in 363 different reserves. It may be well to repeat what has been stated in previous reports that the great bulk of this land is very hilly and unsuitable for settlement purposes, except in very large areas at low rentals ; whilst the retention of land in a state of nature greatly benefits settlement, by assisting to conserve water, protect soil, and prevent denudation ; and from a national point of view it is advantageous to have areas such as are included in these reservations under forest,

I—C. o.

a—6.

2

Day's Bay Bush, Wellington. For.some years past there has been a widespread desire that the native forest on the hills at the back of Day's Bay, in the Wellington Harbour, should be acquired and preserved for all time, the area in question comprising 620 acres, and, as a result of the public campaign, donations from private citizens, supplemented by grants from the Wellington City Council and other local bodies, enabled the scenic areas, as well as the pleasure-grounds adjoining, to be acquired, the Government promising a subsidy of £4,000 out of the total purchase-money of £14,500, of which, as will be seen, the Wellington citizens and local bodies raised £10,500. A special report of the forest area appears in Appendix D of this report. Mokau River Reservation. The Mangoira Nos. 1 and 2 Blocks, comprising a total of 2,950 acres, had been acquired in a previous year under the Scenery Preservation Act, and, as will be seen by reference to the statement of accounts, compensation to the amount of £7,613 was awarded by the Court. Of the total area, the scenic reserves only amounted to 429 acres, but in order to acquire the reserves as economically as possible advantage was taken of the provisions of section 7 of the Scenery Preservation Act, 1908, which authorized the taking of the residue of the land comprised in an existing title ; and the subdivision of the balance of the blocks (about 2,521 acres) is now in progress, so that this latter area may be disposed of under settlement conditions, and the proceeds credited to the scenerypreservation vote. The result will be that most of the compensation awarded will thus be recouped, and the scenic reserves acquired at a smaller amount than would have been the case had they been taken in the usual manner, whilst settlement land is made available to the public. Donations of Land. During the year the Hon. R. H. Rhodes presented an area of 6 acres 3 roods 32 perches (part of R.S. 1403, Cass Peak) to the King as a scenic reserve ; Mr. Allan presented 1 acre and 28 perches (parts of R.S. 1403 and 33748); whilst Mr. R. M. D. Morten donated 26 acres 3 roods 28 perches (parts of R.S. 1183, 33950, arid 33951, Ahuriri Bush). These generous donations are much appreciated, and help to preserve the best portions of the scenery adjoining Summit Road, near Christchurch. Several residents in the valley of the Turakina River have presented to the Government a number of areas of great scenic beauty along the Valley Road. The thanks of the community are due to these gentlemen for their public spirit, notably "Mr. T. A. Duncan, Who gave nearly 160 acres in sixteen portions, and also to Messrs. R. Lilburn, W. K. Morton, W. Duncan, and Leopold Cox, whofaoilitated exchanges and adjustments enabling beautiful spots to be permanently secured for the public benefit. Expenditure. The gross expenditure during the year amounted to £13,011, but as £2 was credited in reduction of previous year's expenditure, the net expenditure was £13,009 13s. lid., as set forth in the statement of accounts appearing in Appendix A. if§ Every care has been taken to expend the funds of the scenery-preservation vote to the utmost advantage, and no land has been recommended for reservation until it has been carefully viewed and reported upon, and every precaution taken that the interests of settlement are not detrimentally affected, but that the land is well worthy of preservation on account of its picturesqueness, and calculated to remain a permanent asset to the scenic beauty of the Dominion.

Comparison of Expenditure.

Year. Compensation Fencing and for Land. Maintenance. Surveys, Valuations, &c. Board's Expenses. Salaries. Total. £ 216 3,336 7,856 4,286 3,813 1,688 1,066 2,619 12,997 10,467 £ Nil £ 52 527 801 555 540 2,603 1,643 2,237 2,697 1,547 £ ■1,822 1,221 185 86 24 Nil 11 22 6 3 £ * £ 2,090 5,084 9,146 5,484 5,765 5,775 3,730 5,938 16,843 13,009 1904-5 .. 1905-6 .. 1906-7 .. 1907-8 .. 1908-9 .. 1909-10 .. 1910-11 .. 1911-12 .. 1912-13 .. 1913-14 .. 304 382 1,063 1,159 685 715 798 627 * * 175 325 325 325 345 345 365 Grand ti ital . . 72,864 * Included in Board's expenses.

3

c.—e

emnnnn ?°T 7 Preservat ! on Act > 1903 , consolidated in the Act of 1908, provided a total sum of £100,000 tor the purposes of the Act. Each year a certain portion of this amount is appropriated bv Parliament and authorized for expenditure. It will therefore be seen that a balance of £27,136 remains a 7o 1 1 a ; oL ' e a PP ro P rlatlonB tmder the Scenery Preservation Act. As already stated, an area of 214,395 acres is reserved under the Act. These lands require periodical inspection, eradication of noxious weeds, fencing, and otherwise attending to, and the annual cost of maintenance and administration is a constant charge upon the vote. General Remarks. Since the passing of the Scenery Preservation Act, 1903, which authorized the acquisition of land tor scenic purposes, although much still remains to be accomplished to complete the reservation of the famous scenery of the Dominion, still it is most encouraging to note that all classes of the community realize the importance of its preservation and the benefits to be derived both from an sesthetic and utilitarian point of view, for it must never be overlooked that farming operations depend to a great extent upon the adequate supply of water in the streams, that the preservation of the headwaters or streams and.nvers under forest is a most considerable factor in their maintenance, whilst the benefit to the climate is well known. The reserves have been administered in an economical manner, and the valuable heritage secured for the present and future inhabitants of New Zealand is paralleled in very few countries, and surpassed in none. 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. Report of the Caretaker of Reserves in Queen Charlotte Sound. -#C.. Report of the Scenery Preservation Board. Report of Kennedy's Bush Scenic Board. Report of Summit Road Scenic Board. D. Report on Wellington scenic reserves.

C.-6

APPENDICES.

APPENDIX A. Reserves made in 1913-14 under the Scenery Preservation Act, 1908, and the Amendment Act, 1910.

