DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY. SCENERY-PRESERVATION. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1919; TOGETHER WITH STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS AND SCHEDULE OF LANDS ACQUIRED AND RESERVED DURING THE YEAR UNDER THE SCENERY PRESERVATION ACT.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1919 Session I, C-06

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1919 NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY. SCENERY-PRESERVATION. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1919; 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.

Bm. Department of ijands and Survey, Wellington, 16th June, 1919. I Lave the honour to submit herewith report on scenery-preservation for the twelve months ended the 31st March, 1919. I have, &c, T. N. Bbodrick, Under-Secretary for Lands. The Hon. D. H. Guthrie, Minister in Charge of Scenery-preservation, Wellington.

EEPOKT. Reservations. During the war operations under the Scenery Preservation Act, as stated in previous reports, were circumscribed, and during the last financial year very few areas were acquired. Some reservations were, however, made, and are detailed in Appendix A. comprising the following :- Auckland Land District. —An area of 86 acres on the northern side of the Whangaroa arm of Lake Rotoma. This is a very pretty piece of bush adjoining the previous scenery reserve that was made in the locality, and contains a fine display of ferns. It is in view of the Matata -Whakatane Road, ti nd its reservation will now preserve the best of the scenery in the locality. A small area of 8 acres in the Omapere district was acquired by means of exchange. This land consists of half fern and balance of heavy mixed bush situated, near falls in the Waihoanga Stream. The scenery is picturesque and most suitable for reservation. A very necessary reservation was that of an area, of Native land on the slopes of Ngongotaha Mountain, overlooking Rotorua. From the top of this mountain there is a magnificent view of the whole of the surrounding scenery, and, although an area of 282 acres around the top of the mountain had been previously purchased as a reserve, the bush on the Rotohokahoka Block, through which the winding mountain-path ran, was also necessary as an addition to the reserve so as to enable the mountain and its pretty bush to be satisfactorily protected. The ascent of the Ngongotaha, Mountain is one of the attractions of the Rotorua, district, being within easy motor access of the town, and consequently the reserve will be much appreciated. Nelson Land District.—-An area of 267 acres of land were acquired and reserved. It forms the steep bush-clad sea-face from Totaranui Bay to the northern point of Waiharakeke Hay, and is of great beauty as seen from the seaward approach,

