DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY. SCENERY-PRESERVATION. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1923, 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, 1923 Session I-II, C-06

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Session 11. 1923. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY. SCENERY-PRESERVATION. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1923, 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, MOM.

Sir, — Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, sth June, 1923. I have the honour to submit herewith report on scenery-preservation for the twelve months ended 31st March, 1923. 1 have, &c, J. B. Thompson, Under-Secretary for Lands. The Hon. D. H. Guthrie, Minister in Charge of Scenery-preservation, Wellington.

REPORT.

Reservations in Year. Although financial considerations prevented the purchase of much land for scenic purposes during the year, it was found practicable to proclaim no less than 64,000 acres of land, of which, however, 60,000 acres was comprised in one reserve taken out of the West Coast Sounds National Park. The areas that were set aside comprised : — In the North Auckland District 58 acres in the Waipu Gorge were acquired from the owners and taken under the Public Works Act. The reserve is on the banks of the Piroa Stream, and is covered with bush, a fair amount of which is totara. The preservation of the beautiful scenery of the gorge is undoubtedly an asset to the attractions of the district. The Poor Knights Islands, north-east of Whangarei, had been previously set aside for lighthouse purposes, but with the object of conserving the flora and fauna a clause was inserted in the Reserves and other Lands Disposal and Public Bodies Empowering Bill which brought them under the Scenery IVeservation Act, subject to a continuance of any rights and powers, except those of leasing and exchanging, now vested in the Minister of Marine with regard to lighthouse-sites. A very beautiful reserve on the outskirts of Papakura. was acquired under the provisions of the Public Works Act from the. owner. It has been known locally as " Kirk's Bush," and the whole property had been subdivided with a view to private sale in building allotments. The Government,

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however, purchased the greater part of the bush in order that this well-known scenic attraction might be preserved for all time. On the Mangakahia River an additional area of 15 acres was acquired, and will help to further safeguard the beautiful scenery of this locality. In the Auckland District two areas of bush close to the Tarawera Chasm, near Waimangu, were formally proclaimed, and a small area of 19 acres, facing the Tauranga Harbour at Katikati, was also set aside for the preservation of scenery. The latter is a steep face covered with scattered pohutukawa-trees, and fronts a sandy beach on the foreshore. In the Hawke's Bay District an area of beautiful native bush alongside the main Motu-Opotiki Road was secured for scenic reservation. It had formerly been reserved for educational purposes, but by means of exchange for Crown land was acquired under the Scenery Preservation Act, whilst an area of 90 acres of native bush in the Elsthorpe Settlement, between Patangata and the sea, which had been reserved from sale when the settlement was acquired some twenty-five years ago, was formally proclaimed under the Scenery Preservation Act. In the Taranaki District extensive areas of native bush along the Tangarakau Gorge were secured and set aside under the Act. Parts of the area had been Crown land, while other parts had been set aside as State forests. A mutual arrangement was, however, made with the State Forest Service, and those lands which it is deemed advisable to keep permanently reserved for scenic purposes were duly secured and gazetted. In the Marlborough District four areas of native bush were proclaimed under the Scenery Preservation Act, and help to protect the scenery in the Marlborough Sounds. Two of them are situated in Nydia Bay, in the Pelorus Sound, and another at Fairy Bay, the latter completing a scenic reservation along the shores of Stag Cove and Fairy Bay. The remaining area is situated in the Hundalee district, alongside the road from Blenheim to Kaikoura, and travellers thereon will appreciate the fact that the scenic attractions of the coast have been preserved by the Government. The remaining reserve was in the Southland District, where an area of 60,000 acres was taken from the Sounds National Park and brought under the provisions of the Scenery Preservation Act. It lies to the west of the Monowai Lake and the Monowai River, and includes mountainous and rugged country surrounding the lake and the locality. As the Southland Electric-power Board has its works in the immediate vicinity, it was deemed advisable to bring this area under the Act in order that the Board and its officers could exercise control over the reserve and prevent damage being done to the bush by visitors and others. Reservations effected. The total reservations that have been made since the passing of the Scenery Preservation Act in 1903 now total 725, of an aggregate area of 430,596 acres ; and, as pointed out in previous reports, they comprise the bulk of scenic attractions in the Dominion, including the fine cliffs and bush-clad banks of the Wanganui River; many thermal and scenic areas around Rotorua and the adjacent lakes ; mountains and forest-covered banks of streams, lakes, and rivers ; the magnificent kauri forest in the Kaihu district formerly owned by Mr. Trounson ; together with extensive areas which, in addition to the national parks, the Government has set aside in order to preserve for all time the best parts of the scenery and the indigenous forests of the Dominion. Lake Waikaremoana. In 1895 an area of forest lands on the south side of the lake had been permanently reserved for forest purposes, but the forest on the north shores of the lake still belonged to the Native owners. Last year, by means of negotiations with them, it was found practicable to arrange an exchange by which 22,000 acres of forest lands of inferior soil-quality extending along the north shore will be handed over to the Government in exchange for 848 acres of land of the Tapui Estate, admirably suitable for farming and settlement by the Natives. Seeing that extensive hydro-electric works have already been constructed to utilize the power furnished by the lake, it is very important that for utilitarian as well as aesthetic purposes the whole of the magnificent forest lands along the star-shaped lake should bo maintained for all time in its pristine beauty, and the acquisition of this large block of forest from the Native owners is of national importance. Rotoiti Scenic Reserves. A further area of 59 acres of the beautiful bush-clad land on the shores of Lake Rotoiti has been ceded to the Crown by the Natives. This area comprises portion of the old Rotoiti Native Township, which was subdivided under the Native Townships Act, 1895, but never developed into a township. At a representative meeting of the Native owners it was decided to donate a portion of the land to the public for scenic purposes, provided the Crown compensated the sawmillers who had secured cuttingrights, and also wrote off the survey charges incurred in connection with the original township subdivision. The necessary legislation to give effect to the proposal was provided under section 31 of the Native Land Amendment and Native Land Claims Adjustment Act, 1.922, and all arrangements in connection with the scenic area have now been completed. Local control of the reserve will be vested in the Lake Rotoiti Scenic Board, which has already been set up under section 13 of the Scenery Preservation Act, 1908, and section 33 of the Native Land Amendment and Native Land Claims Adjustment Act, 1919,