4

a 9 =5 Local Name. Description. Area. Date of Proclamation in Gazette. 183 Kawhia Harbour (Kawaroa Gully) Auckland Land District. Part Pirongia West 3b, Section 2e No. 2d, Blocks VI and VII, Kawhia North S.D. A. K. p. 10 3 38 1913. 21 Aug. 336 Taraire Section 5a, Block IV, Kaihu S.D. 12 2 0 1914. 15 Jan. 23 1 38 225 328 Wharerata Otoko Hawke's Bay Land District. Section 2, Block VIII, Nuhaka North S.D. Section 21, Block I, Waikohu S.D. 47 2 28 84 2 0 1913. 17 April. 31 July. 132 0 28 Taranaki Land District. Koiro Block, Part Sub. 1, Block IV, Heao S.D. Koiro Block, Part Sub. 2, Blocks IV and VIII, Heao S.D. Koiro Block. Part Sub. 2, Block VIII, Heao S.D. Koiro Block, Part Sub. 3, Blocks VII and VIII, Heao S.D. 102 1 0 147 1 0 1914. 5 Mar. 5 ,, 36 2 0 5 „ 34 0 36 5 „ 320 0 36 1913. 24 April. 22 May. 22 „ 22 „ 22 „ 22 „ 12 June. 10 July. 10 „ 10 „ 10 „ 10 „ 10 „ 10 „ 10 „ 31 „ 18 Sept. 18 „ 20 Nov. 1914. 5 Mar. 5 „ 12 „ 253 298 299 299 300 301 320 '323 324 324 324 321 208 208 318 322 Paengaroa Hautonu Papapotu Ngataumata Ngamoturiki Rotokahu Tepure River Bank Hutiwai Omatane Manga te Puhi Waewaepa Wellington Land District. Section 32, Block XII, Maungakaretu S.D. Section 9, Block XI, Retaruke S.D. Section 10, Block XII, Retaruke S.D. Section 12, Block XII, Retaruke S.D. Section 13, Block IX, Kaitieke S.D. Section 9, Block XIII, Kaitieke S.D. Section 21, Block XII, Kaitieke S.D. Section 35, Block III, Puketoi S.D. Section 30, Block IV, Hautapu S.D. Section 23, Block IV, Hautapu S.D. Section 18, Block IV 7 , Hautapu S.D. Section 13, Block XII, Kaitieke S.D. Section 35, Block VII, Makuri S.D. Section 55, Block XVI, Makuri S.D. Section 2, Block IV, Rarete S.D. Section 28, Block III, Kaitieke S.D. (Section 6, Block VI, Whirinaki S.D. t Section 7, Block VI, Whirinaki S.D. Block X, Waipakura S.D., Kanihinihi Nos. 1 and 2 Blocks Section 19, Block V, Hautapu S.D. Section 43, Block XII, Apiti S.D. Section 32, Mangaweka South Village Settlement 239 2 0 9 1 0 28 0 0 7 2 20 12 0 0 312 0 0 7 3 30 98 0 22 81 3 8 3 1 12 20 0 23 201 0 0 357 0 0 68 0 0 202 0 36 7 2 36 1 0 0 2 2 0 22 2 30 Popotea Kawatitahi 319 Waipapa Valley 163 Puketarata 339 343 *344 Te Kapua-Makohine Makiekie Stream 60 3 18 105 2 0 8 2 35 1,856 3 30 314 312 313 Horahora-kakahu Pa .. Motu-anauru Island Marlborough Land District. Section 4, Block XVI, Arapawa S.D. Part Section 4, Block XV, Gore S.D. Part Block 2, Maungamaunu Native Reserve (Puhipuhi and Mount Eyffe Survey Districts) — Part Section 2 Part Section 3b Part Section 4 Part Section 4 Part Section 7 Part Section 7 Part Section 1b Part Section lc Part Section 3c Part Section 3b Part Section 3a 3 0 0 62 2 0 1913. 18 Sept. 9 Oct. 20 0 0 12 0 16 26 0 0 8 2 0 7 1 34 33 1 29 23 1 0 5 1 0 52 2 30 7 0 14 31 0 10 4 Dec. 4 „ 4 „ 4 „ 4 „ 4 „ 4 „ 4 „ 4 „ 4 „ 4 „ 292 1 13 * Previous Land ct rei

5

0.—6

APPENDIX A—continued. Reserves made in 1913-14 under the Scenery Preservation Act, 1908, etc.— continued.

Revocation of Reservation.

Summary of Reserves.

•8 a a Local Name. 3.2 to <a C4 Description. Description. Area. Date of Proclamation in Gazette. Otago Land District. A. B. P. 1914. 277 McLennan River 278 .. Section 18, Block XV, Rimu S.D. Section 19, Block XV, Rimu S.D. Section 20, Block XV, Rimu S.D. .. Section 28, Block IX, Woodland S.D. Section 27, Block IX, Woodland S.D. 22 2 8 9 3 4 19 2 4 13 1 10 4 I 38 26 Mar. 26 „ 26 „ 26 „ 26 „ 69 2 24 Southland Land District. 1913. 2.39 Pourapourakino River .. 239 * 2.39 Sections 10, 11, 12, and 13, Paterson S.D. Part Section 1, Block XIX, Jacob's River Hundred Part Section 30, Block V, Jacob's River Hundred Part Section 21, Block V, Jacob's River Hundred Part Section 18, Block V, Jacob's River Hundred Part Section 46, Block III, Jacob's River Hundred Part Section 19, Block V, Jacob's River Hundred Section 58, Block III, Jacob's River Hundred 37 3 35 101 2 19 15 May. 18 Sept. 87 1 10 18 „ 4 3 31 18 „ 35 0 0 18 „ 12 2 3 18 „ 239 15 0 0 2 Oct. 25' 2 16 2 „ 319 3 34 * Previous Land Act reservation.

• a o ®^ a ig Local Name. Description. Area. Date of Proclamation in Gazette. * * 48 and 322 164 Part Section 2, Block XIV, Coromandel S.D. Part Section 1, Block XIV, Coromandel S.D. Section 29, Block III, Kaitieko S.D. Part Tauakira 2h Block, Block III, Waipakura S.D. — A. B. P. 36 2 12 64 3 0 9 1 24 70 2 0 181 0 36 1913. 17 April. 17 „ 19 June. 1914. 15 Jan. * Previous Land Act reservation.

Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Marlborough .. Otago Southland Number. 2 2 1 22 9 5 5 Area. A. B. P. 23 1 38 132 0 28 320 0 36 1,856 3 30 292 1 13 69 2 24 319 3 34 Totals, 1913-14 Reserved up to 31st March, 1913 46 318 3,014 3 3 211,562 1 175 Less reservations revoked 364 1 214,577 0 20-5 181 0 36 Grand totals 363 214,395 3 24-5

C—6

6

Statement of Accounts, showing the Amounts expended, and the Purposes to which the Money so expended has been applied, for the Year ended 31st March, 1914.

Administration of Reserves and Historic Spots (including Cost of Fencing and other Works). £ s. d. Salaries of caretakers .. .. .. .. .. 89 16 8 Advertising re penalties of trespass and notices of intention to take lands 29 7 6 Eradication of noxious weeds on reserves and historic spots .. .. 271 3 9 Providing and upkeep of fences and other works on reserves.. .. 224 9 11 Grassing burnt areas .. .. .. .. .. 12 0 0 £626 17 10

Compensation, &c., in connection with European Lands taken under the Scenery Preservation Act, 1908.