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Westland Land District. —Nearly 700 acres surrounding picturesque Lady Lake, six miles from the Rotomana Railway-station, were proclaimed. The country along the shores of the lake is mostly undrainable swamp land covered with scrub, flax, &c, but the drier parts have rimu, kamahi, kahikatea, and native shrubs growing thereon, and the land, eminently suitable for scenerypreservation, was of little value from tiny point of view. Besides this, the Marsden limestone cave was also proclaimed. The land on which it is situated adjoins tin- tract to Limestone Diggings and Card's Creek, about two miles and a half from Marsden. It comprises a bush-clad spur, on which is a limestone cave containing stalactites and stalagmites. This cave has only recently been discovered, and the formation is as yet undamaged. Southland Land District. —An area of 155 acres on the upper reaches of the beautiful Pourakino River was also reserved, and completes the reservation of the bush-clad land on the banks of this river, which is situated a, few miles above Riverton, and is a very attractive resort of the residents in the district. Revocations. The reservation over portions of several scenic areas was revoked (luring the year, through the lands being no longer suitable for scenic purposes. The total area now set aside under the Act is 306,888 acres, including over five hundred different reservations, whilst reserves previously set aside under the Land Act and not yet brought under the Scenery Preservation Act amount to a large area, and these two classes of reserves contain a large portion of the beautiful scenery of the Dominion. Every care will be taken to preserve these lands in their pristine beauty. It may also be mentioned that the national parks of New Zealand, which are practically scenic reserves, cover an area of 2,771,202 acres. Future Reservations. Although such good results have been achieved so far much still remains to be done. Here and there throughout the Dominion small scattered areas containing scenery of outstanding beauty will from time to time be inspected with a view to their acquisition and reservation, and when blocks of virgin land are being opened for settlement- as, for instance, in the Urewera country -certain picked beauty-spots will be set aside under the Act. In addition there are well-known resorts, such as the Wanganui River, Marlborough Sounds, the Hot Lakes district, &c, where scenic reservation is not yet complete, and further action is necessary to safeguard the unique attractions of these localities. As opportunity offers these matters will be attended to, and every endeavour will be made, compatible with the funds at the disposal of the Government, to adequately retain and preserve for all time the scenic attractions of New Zealand. Historic Monuments. With reference to the remarks on the above subject in last year's report, it is only fair to state that the attention of the Government was first drawn to the matter by a valuable report by Mr. W. H. Skinner, the Commissioner of Crown Lands for Canterbury, who has always taken a keen interest in the preservation of scenic and historic places. Mr. Skinner drew particular attention to a number of rock and cave shelters in the limestone hills near Pleasant Point. These, shelters, which have been used as camping-grounds by the old-time .Maori fishers and bird-hunters, have the roofs and sides profusely decorated with ancient paintings in black and red of representations of human beings, birds, fish, and reptiles, and other figures difficult to decipher, but all Maori or Polynesian in their configuration. Many of these are decidedly archaic in design and execution. The paintings appeared to be of Ngati-Mamohe design or construction, but they may possibly be of Waitaha workmanship. (NoteWaitaha were the first of the Maori peoples to occupy the South Island, and are akin to the Moriori people of the Chathams.) The existence of these paintings have been known, of course, for years past to the owners of the land and a few others who take a special interest in the Polynesian races, but not to the general public. Attention had been more especially directed to them by the visit of a Mr. Ellmoie, an American, who made a speciality of tracing the rock-shelter paintings in various parts of the world, and drew the attention of the scientific portion of the community to their existence by lectures given to the various branches of the New Zealand Institute, depicting, amongst others that he, had collected, copies of these Maori ones. Arising out of Mr. Skinner's suggestions the matter was brought under the notice of the Director of the Dominion Museum, who made further valuable suggestions. Various Commissioners of Crown Lands have also supplied interesting reports on the " monuments "in their districts. Owing, however, to the great and increasing presure of work in the Department caused by land-settlement it has not yet been practicable to hold a meeting in Wellington at which the many proposals can be considered and dealt with, but it is hoped that during the current year it may be possible for the Scenerypreservation Board to hold a general meeting at which the Commissioner of Crown Lands for each district can be present together with other gentlemen interested in the subject, and the result of the joint conference should be of much interest and value. Local Scenic Boards. During the year local authorities were appointed to control scenic reserves as follows : llawera Borough Council (Turuturumokai Pa) ; Dunedin City Council (Kaikorai Valley Scenic Reserve). The term of the appointment of the Cape Kidnapper Bird Sanctuary Boar,l expired during the year, and as the members were willing Io accept further office the term of appointment was extended for another three years. Similar action was taken in regard to the Northcote Scenic Board,

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In addition to the foregoing, certain gentlemen were appointed honorary inspectors in respect to the following scenic reserves : Peel Forest and Raineliff Bush (Canterbury) ; Hawk's Crag, Mount Courtenay, Newton, and Glenhope (Buller Gorge, Nelson) : Ngongotaha Mountain (Rotorua, Aukland). The personnel of the Summit Road Scenic Reserves Board was increased by the appointment of fourteen additional members during the year. Inspector of Scenic Reserves. Mr. E. Phillips Turner, F.R.G.S., who had acted in the above capacity since 1908, was appointed Chief Officer of the Forestry Branch during the year, and consequently relinquished his position as Inspector. He has done valuable work in that position and has been of very great service to the Department. EXPENDITURE. The expenditure during the year was £3,589, out of which the cost of acquisition of lands amounted to £1,295. By a reference to the appended table it will be seen that, out of the £.100,000 authorized to be expended under the Scenery Preservation Act, £90,160 has now been expended. As was the case during the preceding twelve months, every care was taken to curtail expenditure.

Comparison of Expenditure.

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.

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v VyompeuHaiiiou 1 1 * e5r ' for Land. Mi 1 Compensation Fencing and Surveys, for Land. Maintenance. Valuations, &c. ouumgauu ourvoyn, «»m» Salaries Tl [aintenance. Valuations, Ac. Expenses. Board's Expenses. Salaries. Total. I £ 1904-5 .. 216 1905-6 .. .. 3,336 1906-7 .. .. 7,856 I 1907-8 .. .. 4,286 ' 1908-9 .. .. 3,813 1909-10 .. '.. 1,688 1910-11 .. .. 1,066 1911-12 .. 2,619 1912-13 .. 12,997 1913-14 .. 10,467 1914-15 .. .. 6,253 1915-16 .. 1,630 1916-17 .. .. 252 1917-18 .. 428 1918-19 .. .. 1,295 £ £ £ £ Nil 52 1,822 * 2 527 1,221 * . 5 304 801 185 * 9 382 555 86 175 5 1,063 540 24 325 5 1,159 2,603 Nil 325 5 685 1,643 11 325 3 715 2,237 22 345 5 798 2,697 6 345 16 627 1,547 3 365 13 758 476 12 388 7 698 104 6 390 2 836 76 1 390 1 602 114 3 390 1 fl,964 49 1 280 3 £ * * 175 325 325 325 345 345 365 388 390 390 390 280 £ 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 Grand total 90 90,160 * Included in Board's expenses. t Includes £1,750 paid to Summit Road Scenic Reserves Board.