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Supervision of Reserves. During the year local Scenic Boards were appointed or reappointed as follows : Te Kuiti Borough Council, to control portion of the Mangaokewa Gorge Reserve ; Waipukurau Borough Council, to control the Tukituki River Reserve ; Silverstream Scenic Board, to control the Silverstream Reserve in the Hutt Valley ; Nelson City Council, to control the Ururakau Reserve ; Peel Forest Scenic Board, to control the Peel Forest Reserves ; Haehae-te-Moana Scenic Board, to control the Haehae-te-Moana Reserves, Four Peaks ; Papatowai Scenic Board, to control the Papatowai Bush, Tahakopa Beach, and McLennan River Reserves ; and the Southland Electric-power Board, to control the Lake Monowai Reserve. The preservation of scattered scenic reserves is a matter of some anxiety ; but, wherever possible, honorary inspectors are apjiointed, and this policy will be continued. The inspectors are of great assistance to the Department in exercising general supervision and reporting any acts of vandalism that may occur. The State Forest Service has also afforded a great deal of assistance, and thanks are due for its ready co-operation, marked during the year by the appointment of twenty-six forest rangers as honorary inspectors. Other appointments made include those of Messrs. F. Earl, K.C., R. L. Levin, Rahuruhi Pururu, Wiremu Waaka Kameta, Hohopa Maaka, Rangiahua Patenc, Ngataiawhio te Ruahuihui, Whata Karaka, and Te Hikanui Mita as inspectors for the Lake Rotoiti Reserves ; and of W. Chapman, W. H. H. George, J. H. Hornblow, S. W. Marsh, and A. O. Sorenson for various reserves throughout the Dominion. Comparison of Expenditure. It is interesting to note how money raised under the Act has been expended. It will be seen that the cost of administration has been reduced to a very small proportion of the total expenditure.