Reference to Appropriations. Particulars. Gross Expenditure. Recoveries. Net Expenditure. r ote 119. Item 1 „ 2 Salaries Administration of reserves and historic spots (including fencing and other work) Compensation, &c, in connection with lands taken under the Scenery Preservation Act, 1908 Compensation for land acquired for scenic purposes —Mangoira Nos. 1 and 2 Compensation for land acquired along the Wanganui River Compensation for Native lands taken for scenery purposes (including historic spots) under the Public Works Act, 1908, and the Native Land Act, 1909 Contribution towards purchase of scenic reserve Kennedy's Bush and Hoon Hay (subsidy, £1 for £1) Expenses of Boards Road reserve at Ohura Falls, Wanganui River—purchase and fencing Surveys, valuations, and incidental expenses Credits in reduction! on previous|[year's expenditure £ s. d. 364 15 10 636 17 10 £ s. d. £ s. d. 364 15 10 626 17 10 10 0 0 » 3 610 0 0 610 0 0 „ 4 8,942 19 8 1,329 19 0 7,613 0 8 „ 5 620 14 2 42 13 2 578 1 ., 6 1,471 5 3 2 19 10 1,468 5 5 » 8 200 0 0 200 0 0 „ 9 ., 11 3 2 6 10 0 0 3 2 6 10 0 0 „ 12 1,561 1 7 13 10 0 1,547 11 7 2 0 11 13,011 14 10 1,420 16 10 1,411 2 11 13,009 13 11 Note. —£35 4s. 7d. was received by way pf rents for perio< under re vie -

Name of Reserve. Particulars of Blook, &o. Amount. )'Urville Island Reserve langaora Reserve, Kawhia ieith Valley Reserve Part Rangitoto 3b 2 Block Section 4, Block XIV, Kawhia S.D. Loss of water-right over Section 74, Block II, North Harbour S.D. Section 13, Block XI, Orieri S.D. .. £ s. d. 550 0 0 15 0 0 32 10 0 •toromiro Reserve 12 10 0 £610 0 0 Compensation for Land acquired along the Wanganui River. Name of Reserve. Particulars of Blook, &c. Amount. Atene Reserve Galatea Reserve Ranana Reserve Tauakira 2o, 2p, and 2q Blocks Ohotu 5b Block Te Tuhi Ib and Ahuahu F No. 2 Blocks £ s. d. 446 12 4 11 8 8 120 0 0 £578 1 0

7

C—6

Compensation for Native Lands acquired for Scenery Purposes under the Public Works Act, 1908.

APPENDIX B. Report by the Inspector of Scenic Reserves. For the first quarter of the past year I was, as Secretary of the late Royal Commission on Forestry, engaged in work outside my ordinary duties. I undertook also the superintendence of sand-dune reclamation works initiated by the Lands Department. In connection with scenery-preservation proper, the chief work of the year was an inspection and report, with recommendations, for the acquisition of the forest encompassing the beautiful and romantic lakes Waikaremoana and Waikare-iti. The land surrounding these lakes is of a broken nature, of poor quality, and, being at an altitude of from 2,000 ft. to 3,500 ft., is at present of small farming-value. As the speculator has not yet reached this locality, it is probable that the lands could be acquired for a comparatively small amount of compensation. There is a comfortable accommodation-house at Waikaremoana, and already, in the summer, when motor-cars can get through from Napier, Gisborne, and Wairoa, a considerable number of sightseers and fishermen make it their holiday resort. If the last few miles of the road going round the lake were metalled with some of the fine hard sandstone that abounds there, motor-cars would be able to make the trip with more surety, the expense would be lessened, and, as a consequence, more visitors would resort there. The lake lies at an altitude of over 2,000 ft. above the sea, and on this account the dwellers of the large coastal cities find this lessened atmospheric pressure most invigorating. The feature that compels one's admiration the most when one reaches the low saddle from which this beautiful lake is first viewed is the Panekiri Bluff, which, rising abruptly from the water some 1,500 ft., stands defiant, like a colossal sentinel guarding the sanctity of this terra nova. Each islet, each cliff, each bay has a story which connects it with the history of the Maori warriors of the past. The mountains round the lake rise to an altitude of 4,000 ft., so those fond of climbing can enjoy this exercise ad libitum. Trout are now plentiful in the lake, and deer in the forest, so the sportsman is afforded ample scope for the indulgence of his proclivities. With regard to the deer, I must strongly recommend that sufficient shooting be allowed, and even encouraged,

Name of Reserve. Particulars of Block, &c. Amount. D'Urville Island Reserve Hongi's Track Reserve Kumutoto Reserve Part Rangitoto 3b 2 Block Part Rotoiti Nos. 6 and 7 Blocks Part Section 2, Sections 3 and 11, Block I, Arapawa Part Okoheriki 2c No. 3 Block Section 12, Block I and part Block II, Awakino Part Whaiti Kuranui 1a Block Lot 189, Waiotahi Parish, Hiwarau A Part Te Taumanu Block Part Purahotangihia, Block IV, Puketapu Sections 6-10, Waiketi, Block I, Tarawera Part Waimarino 4b 2 Block £ s. d. 106 0 0 10 11 5 32 5 7 Mamaku Reserve .. Mangoira, Mokau .. Ngatira Reserve .. Ohiwaru Reserve .. Rotoma Reserve .. Tongoio Falls Reserve Waiketi Hot Sprngs Waimarino Reserve 264 19 0 439 0 0 148 6 3 23 3 7 1 3 3 1 2 11 10 0 0 431 13 5 £1,468 5 5 Cost of Surveys, &c, of Icenic Reserves undertaken during Year 1913-14. Name of Reserve. Particulars of Block, &o. Amount. Atene Reserve Ngapaeruru (Dannevirke) Puketarata Reserve Makahau Reserve Mangoira, Mokau Wanganui River Ohoutahi Reserve Waimarino Reserve Wanganui River bank Valuations, travelling-expenses, and lej of reserves Tauakira 2o, 2p, and 2q Blocks Sections 21 and 20, Block V, Mangatoro Kanihinihi 1 and 2 Blocks Part Block X, Wangaehu S.D Section 12, Block I, and part Block II, Awakino Blocks II, III, IV, Piopiotea S.D. .. Part Block XIV, Kareti S.D. Waimarino 2, 3, 4, and 5 Blocks Taumatamahoe 2b No. 2 .. ;al expenses incidental to acquiring and survey £ s. d. 66 15 6 16 15 6 10 13 0 12 12 0 12 2 0 14 15 2 53 5 6 402 8 7 627 1 9 331 2 7 £1,547 11 7