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APPEN DICES.

APPENDIX A. Reserves made in 1918-19 under the Scenery Preservation Act, 1908, and its Amendments

Summary of Reserves. District, No. ArCii ' A. B. F. Auckland .. . . .. . . .. 3 345 0 0 Nelson . . .. .. .. .. .. 1 267 032 Westland .. .. .. .. .. 2 818 2 0 Southland .. .. . . .. .. 1 107 1 24 7 1,586 0 30 Reserved up to 31st March, 191.8 .. .. .. 505 305,421 233 512 307,007 3 23 Less reservations revoked .. .. .. .... 119 0 23 Grand totals .. .. ..512 306,888 3 0

2 § . Date of g£S .Local Nami'. Description. Area. Proclamation 2 5 in Gatetle. Auckland Land District. .1. a. v. 1918. \ Part Rotoma No. 1, Block X, Rotoma S.D. 66 o (I t . W - ! I •• ) Part Taumanu No. 1 a. Rotoma S.D. .. 21 2 II > '' - v - 44fl .. Section O.L.C. 15, Block II, Omapere S.D. 8 (I 8 29 Aup. Part Rotohokahoka D North No. 10 .. j 15 2 32 h Part Rotohokahoka D North No. 2is .. 70 1 0 307 Ngongotaha Mountain Part Rotohokahoka I.) South No. IOh .. 55 0 0 j 9 Nov. Part Rotohokahoka 1) South No. 10a .. 20 0 0 Part Rotohokahoka D South No. 9n .. 83 2 o Block IV, Horohoro S.D. — 345 0 0 Nelson Lund District. 427 Ratakura .. .. .. Sections6,7,11, 12, Block V, TotaranuiS.D. 267 0 32 15 Nov. Westland Land District. 428 Lady Lake .. .. .. Reserve 988, Block IX, Kopara. S. I). .. 693 2 0 \ 129 Limestone Caves, Marsden .. Reserve 704. Block I, Hohonu S. I). .. 125 0 0 ) I 818 2 0 Southland Laud District. S,.,-l ion 40, Block XIX, Jacob's River ! 107 1 24 ") 450 i Pourakino River Sccti.'ms'l'j, 63, Block XIX, Jacob's River 48 0 14 , f 80 Ma >" I Hundred —J 155 1 38 I I I Revocation or Reservations. Bmrmtlnn Area Date of Proclamation Wwriptlon. Area. n Gazette. I i a. ft. p. Section 4, Block XI, Tokatoka, S.I). .. .. .. .. .. 74 3 10 4 July, 1918. Section 5, Block V, Nukumaru S.D. .. .. .. .. .. 14 n «| ,,, „ , , .„,_ Section 6, Block V, Nukumaru S.D 18 3 24) 1 2 September, 1918. Section 15, Block X, Makotuku S.I). .. .. .. .. .. 8 2 Hi 24 October, 1918. Section 13, Block X, Makotuku S.I). .. .. .. .. ' .. I 3 30 21 November, 1918. Section 2 of Native Reserve K, Block XV, Hunda.lee S.I). . . .. .. 0 3 17 5 December, 1918. Total .. . . .. .. 119 0 23