It must be noted that the above expenditure does not include expenses of raising loans and recoupments of interest, &c. 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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Year. Compensation for Land. Fencing and Surveys, Board's „ , . Maintenance. Valuations, &o. Expenses. Total. 1904-5 .. 1905-6 .. 1906-7 .. 1907-8 .. 1908-9 .. 1909-10 .. 1910-11 .. 1911-12 .. 1912-13 .. 1913-14 .. 1914-15 .. 1915-16 .. 1916-17 .-. 1917-18 .. 1918-19 .. 1919-20 .. 1920-21 .. 1921-22 .. 1922-23 .. £ 216 3,336 7,856 4,286 3,813 1,688 1,066 2,619 12,997 10,467 6,253 1,530 252 428 1,295 510 3,031 57,768 6,306 £ £ £ £ Nil 52 1,822 * 527 1,221 * 304 801 185 * 382 555 86 175 1,063 540 24 325 1,159 2,603 Nil 325 685 1,643 11 325 715 2,237 22 315 798 2,697 6 345 627 1,547 3 365 758 476 12 388 698 104 6 390 836 76 1 390 602 114 3 390 1,964| 49 1 280 188 12 .. 40 471 299 .. 25 227 224 .. 25 377 290 .. 25 i £ 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 3,589 750 2,825 58,244 6,998 I Grand toti ,1 158,977 * Included in Boi ird's expenses. f Includes £1,750 paid to .Summit Road Scenic Reservi 3 Board.

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APPENDICES.

APPENDIX A. Reserves made in 1922-23 under the Scenery Preservation Act, 1908, and its Amendments.

Revocation of Reservations.

~,. L Summary of Reserves. „ A rea District. No. A JJ p North Auckland .. .. .. .. .. 4 881 3 5 Auckland .. .. ..2 31 0 7 Hawke's Bay .. .. .. .. ..2 173 1 9 Taranaki .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 1,452 0 0 Marlborough .. .. .. .. .. 4 1,562 0 0 Southland .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 60,100 0 0 Totals .. .. .. .. ..14 64,200 0 21 Reserved up to 31st March, 1922 .. .. ..713 366,483 2 5 727 430,683 2 26 Less reservations revoked .. .. .. .. 2 87 125 Grand totals .. .. .. ..725 430,596 1 1

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a a-S . gffc a Local Name. Description. Area. Date of Proclamation. 456 510 North Auckland Land District, f Parish of Wairau, Waipu S.D. — w • ,, J Portion of Section 137, Block V vv aipu i^orge.. .. < p ortion of Sections 138 and 13!), Blocks V [ and IX Hauraki Gulf .. .. Poor Knights Islands .. Kirk's Bush.. .. .. Lots 1 and 15 to 22,1). P. 15387, parts Allotments 8 and 11 and part closed road, Parish of Opaheke, Block IV, Drury S.D. Mangakahia River .. .. Section 2, Block ill, Tutamoe S.D. A. R. P. 4 2 0 54 0 ti 800 0 0 7 2 5-7 10/5/22 10/5/22 * 3/10/22 519 15 3 0 24/2/23 505 506 Auckland Land District. Waimangu .. .. .. Sections 0 and 7, Block XV, Tarawera S.D. Tahawai Scenic Reserve .. j Section I, Block VI, Kali kali S.D. 112 7 19 2 0 23/0/22 20/7/22 411 Hawke's Bay hand, District. Whitikau Seenio Reserve .. Portion of Section 2, .Block I, Urutawa East S.D. Elsthorpe Scenic Reserve .. Sections 30 and 32, Block VII, Oero S.D. 81 2 0 19/5/22 511 91 3 9 31/5/22 Taranaki Land District. 516 Pouatu S.D.— Blocks III and IV .. Seotion 11, Block III Tangarakau Gorge Scenic Re- -; Section 12, Block' 111 serves I'ait of Section 1, Block III .. Part of Section 1, Block III Part of Section 10, Forest Reserve, L Block 111 812 0 0 04 0 0 28 0 0 119 0 0 39 0 0 390 0 0 24/2/23 24/2/23 24/2/23 t t t 453 400 Marlborough Land District. Fairy Bay .. .. .. Section 1 I, Block VI I, Oriori S. D. Omihi Scenic Reserve .. Section I, Block X, Huiidaloe S.D. (formerly part of Small Grazing-run 92) Nydia Bay Scenic Reserve .. Section 1, Block V, Tennyson S.D. At Nydia Bay .. .. Section 6, Block IV, Orieri S.D. 200 0 0 05 0 0 24/4/22 6/12/22 454 455 347 0 0 944 0 0 20/12/22 24/3/23 Southland Land District. Lake Monowai Scenic Reserves . . ] Monowai, Cleughearn, and Hauroko S.D. .. 60,100 0 0 3/10/22 514 .. 1 * Si itlier L; action 4 of the Reserves and otlier Lands Disposal and Public Bodies Empowering Act, 11)22. inds Disposal and Public Bodies Empowering Act, 1022. t Section 140 of the Iteserves and