C—6

8

to prevent these animals becoming too numerous. The late Royal Commission on Forestry gathered sufficient information to be convinced that deer are extremely detrimental to native forests in this country. The other large lakes of New Zealand have been formed by the erosive action of huge bodies of moving ice or by volcanic action. Waikaremoana has had an altogether different origin, and has been formed by an immense fault in the stratification of the country as it was after its first elevation from the sea. The greater part of the drainage area is covered with beech (birch) forest with its usual associates, plus the tawari (Ixerba) ; and near Waikare-iti the two celery-pines Phyllocladus trichomanoides and P. glaucus. On the south side of the lake there is a small area of rimu (red-pine) association. Though this locality has no volcanic or eruptive rocks, it has been buried beneath showers of fine volcanic ejectamenta (largely pumice), which probably have been expelled from Taupo or one of the many volcanoes in that district; and it is this that forms the upper layers of the soil, and is responsible for its small fertility. The forest on the area I suggest should be acquired is practically all beech (birch), and being so far from rail or water access it has now no milling-value ; the red-beech (Nothofagus fused) is the dominant tree. Native birds, lam glad to say, are still abundant in Wai- ■ karemoana district; bell-birds (korimako), tuis, pigeons, kakas, tomtits, fantails, parrakeets wild duck, and black swan were seen there. The chief of other scenery-work that I did were inspections and reports on the Patea River, Wanganui River Trust lands, Day's Bay bush, Owhango, Okoia, and Wilton's Bush. I also inspected and reported on forest reserves at Ohura, Matiere, Whangamomona, and Pakiri. I also made proposals and prepared plans for the extension of Tongariro National Park, so as to include the beautiful forest abutting on to the railway at Erua and Karioi, the forest behind Horopito and Ohakune, the forest gorges on the east side of the volcanoes, and also the hot springs at Ketetahi. The proposal takes in a very large area of country, but its altitude is from 2,400 ft. to 5,000 ft., much of it is open scrub or tussock country, the forested area is practically all beech (birch), and none of it could be reasonably classed as suitable for successful farming. If this park is extended and developed as recommended, it would not be long before it became the most attractive health and tourist resort in the whole of Australasia. The' air of this volcanic plateau is wonderfully invigorating, and the active volcanoes, the moribund volcanoes, the dead volcanoes, the hot springs, the huge gorges, the waterfalls, the glaciers, the lakes, and the beautiful and varied plant-life of the alpine levels and lower forests are all features that leave an ineffaceable impression upon one's memory. This park should also be kept as a natural museum to preserve the different plants and plant associations that now exist on the highlands of the North Island ; and on this account I think it inadvisable to allow there the establishment of any aggressive exotic plant that is likely to kill out the indigenous plants, and possibly spread to be a pest in the poorer farming-lands of the surrounding districts. One of the European heathers has already become a pest, as bad as tea-tree, in the Pirongia district. It is gratifying to find that the people of Wellington, assisted by Mrs. M. A. Williams and the Government, have been able to secure Day's Bay Bush as a public park. It is already a most popular pleasure resort, and if adequate measures are taken to preserve its natural beauties its popularity will be sure to increase. From the botanical point of view it is specially interesting, as being the only locality in the North Island where the beech (birch) forest descends to sea-level. All the Native lands proposed to be acquired for scenery-reservation on the Wanganui River have now been surveyed off, Messrs. Bogle and Wall, private contract surveyors, having last year completed the surveys of about fifty miles of river frontage. There are, however, several surveyed areas that have not yet been gazetted as scenic reserves, and it is desirable that this should be done without delay, as settlement is fast increasing up this river, with the consequence that the acquisition of the land is thereby complicated and made more expensive. The preservation of the forest on the Wanganui River is a matter of national importance, and concerns every citizen of this Dominion. There are few New-Zealanders that do not boast of the transcendent beauty of this river, which the most-travelled admit to be the finest sight of its kind in the whole world. A Russian traveller whom I met at Pipiriki told me the Wanganui surpassed in beauty all the rivers he had seen, and he had been up the Amazon in South America, all the big European rivers, and most of the navigable rivers in Eastern countries. "It is no compliment," he said, " to call the Wanganui ' the New Zealand Rhine.' '' Fires. There was not much damage reported from fires last year. I saw three or four patches on Tongariro Park that had been burned (probably by men mustering sheep). Burning in this kind of country is particularly to be deprecated, as not only is the fertility (already very low) of the soil much lessened, but when scrub and tussock are burned off here they are succeeded by desert which is incapable of carrying a plant growth for a considerable number of years. lam sorry to say that through the foolish action of some campers at Waimarino burning off the tussock a fire spread to and has temporarily spoiled the appearance of the beautiful natural margin of bush close to the railway-station. A Maori felled and burned off some bush on a scenic reserve on the Wanganui at Pipiriki, but as he was under a misapprehension as to his legal rights no prosecution took place. From being allowed for so long to burn off the bush on State lands without punishment people have got into the way of looking upon such acts as being either permitted or of no great consequence. It is now time that they were made to realize that State forests and scenic and climatic reserves are of very great value, and that damage to them, either by fire or axe, will be severely punished. It is, of course, difficult to catch an offender in flagrante delicto, and on that account also, if he is caught, he should be severely punished as a warning to others not to commit a similar offence.

C—6,

Lower Fall, Waitakerei, Auckland.

Whangaroa Harbour and Heads.

C—6.

Rosy Bay, Waikaremoana.

Panikiri Range (3,900 ft. high), Waikaremoana.

G.—6.

Waikareiti Lake.

Aniwaniwa Fall, Waikaremoana.

C—6.

Lake Gunn and Source of Eglington River.

Day's Bay, Wellington.