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Statement of Accounts showing the Amounts expended and the Purpose to which Money so EXPENDED HAS BEEN APPLIED FOR THE YEAR ENDED SIST MARCH, 1919. £ s. d. Item 1, Salaries .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 279 11 8 Item 2. Administration of reserves and historic spots (including fencing and other works, and including grant of £1,750 to Summit Road Scenic Reserves Board)—- £ s. d. Salaries of caretakers .. .. .. .. 157 18 5 Travelling-expenses .. .. .. .. 31 4 5 Eradication of weeds .. .. .. .. 20 0 0 Providing and upkeep of fences on reserves .. .. 19 1 Legal costs .. . . .. .. .. 3 3 0 Payment to Summit Road Scenic Reserves Board for administration expenses and to pay off liabilities .. 1,750 0 0 1,963 14 11 Item 3.—Compensation for lands acquired under Scenery Preservation Act, 1908- - Ngapaeruru Scenic Reserve . . .. .. . . 229 2 5 Item 4. Compensation for lands acquired along the Wanganui River — Hauatara .. .. .. .. .. 94 17 0 Ngaporo .. .. .. .. .. 90 4 3 Waimarino C D Block .. .. .. 365 16 10 550 18 1 Item 5. Compensation for Native lands taken for scenery purposes (including historic spots) under the Public Works Act, 1908, and the Native Land Act, 1909 — Rotohokohoko D North No. 6 .. .. .. 425 0 0 Part Waiti-Kuianui 1 B V Block .. .. .. 23 5 1 Part Waitangi Block, Block X, Rotoma . . .. 52 1 9 Ngatira Scenic Reserve .. .. .. .. 14 13 7 Tongoio Scenic Reserve .. .. ~ 0011 515 I 4 Item 7.-—Expenses of Boards .. .. .. .. .. .. 10 0 Item 13.—Surveys, valuations, and incidental expenses — Survey Hundalee Reserve. . .. .. .. 20 0 0 Valuation fees .. .. .. .. .. 24 3 0 Advertising intention to take lands .. .. 5 5 8 49 8 8 £3,588 17 .1

APPENDIX B. Report of the Scenery-preservation Board. During the year ended 31st March, 1919, no meetings of the Board were held, owing to the activities of the Department of Lands and Survey, and particularly those of the local Commissioners of Crown Nands who are members of the Board, being devoted almost entirely to the pressing and arduous duties devolving upon them in connection with the settlement of discharged soldiers on the land. As it happened there was no particularly urgent matter that needed to he dealt with by the Board, otherwise a meeting of the Board to consider it would have been called. Soon after the close of the year, however, it was found practicable to hold some meetings, and the results will be detailed in next year's report. The Board has in contemplation a joint meeting of all the members of the Board and gentlemen interested in the preservation of historical monuments and sites, with a view to this important and interesting matter being dealt with in a comprehensive and sympathetic manner. If possible such a meeting will be held at an early date. With the cessation of the war it is intended to'report on several matters that unavoidably have had to stand over. E. H. Wilmot, Chairman, Scenery-preservation Board.

APPENDIX C. Kapiti Island. Kapiti Island lies off the coast of the Wellington District, nearly opposite Paraparaumu, and contains an area of 4,990 acres. Of this the Crown is the owner of approximately 4,348 acres, while the balance of 642 acres is held by Native ownership. Of the area in possession of the Crown, 1,779 acres is under forest. The island was acquired under the provisions of the Kapiti Island Public Reserves Act, 1897, for the purpose of a sanctuary for native fauna and flora, and as it contains most valuable plantformation it has been found very suitable for this purpose.

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The ]>resent caretaker, Mr. J. L. Bennett, has acted in this capacity for a number of years ; he evinces a keen interest in the protection of the bird and plant life of the island. The following extracts from Mr. Bennett's annual report may be found of general interest, and are published accordingly : " Bird-feed. —Owing to the wet spring and the north-west gales in March the bird-feed will not be very plentiful this coining winter. " Ttws.— All the tuis left the island on the 18th March and returned on the 24th August. They are not as plentiful now as before they left, but are still very numerous. On the 29th May Mr. W. H. Field, M.P., at a meeting of the Wellington Acclimatization Society, spoke of the reappearance of the tuis in the Waikanae district. The tuis no doubt came from Kapiti. From all accounts there are very few tuis at present at Waikanae ; they have returned home to Kapiti. " Opossums. —ln many parts of the bush the damage done by opossums is noticeable. Kohekohe, mahoe, and passion-flower vine are among the plants that most frequently show the marks of being attacked. There are several groups of dead fuchsia-trees killed by opossums. Systematic trapping has been carried out, and a great many of the fuchsia-trees are showing signs of recovery. Some are too far gone to recover, but the majority of them will be n good heart in a year or two, now that the danger to them is understood and steps are being taken to save them. " Land exchanged. —During the year all the Native interests have been so arranged that they are now confined to the north end—4s chains of fencing being required to finish the boundary-fence."

Approximate Cott of Paper.— Preparation, not siren; printing (1,000 copies), f7.

Authority : Marcus F. Marks, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9l9.

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