Land. Area. Date of Proclamation in Gazette. Section 28 (formerly portion of Section 13), Block XII, Kaitieke S.D., Wellington Land District Portion of Waimarino CD No. 3g, Block I, Owatua S.D., Wellington Land District Portions of Waitangi and Taumanu Blocks, being Section 3, Block X, Rotoma S.D., Auckland Land District Motu Kahaua (Happy Bay Island), in the Hauraki Gulf, Auckland Land District Part of Section 4, Block VI, Hunua S.D., Wellington Band District. . A. B. P. 8 3 0 29/3/22 17 3 0 9 3 28 31/5/22 18/9/22 40 0 0 10 3 37 30/9/22 4/12/22 Total .. 87 1 25

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Scenery Preservation Account. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ended 31st March, 1923. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Cash in Public Account, Ist April, 1922 .. 3,112 16 7 Salaries .. .. .. .. 25 0 0 Rents .. .. .. .. 1,027 18 11 Compensation, &c., in connection with Sales .. .. .. .. 10 0 0 lands taken under the Scenery PresorvaNew Zoaland Loans Act, 1908,— tion Act . . .. '. . .. 125 0 0 Scenery Preservation Act, 1908, and Compensation for Native lands taken for Finance Act, 1921-22, Section 23 — scenery-preservation purposes .. 70 14 6 Debentures issued.. .. .. 9,000 0 0 Mokau River Scenic Reserve: Compensation for land acquired on south bend of Mokau River for scenic purposes .. 2,330 0 0 Kirk's Bush, Papakura, Acquisition of .. 1,525 18 7 Kaituna Scenic Reserve, Contribution towards purchase of (subsidy, £1 for £1) 400 0 0 Puketarata 4n Block, near Wanganui, Acquisition of .. .. .. 540 17 3 Elsthorpe Settlement: Payment of capital value of Sections 30 and' 32 .. .. 413 0 0 Ngaruru Bay Scenic Reserve, Acquisition of 866 6 10 Tames Mountain: Acquisition oi part Section 14, Wairau Parish .. .. 449 15 11 Ti'ounson's Kauri Forest, Charges in connection with acquisition and maintenance of .. .. .. .. 967 9 10 Turuturumokai Pa Scenic Reserve: Cost of planting native trees .. .. 40 4 5 Waipu Gorge Scenic Reserve: Acquisition of part Section 137-9, Wairau Parish .. 175 10 0 Whangarei Borough Scenic Reserve : Contribution towards purchase (subsidy, £1 for£l) .. .. .. .. 683 3 0 Whitikau Scenic Reserve, Capital value of 123 0 0 Surveys, valuations, and incidental expenses .. .. .. .. 290 1 9 Administration of reserves, — Salaries of caretakers and allow- £ s. d. ances .. .. 10 0 0 Travelling-expenses .. 9 11 Eradication of noxious weeds 93 16 11 Advertising, &c. . . .. 2 3 0 Krcelion and upkeep of fences 241 (i 8 Law-costs .. 16 17 8 Printing and stationery .. 316 0 377 1 4 9,403 3 5 Less recovery from Public Works Department, representing one-third cost of acquisition of land at Lake Waikaremoana watershed .. .. .. 2,405 811 6,997 14 6 Recoupments under the Finance Act, 1919, Section 4, — Interest .. .. .. .. 2,006 17 0 New Zealand Loans Act, 1908, — Scenery Preservation Act, 1908, and Finance Act, 1921-22, Section 21 — Charges and expenses of raising loans 6 5 0 Balance at end of year —("ash in Public Account, 31st March, 1922 .. .. 4,139 1!) 0 £13,150 15 6 £13,180 15 6 Loan Account for the Year ended 31st March, 1923. £ s. d. £ s. d. To Balance, 31st March, 1923 .. .. 163,000 0 0 By Balance at Ist April, 1922 .. .. 154,000 0 0 Debentures issued during year .. 9,000 0 0 £163,000 0 0 £163,000 0 0 J. H. O'Donnell, Chief Accountant, Lands and Survey Department.