9

C—6

Noxious Weeds and Animals. Pests of the latter kind are a negligible factor in the North Island scenic reserves, but in the South Island a small expense is annually required to keep rabbits in check. A few reserves in the North, and more in the South Island, require an annual expenditure to keep weeds in subjection ; but the wholesale statement that some reckless people occasionally make, to the effect that scenic reserves are regular nurseries for noxious weeds, is an unwarranted exaggeration. In most instances where noxious weeds have invaded scenic and forest reserves they have spread there from adjacent badly farmed lands. Fencing. The most expensive item that has to be considered in connection with the preservation of scenic reserves is fencing. Reserves that are contiguous to settled lands, if not fenced, are always subject to trespass by stock, with the certain result that the bush gets so damaged and disfigured that, having lost its attractiveness, there is often an agitation to have the reservation removed. In most cases a cattle-proof fence only is necessary, as in dense virgin bush sheep will not penetrate. The reserves that want first attention in this respect are, of course, those nearest important highways, such as the Main Trunk Railway, Wanganui River, &c. Native Birds. In the vicinity of Waikaremoana I found that the following birds are still numerous —tuis, bell-birds (korimako), pigeons, kakas, whiteheads, black swans, grey duck, and widgeon ; in the Ohura district tuis, bell-birds, pigeons, kakas, and kokakos are still plentiful; in the bush existing in all other places visited, fantails, native wrens, and black-headed tits are always to be found, though, with the exception of the fantail, they are not plentiful. The diminishing number of native birds is due chiefly, of course, to the advance of settlement, but also largely to the competition for food-supply caused by the increase in foreign birds ; doubtless, also, stoats and weasels are to a large extent responsible. The huia was reported to have been seen in two widely separated districts, but searchers failed to find them. It is probable that the kokako (native crow) gets mistaken for the huia. The kokako, except in very out-of-the-way places, is now scarce in the North Island. I find that this bird is often miscalled the " bellbird " by North Island bushmen, and this fact perhaps explains the misleading reports occasionally received as to the bell-bird having been seen. I noticed that the robin present on Kapiti Island is the North Island robin. Mr. Bennett, caretaker of the Kapiti sanctuary, reports that the flightless ducks put on the island some years ago by Dr. Cockayne were seen last year. Botanical. As I stated at first, my field-work for this year was restricted, so I have little of botanical interest to recount. On Ngamoko Mountain I found Quintinia acutifolia, a rare tree in the North Island ;at Waikare-iti I found the large-leaved celery-pine (Phyllocladus glaucus) ; at Waikaremoana Angelica roscefoliam, a native aniseed ; on Ngamoko Mountain Nothopanax Sinclairii, a small-leaved houhou ; also in the same locality Nertera setulosa, a small herbaceous plant; at Waikaremoana Vrtica incisa var. linearifolia, a flaccid, scrambling nettle ; at Ngamoko Mountain Asplenium lucidum var. anomodum, a rare fern that grows on lime-containing rocks ; also at the same spot Azorella trifoliolata, a weak prostrate herb ; Lycopodium densum at Owhango ; at the Mokau River the small bristle-fern Trichomanes elongatum ; and in the neighbourhood of Ohura and Whangamomona Nothofagus fusca (the redbeech). It is rather interesting that at Mokau and (as far as I could find) at Ohura and Whangamomona the red-beech s the only beech found (it is plentiful at the three localities), whilst all along the right bank —the northern side —of the Wanganui River (in some places not more than ten miles away), where there is no appreciable difference in climate and where the soil is identical, the black-beech (Nothofagus Solanderi) is the only beech found. This abrupt division of the two species is very remarkable. General Observations. The formation of the National Society for the Protection and Preservation of New Zealand Forests and Bird-life is to be warmly welcomed. • The society should prove a most valuable aid to the Government in carrying out the intentions of the Scenery Preservation Act. Each member of the society should consider himself an unofficial ranger, and should not content himself with the reflection that he is an advocate of forest-preservation; but he might report cases of burning or cutting-down of bush and trespass of stock in State reserves, and the destruction of protected native birds. It is only at a few of the most important reserves that the State can afford to keep a salaried Ranger ; and in the guardianship of the unprotected reserves the members of the society can afford valuable assistance. Some public-spirited Maori landowners — e.g., Te Heu Heu Tukino, Mrs. Nini Koro, and Waata Hipango —'have generously given portions of their lands as public pleasure resorts; but generally the Maoris are opposed to the acquisition of portions of their lands for scenery-preservation purposes, even though they receive for the parts taken compensation that is assessed by Judges of the Native Land Courts. May it not be pointed out to the Maori landowners that these lands taken for scenery-preserva-tion are taken for our mutual benefit and for the benefit of our successors —Maori as well as European. Do not the Maori inhabitants of this country take a pride in its beauty equal even to that which the newly arrived European takes ? Do they not wish to see preserved for their heirs even small portions of that forest in which their ancestors for a thousand years have hunted, and every plant of which they knew with a familiarity superior to that of the most ardent modern garden-lover ? In every Maori we should have a ranger who would defend the inviolability of a scenic reserve with a zeal double that of the European, who has not these associations, and who can be influenced only by its aesthetic and scientific value. E. Phillips Turner,

2—C. 6.

C—6

10

Report on Queen Charlotte Sound Scenic Reserves. As regards these reserves, the year just ended has, taken on the whole, been an exceptionally quiet one ; visitors were not nearly so numerous as in former years, and campers being conspicuous by their absence, one small party camping in Kumutoto Bay and two in.Ship Cove making the sum total for the year. The conduct of the visiting public in general shows a marked tendency towards carefulness and to the safeguarding of the reserves ; though in some instances a spirit of wanton mischief and destruction is shown, particularly in regard to the tearing-down of the notices. On several occasions I have warned visitors against the unsuitable places selected for lighting their fires, and to the reprehensible practice of leaving them burning on their departure. Lady members of parties, too, cause a considerable degree of trouble in their persistent efforts to secure roots of ferns and shrubs. Owing to the past exceptionally wet season, the reserves have to date escaped any destruction from fires spreading from adjoining holdings. On the 14th December last I arrived at Ship Cove some fifteen minutes after a small coastal steamer had anchored there for shelter, and found a dozen of the crew and passengers ashore, several of whom were evidently bent on mischief. As the cherries in the bay were ripe, the native pigeons were particularly numerous and very confident, and could be easily killed with stones. I had every reason to believe one member of the crew was carrying a revolver, but could not secure proof to that effect. lam convinced that had I not arrived so opportunely tremendous destruction would have been wrought amongst the birds'. On another occasion I received outside information to the effect that people were coming in from the back on Sunday afternoons and shooting over the reserve. Acting on this information, for two successive Sundays I anchored the launch in the adjoining bay and walked to the top of the dividing range between the Kenepuru Sound and Kumutoto Bay. On the second Sunday, after climbing the 1,000 ft. to top of the range, I was resting in a cleared space when two lads with dogs and guns dropped on to me before I had time to get out of sight; had I had time to secrete myself and allowed them to cross the boundary-line I could have secured a conviction. However, to date I have heard no further complaints of shooting in that locality. Cattle trespassing. —During the past winter cattle trespassed to a more or less extent on all the reserves. Not a great amount of damage is done while the animals confine themselves to the upper country, but when the foreshore and bays are reached they are rendered very unsightly by the broken shrubbery, and very objectionable by droppings and the puddled nature of the ground. Apart from these objections, visitors to the reserves strongly object to wandering cattle. This question is rather a difficult one to deal with, as when adjoining settlers are approached on the matter they generally repudiate ownership of the cattle. Driving out and impounding is under the circumstances practically impossible ; the only solution of the question appears to be the secure fencing of the reserves. Fencing Boundary-lines. —During the year just past several settlers adjoining the reserves have approached the Department on the question of fencing boundary-lines, but in every case the price asked per chain was prohibitive and could not be met. As it is very necessary in some cases that these fences be erected, I would advise the Department to undertake the work, letting them by contract, and recovering the half-cost from the adjoining occupiers, who, I may state, in several instances are prepared to pay the half-cost, whatever it may amount to within reason. Pig-hunting at Ship Cove. —Complaints are frequently made by adjoining settlers of wild pigs ebreding in the reserve coming out destroying the pasture and killing the lambs. To meet this difficulty, when indications point tp the fact that pigs are about, a general pig-hunt is organized, in which the settlers join. The results are, as a rule, not encouraging. Native Pigeons. —These birds during the past year have been unusually numerous on the Ship Cove Reserve, evidently proving that the policy of complete protection is beginning to show results. ' | Landing-stage at Ship Cove. —Owing to the rough nature of the beach and generally difficult landing at the above-named reserve, suggestions are frequently made to me of the necessity of landing-accommodation there. This, of course, would be a great convenience, but as yet hardly warranted on the basis of the number of visitors who visit the reserve yearly. In conclusion, I would like to point out the advisability of taking and adding to the Edgecombe Point Reserve a small bay lying between the boundary of that reserve and R. Ewing's holding, and locally known as Baker's Bay. At present it is intact, a perfect beauty-spot, beautifully sheltered, and would give a landing to the Edgecombe Point Reserve, which at present has none. I believe it is one of the prettiest spots now left in this Sound, and should not be allowed to be destroyed. Harvey Turner, Ranger, Scenic Reserves, Queen Charlotte Sound.

APPENDIX C. Report op the Scenery Preservation Board. During the year ended the 31st March, 1914, the Board held the following meetings in Wellington, at the office of the Surveyor-General: On the 12th April, 1913, to deal with Marlborough lands ;on the 18th April, 1913, to deal with Wellington lands ; on the 19th June, 1913, to deal with Hawke's Bay lands ; on the 17th October, 1913, to deal with Auckland lands ; on the 14th January, 1914, to deal with Wellington lands ; on the 6th February, 1914, to deal with Canterbury lands ; on the 17th February, 1914, to deal with Canterbury lands ; on the 31st March, 1914, to deal with Marlborough lands.

11

C.—6

Forty-three recommendations were made by the Board and submitted to His Excellency the Governor for consideration. Of these, several have been approved, and the remainder are receiving attention. As in previous years, the greatest care was taken that land suitable for close settlement was not interfered with unduly, and that the land recommended for reservation was not only picturesque and well adapted for permanent reservation from this point of view alone, but also served the waterconservation and climatic needs of the locality. At the last meeting of the Board the followingfresolution wasJpassedfregardingTmyJpredecessor, Mr. James Mackenzie, who after acting as Chairman for the past two years, and having been a member for the preceding six years, vacated his seat through his promotion to the position of Under-Secretary of Crown Lands : " Resolved, That the Board places on record its appreciation of the work done by Mr. James Mackenzie as Chairman of the Board since his appointment to that position, and also testifies to his previous interest in scenery-preservation matters whilst filling the position of Commissioner of Crown Lands for Taranaki, Auckland, and Wellington." E. It. Wilmot, Chairman of Board. Kennedy's Bush Scenic Board. During the year the area of this reserve was increased by 69 acres 2 roods 9 perches, a block adjoining on the north-west having been purchased from Mr. A. Loe, and partly paid for. This brings the reserve out to the sharp bend of the road round Nancy's Knoll. An area of 29 acres between the bush and Hoon Hay Reserve having also been purchased, both reserves are now linked together ; and the latter having lately been fenced on the north side, the whole now forms one valuable reserve. A small area on the north side of Cass Peak, 15 acres 3 roods 25 perches, is also being added to the reserve. ea having occurred in the reserve and on Flat Spur adjoining on two occasions, and the reserve having become the resort of many people, it was decided that it would be advisable to have a caretaker resident on the spot, to look after this and other reserves along the road, protecting the flora and fauna, and also such improvements in the way of concrete catchments for water-springs, &c, that were being effected. Messrs. J. and W. Jameson having offered to erect a stone cottage with outbuildings for a sum of about £450, special meetings of the Board were held, and an agreement entered into for the erection of a cottage on the edge of the bush in the reserve, on a plan drawn up by Mr. S. Hurst Seager. The building is to be paid for partly by Government grant of £150, partly from rents accruing from the reserve, and partly from private sources. Applications were called for the position of resident caretaker : nineteen were received, and Mr. and Mrs. D. Potter selected. The cottage was ready and the caretaker took possession in May. An agreement was entered into with Mr. Allan for a lease of the reserve for grazing sheep only, for £50 a year ; and on the addition of the 29 acres the rent was increased to £65 a year, the increased rental dating from November, 1913. Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st March, 1914. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Balance from last year .. .. . . 19 8 8 Erection of fencing .. .. .. 28 16 3 Rent received .. .. . . .. 53 15 0 Cartage .. . . .. . . 513 5 Solicitors'expenses .. .. .. 614 6 Balance in hand .. .. 32 0 6 £73 3 8 £73 8~8 C. R. Pollen, Chairman. Summit Road Scenic Board. No work other than fencing has been carried out on these reserves during the year, and as no revenue is yet derived from any of them a contribution towards the cost of fencing was made by a Government subsidy of £50, pound for pound. There have been several additions to the reserves by gift and purchase. An area of 29 acres was purchased from Messrs. Gibson and McDonald at £20 an acre, plus fencing.. Towards this purchase the Government contributed a subsidy of £200, pound for pound, which was paid over on the 24th March, 1914, and the purchase completed. This area links up the Hoon Hay and Kennedy's Bush Reserves, adding largely to their value for grazing purposes. An area of 6 acres is being added to the north-east end of the Hoon Hay Reserve. The Hon. R. Heaton Rhodes presented an area of 6 acres 3 roods 32 perches, part of Rural Section 1403, at Cass Peak, to the King as a scenic reserve ; Mr. Allan presented 1 acre and 28 perches, parts of Rural Sections 1403 and 33748 ; and Mr. R. M. D. Morten presented 26 acres 3 roods 28 perches, parts of Rural Sections 1183, 33950, and 33951, Ahuriri Bush. There were also acquired, by purchase, 11 acres 3 roods 25 perches, the Gravenor Bush Scenic Reserve, at £10 an acre (for this the Government granted £100 subsidy, pound for pound, and Mr. A. E. G. Rhodes gave £50), and 36 acres 2 roods 36 perches, parts Rural Sections 13609, &c, at Cooper's Knobs, obtained from the Hon. R. H. Rhodes in exchange for a closed road intersecting his property.

c—6

12

The Crown's titles to all these additional pieces are in course of preparation, and Gazette notices reserving them for scenic purposes will issue in due course. A handsome drinking-fountain has been erected on the roadside at the Cooper's Knobs Reserve : it is fed from a spring in the reserve, and is the gift of the Hon. R. H. Rhodes. Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ending 31st March, 1914. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Government grant, pound for pound .. 50 0 0 Carting material, &c. .. .. .. 6 3 4 Erecting fencing .. .. .. 816 3 Part cost material .. .. 15 0 0 Balance in hand .. .. 20 0 5 £50 0 0 £50 0 0 C. R. Pollen, Chairman.