APPENDIX B. Report of the Scenery Preservation Board. During the year the following meetings were held in the office, of the Surveyor-General: On the 20th October, 1922, and 14th March, 1923, dealing with matters in North Auckland Land District; 7th July, 1922, and 14th March, 1923, Auckland and Wellington Land Districts ; 7th July, 1922, Southland Land District; 14th March, 1923, Hawke's Bay, Taranaki, Wellington, and Canterbury Land Districts.

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In addition, a special meeting was held on the 9th January, 1923, to consider the reservation of forest-covered areas in the upper reaches of the Wanganui River, at which were present the SurveyorGeneral (Chairman) ; the Under-Secretary, Native Department; the General Manager, Tourist Department; the Commissioners of Crown Lands, Auckland, Taranaki, and Wellington Districts ; together with the Director of Forestry and the Secretary, State Forest Service. Valuable recommendations were made by the Board, after full discussion of the whole of the circumstances. During the year nine recommendations were submitted by the Board to His Excellency the Governor-General regarding the acquisition and reservation of lands for scenic purposes throughout the Dominion. It may be pointed out that for many years, on account of financial stringency, the Board has refrained from personally inspecting lands suggested as suitable for reservation under the Act, and has based its recommendations solely upon the reports furnished by the Commissioner of Crown Lands for the district and his officers. Whilst these reports arc admitted to be very reliable, it is undoubtedly desirable that the Board should itself inspect areas when large questions are involved. This was done in former years when reservations were recommended along the North Island Main Trunk Railway line, the Wanganui River, Marlborough Sounds, Mokau River, &c, and the practice might be continued in the future when circumstances justify such action. In conclusion, it may be stated that the Board uses its utmost endeavours to ensure that the lands recommended for acquisition are well worthy of permanent preservation. W. T. NEILL, Chairman.