APPENDIX D. Report on Wellington Scenic Reserves, by E. Phillips Turner, F.R.G.S. Wilton's Bush. This reserve was acquired for scenery-preservation purposes by the Government in 1906, the Wellington City Council contributing £500 towards the purchase-money. ' The land was part of the Otari Native Reserve. The reserve is some three miles from Wellington, and the Wadestown tram takes one to within a mile of it. Those who are more energetic will find it a very pleasant walk. The area of the reserve is 142 acres, but only about three-quarters of this area is forest-clad; the rest is open grass land. On the south-east the boundary is a small stream, and from this stream the reserve extends up steep spurs and gullies a distance of about a third of a mile. The stream is named Kaiwarawara on the maps, but this is probably a misspelling of Kaiwharawhara, kai being the Maori for food, and wharawhara being the name of several of the astelias, two perching kinds of which are abundant here. The plants are of the lily family, have long sword-shaped leaves, and bear large panicles of yellow or yellowish-green flowers, which are succeeded by fruits which resemble little balls of bright-red jelly. These fruits were eaten by the Maoris, so the above seems the probable explanation of the origin of the name. The Kaiwarawara, or Kaiwharawhara (as I think it should be called), is a small fast-flowing stream some five paces in width. Here and there are still pools, and in these the English trout may often be seen disporting himself. There are four tributaries that pass through the reserve and join the Kaiwharawhara; two of these are of fair volume, and in their rapid descent of two deep gullies pass over rocky cliffs and form charming cascades. Two years after the acquisition of the reserve a bad fire swept through and killed a good deal of the bush. The damage then done has been to some extent repaired by the rapid growth of such trees as rangiora, houhou, mahoe, &c; but the tall, gaunt trunks of dead rimu-trees still stand to show the ravages of the fire. Our big forest-trees nearly always carry large numbers of perching-plants in the forks of their boughs, and round their boughs large swathings of mosses and lichens. In hot summer weather these guests of the tree become a great danger, as they dry almost to a tinder, and catch the flying sparks from fires near by. Frequently the fire will pass from one big tree to another, killing them without doing much damage to the small trees and shrubs below. The bush in this reserve is of a different kind from that at Day's Bay. There the black and red beeches are the dominant trees. Here they are altogether absent, and the top story of the forest has been composed of the following : Tawhero, tawa, hinau, rimu, rata, miro, kahikatea, matai, rewarewa, pukatea, totara, kohekohe, and maire, with a close lower story of mahoe, Fuchsia, raurekau, porokaiwhiria, houhou, angeange, &c, with a dense accompaniment of the vines Parsonsia, supplejacks, lawyers, Muehlenbeckia, and native passion-flower. On the forest-floor there is a great profusion of different kinds of ferns, some of which are rare, such are a crested form of Polypodium Cunninghamii (not known elsewhere), Davallia novae-zealandiae (one of our most beautiful ferns), and the delicate little Adiantum diaphanum, a dwarf maidenhair. Crape and filmy ferns are also plentiful. Treeferns are fairly abundant. In one gully the graceful nikau, the only native palm, is in considerable quantity. Except in the bottoms of the two largest gullies, fire and the axe have much changed the bush from its original condition ; and even in the gully-bottoms rotting stumps show that some of the large trees have been taken out ; however, in such places the characteristics of the original bush are fairly well preserved ; and resting near the streamlet, with no noise but its babbling water, the twittering of that restless little fairy of the wood, the fantail, and the occasional music of the tui, one can easily forget that one is within an hour's walk of a bustling city. As before stated, the backs of the spurs are in grass, but the sides bear a dense growth of such small trees as rangiora, mahoe, heketara, houhou, Fuchsia, makomako, karamu, &c, often thickly

C—6.

Wilton's Bush, Wellington.

Day's Bay Bush, Wellington.

13

C.—6

bound together with bush-lawyer, Parsonsia, and kohia (the native passion-flower) vines. Often on some high dead tree-stumps one of the small ratas has climbed to show its wealth of orange-red blossoms. If it be spring, large snow-white clusters of the native Clematis will also be seen here. On the fringe of the forest the large-flowered New Zealand myrtle is a common shrub. The white flowers with their numerous long stamens are very pretty, but the chief charm of this shrub is its green-to-bronze-to-red puckered leaves, which make it an ornament for any garden. Another beautiful small tree plentiful in this bush-is the putaputaweta. The trunk of this tree is often much tunnelled with the bores of the mokoroa, which is the larva of a large green moth, and after the moth has come forth the holes are frequently occupied by that fierce*armoured warrior of the cricket family—the weta. The puta injthe name is the Maori for " hole."»\.The tree bears a great profusion of small white flowers, and the foliage—often variegated—makes this tree very ornamental. The kohekohe is a common member of this bush. The botanical name of this tree is Dysoxylum spectabile, and, as this name implies, it is a very handsome tree: its large leaves are unequally pinnate, and are a glossy yellowish-green in colour ; the flowers are a dull waxy-white ; they are succeeded by large green capsules, which burst when ripe'and disclose seeds in "a brilliant orange pulp. This tree has no other relation in New Zealand, and must have reached here from the tropics by an ancient landconnection or have been carried here by ocean-currents. The Queensland cedar, the valuable mahogany, and the cedar of cigar-boxes are all relatives of our kohekohe. In this country the timber of the kohekohe has never to any extent been made use of, but it is, nevertheless, a beautiful timber, and of use for the same purposes as the Queensland cedar. An extremely interesting small tree of this bush is the kaikomako, which, like the kohekohe, also has no relative in this country. In its juvenile stage it is a mass of slender branchlets all interlaced, and bearing a few small three-lobed, wedge-shaped leaves. In time from this tangled mass one or more stems shoot up, and eventually form a small tree with leaves 3 in. to 4 in. long. When the extremes of the two forms are seen apart none but the expert would believe that the two plants are the same. With its adult glossy-green leaves and white panicles of fragrant flowers this tree is very ornamental. There are many other plants in this reserve which could be mentioned with appreciation were there space. Most lowland plants of this province are represented in some part or other, and the reserve, besides being a delightful and beautiful pleasure resort, is also a fair living museum of the lowland plant life of this province. At present, owing to the want of tracks, much of the beauty of the reserve is not disclosed to the average visitor, as, generally, such willhot subject their unwrinkled costumes to the ordeal of scrambling through a tangle of supplejacks, bush-lawyers, and other obstructionist members of this association of plants. Were a few tracks made through the wooded part of this reserve many more people would be enabled to view and enjoy the charming scenery of this natural botanical garden. Day's Bay. Day's Bay is on the eastern side of Port Nicholson, about six miles and a quarter from the Wellington wharves. In ordinary weather the Eastbourne Borough ferry-steamer does this distance in about forty minutes, and on a fine day the trip over is most enjoyable. At first, after leaving the wharf, one's interest is centred on the huge ocean-going steamers discharging the manufactured products of the Old World, and taking in the raw products of this new land ; or, perchance, there may be resting at the wharf one or more of the grey s'm-built cruisers that ensure a safe passage for the huge merchantmen. As the distance increases, the eye wanders to the vast aggregation of buildings called " the city " ; then follows the line of grass-covered hills from Karori to Petone. and from there beyond the Hutt Valley to the Tararua Ranges, where the lofty peaks Alpha and Hector (often snow-capped) arrest the eye. Turning easterly from there the Rimutaka and Mount Matthews ranges come into view ; then appears Pencarrow Head, on which may still be seen the wreck of the luckless ocean tramp " Devon " —a grim reminder to the outgoing sailor of the risks his calling entails. Turning a few more degrees south-westerly, on a clear day may be seen the noble snow-clad peak Tapuaenuku, the loftiest mountain of the ranges on the eastern side of the South Island. By now Somes Island and Ward Island are passed, and Day's Bay lies before us, basking in the warm sunshine of an April afternoon. It is difficult to obtain reliable information concerning the early history of Day's Bay. Mr. J. H. Williams tells me that in the early days the bay was called " Hawtrey Bay." Mr. Williams bought the land about twenty-five years ago from a Mr. Downs, who was the first European to acquire the land from the Maoris. About the time of, or a little prior to, the European settlement of Wellington there was a small Maori pa on the spur that forms the northern arm of the bay, but the inhabitants of it were slaughtered by the formidable and ruthless Rauparaha ; and Mr. Williams states that skulls and other bones were often found by his men when digging on the flat where the school now stands. The reserve starts at some few chains from high water, and extends easterly up the ridge and down the far side to Gollan's Valley. The total area of the reserve is about 623 acres, but about one-half only of this area is forest; the balance is principally open scrub and fern land of no scenic interest. The reserve is roughly bisected by a high ridge running north and south, and from this ridge several steep spurs and gullies descend on the eastern side to Gollan's Valley, and on the western side to the harbour. In most of the gullies there are rapid-flowing rills of perennial water. Viewed from the distance, the bush at Day's Bay is of somewhat sombre hue, and does not possess the charm of the bright greens of the European deciduous forest. As one draws nearer and nearer, however, this sombre canopy of'the southern beeches (the " birches "of the pioneer) is found to cover lower trees arid shrubs of every possible gradation of green. There are two beeches present here, the red-beech {Nothofagus fused), with large toothed leaves, and the black-beech (Nothofagus Solanderi),

C.—6

14

with small oblong entire leaves. Though these trees do not, like most European trees, acquire their new vesture in a few weeks, they are, nevertheless, very beautiful trees. The young foliage of the red-beech is a beautiful light-green, and the autumn foliage and the foliage of the seedling trees is often a brilliant scarlet. This tree in localities high above the sea is one of the giants of the forest, and its flanged and buttressed trunk will sometimes measure as much as 30 ft. in circumference. The blackbeech is less beautiful than the red-beech, but in a good flowering season it is a mass of small rich crimson flowers, and is then a charming sight. * At Day's Bay these two beeches are found in a situation practically at sea-level, and as this is the only place in the North Island where this occurs it is a feature of considerable botanical interest. Practically the only trees forming the " top story " of this forest are the red-beech, the blackbeech, the tawhero (Weinmannia racemosa), and rata (Metrosideros robusta), and of these the two beeches are dominant, the other two trees occurring occasionally mixed with the beeches or in small clumps on the breasts of the higher spurs. The presence of occasional miro and rimu seedlings proves that these conifers once existed in the gullies, but the timber-getter has long ago taken them from the forest. The plants that most please the average visitor to our native woods are undoubtedly the ferns, and of these there is an abundance in Day's Bay Bush. Of this race of plants the mamaku (or black tree-fern) and the ponga (or silver tree-fern) are the chieftains—pre-eminent from their size and beauty combined ; there are also the lesser tree-ferns —the wheki and the katote, the latter with tender fronds of richest green. On the forest-floor polypodies, spleenworts, filmy ferns, and kidney ferns are seen in great abundance, and on every tree-trunk and bough there are numerous climbing or perching ferns. Of these, one (not yet endowed with any familiar name) called Blechnum filiforme is of special interest from the great dissimilarity that there is between the young plant with its short fronds with small oval pinnae and the adult plant with long fronds with long and narrow pinnae. The most beautiful of the ferns that here adorn the forest-floor is the single crape-fern, a member of the Todea genus. On the dry stony spurs, under the beech-trees, are seen dense colonies of the kidneyshaped Trichomanes, a fern of semi-transparent olivine hue that in times of drought folds up its fronds to lessen the surface exposed to the desiccating air. The rare and beautiful filmy fern with crisped fronds (Hymenophyllum australe) is also to be seen in this bush. Of the many plants that make their home on the boughs of trees are the orchids Dendrobium and the two Earinas. The former has hard, narrow, glossy, jointed stems like a miniature bamboo, and has large white flowers with delicate mauve throats. The Earinas are rather grassy looking plants with creamy white flowers ; one, called Earina suaveolens, emits a delicious perfume not unlike that of honey, and can often make known its presence by its fragrance alone. There are several groundorchids, mostly bashful little plants that do not ask the eye to notice their presence ; one, however, the long-leaved Thelymitra, presents a posy of delicate blue flowers. In the autumn of this year the karamu and raurekau (members of the Coprosma genus, and relations to the coffee-plant and famed Cinchona) were thickly studded with bright-rod berries that looked like ornaments of richest coral. The mahoe-tree, a giant relative of the humble violet, was crowded with berries of a bright cobalt blue. Most native climbing-plants are to be found in this small bush. The native passion-flower, or kohia, climbs the small trees, and on their tops spreads its clusters of leaves of glistening green ;' its fruits, of bright orange, are very showy, and are much beloved by the parson-bird, or tui, and the kiore, or bush-rat. The kaiku (Parsonsia heterophylld) is another climber, which displays an abundance of small dull-white tubular flowers that emit a pleasing perfume. The excessive variability of the leaves of this plant are of more interest than its aesthetic qualities. The Clematis (most beautiful, perhaps, of all New Zealand flowers), though not plentiful, may yet occasionally be seen. A beautiful member of the families that prefer well-lighted openings or the exteriors of the forests is the tataramoa, a near relative of the blackberry : it has large panicles of greenish-white flowers, which afterwards give place to pretty amber-coloured berries ; its large palmate leaves are beautiful, too ; but, being armed, with sharp recurved prickles, the plant frequently gets so fastened on the incautious passer-by that it is difficult to escape from its hold ; from this habit it was called by the early settlers the bushlawyer. In the late autumn and winter the bush is gaily decorated by the small climbing-rata (Metrosideros floridd), which gives a profusion of orange-red blossoms as a reward to ornament the tree which has afforded it a support on which to climb to reach the light its nature craves for. There are two other small climbing-ratas here, but compared to florida they are modest members of the family. Up to the present not much has been done in the way of track-forming to make it convenient for the visitor to get about the bush. Up the bottom of the gully south of the pavilion there is a wellformed path that follows up the course of the streamlet for about half a mile. About half-way along this track another track branches sharply to the left, and passes through a graceful beech grove to the open spur to the northward. Between these beeches, and framed with its beautiful foliage, most charming views of Wellington are seen. When the track gains the open spur it continues with tortuous course some 200 ft. up the spur, and then ends at the margin of the bush ; onward from here a blazed trail continues up the wooded spur to the summit of the ridge —some 800 ft., perhaps, above the sea. The climb is easy, and the beautiful views that are obtained of the harbour will more than repay the small exertion of the ascent. The only native birds that I found in the reserve were the fantail, the black-headed tomtit, the grey warbler, the tui, and the white-head (popokotea); doubtless the weka and morepork are there also. Fires have destroyed most of the bush on the further side of the ridge, and most of that area is now occupied with scrubby manuka, which, from its liability to fire, will be a serious menace to the

15

C.—6

appointed to preserve this Wbour^L m °"tb PathS 11^ 16 VIBitMS t0 See other P arts of the M ' and the M with fire-resisting shmbs and trees, as like Dav's * *"? haS ' P racti cally within its boundaries, a reserve EnthusLtie i W TTT °, f e c foreBt almoBt *e same as it was a thousand years ago. ™ve tl at 2t a tn, USht " W t0 - SaVe tHs bUBh ; liaVln S won > their interest so survive that such a valuable possession may be rightly used and cared for.

NOTE.-Accounts of scenic reserves in other parts of the Dominion will appear in future reports.

Approximate Cost of Paper.-Preparation, not given ; printing (1,500 copies), including illustrations, £25.

Authority: John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.-] 914.

Price 6d.~]