Extracts from Reports of Local Scenic Boards. Summit Road Scenic Reserves Board (Christchurch). The general condition of the reserves is very good. There is no evidence of the bush dying out — indeed, the reverse is the case, as where the reserves are fenced against trespass by cattle the bush is spreading. Seedlings are very numerous, which shows that under proper care against the trespass of cattle, and the prevention of fires, native bush thrives and spreads, notwithstanding the fact that the area' may be quite small. This is particularly evidenced by the fact that Kennedy's Bush, which is only the remnant of a once large area, is not only in a flourishing condition, but seedlings can be counted by the thousand. Mr. Ell is confident that, providing fires can be kept out and the reserve so fenced as to keep rabbits out, and providing no grazing is allowed of any description, this bush in twenty-five years will spread over the whole gully. When the bush returns there is little doubt that the bird-life will become more plentiful. The observations made herein referring to Kennedy's Bush apply with equal force to the other reserves under control of the Board. One urgent need at the present time is the fencing of all the reserves. The Board is not at present in a position to do this, but as its financial position improves this work will be undertaken. The following reserves are unfenced : The Major's Scenic Reserve ; Mount Pleasant; Mount Cavendish ; Witch Hill; Coronation Hill; Reserve No. 3064 ; Reserve No. 3002 ; the three reserves on Mount Sinclair ; Mount Fitzgerald, and the reserve on south-western slope of Mount Fitzgerald ; possibly, also, Knight's Bush, proposed to be acquired. Parkinson's Bush should be fenced at the earliest possible date. It is considered by Mr. Ell that the last two reserves can bo developed into a valuable native-bird sanctuary. He is also very confident of importing other birds into the sanctuary, providing all grazing is put a stop to and a resident caretaker can be found to look after the place. He has already received offers of assistance in connection with the transport of native birds from other parts. With the growth of the bush on the lower levels of these two reserves there will be provided not only shelter but food. There is no resident caretaker at Kaituna, but there is one at Kennedy's Bush, who is also responsible for the care of Cooper's Knobs and Ahuriri Bush Reserves. Mr. Ell has been working for many years to secure Sugarloaf Hill, which is directly opposite, and has been for some time in communication with the Minister of Lands about the completion of the purchase of this fine hill for the benefit of the public. A Government subsidy of £250 a year for two years has been approved on condition that the public find £250 a year for two years. Upon receipt of this information Mr. Ell immediately entered upon a canvass to collect the £250 for the first year, and he is meeting with very good success and is quite confident of collecting the amount required. The money collected he is paying into the Bank of New Zealand to the credit of two trustees —Mr. David Bates, who is a member of the Board, and Mr. J. L. Scarwell, a well-known Christchurch citizen. Subsequently at the meeting of the Board it was announced by Mr. G. Harper, solicitor, one of the Board members, that he had received a communication from two gentlemen resident in the district that they had each decided to donate £500 towards the purchase of the reserve. These very generous donations, together with money in hand and the Government subsidy, should enable the Board to carry out the purchase and perhaps complete the erection of a rabbit-proof fence round the reserve, the erection of which was a condition of the sale. It is hoped to do something towards planting the land with suitable native plants, and the fencing will help to protect these. The Board's main source of income has been derived from the " Sign of the Kiwi." The public of Christchurch and Canterbury should be very grateful .to Mr. J. Cracroft Wilson for the very generous reduction in the price of Sugarloaf Hill which he has made. Interest in the overdraft incurred by the Summit Road Association has been met, and £50 paid off the principal. It is hoped that in the future payments in reduction of the overdraft can be made at a greater rate, so as to relieve the gentlemen concerned of the liability so generously guaranteed by them.

G. 11. Bulla uu, Chairman.

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New Plymouth Scenic Reserves Board. Only one meeting of the Board was held during the year, on the 15th August, 1922, when the annual report and balance-sheet were adopted. Members have, however, kept in touch with the various reserves under the control of the Board, and. these are in a satisfactory condition. Mr. Follett Carrington was appointed to the Board in July to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. S. Percy Smith, F.R.G.S. At the annual meeting the chairman and other members eulogized the work of Mr. Smith in connection with all matters in regard to scenery-preservation. Dr. Leatham resigned from the Board at the end of the year, and steps are being taken to appoint a successor in the person of Mr. W. W. Smith, who has had long experience in work of this nature. The lease held by Mr. H. J. Major over Ratapihipihi Reserve was determined during the year, as Mr. Walsh, a proposed transferee, was not complying with the conditions and allowed his cattle to damage the bush. A lease for five years at a nominal rental has been granted to Mr. A. R. Gudopp, and he has ploughed the open portion, on which the blackberry would soon have taken charge, and now has it in crop. On the edge of the bush where it is not possible to plough he has chained goats to eat the weeds down. It was intended to undertake protective works at the Meeting of the Waters Reserve to prevent erosion by the river, but it was found that this would prove to be beyond our means ; fortunately no further erosion has taken place. Additional fencing on this reserve has been put in hand, and the clearing of the blackberry has been attended to. Royalty on gravel and boulders amounting to £60 6s. 6d. has been received from the Taranaki County Council during the year. The High Schools Board have greatly improved the area in their lease of Puketi Pa, which they hold at a peppercorn rental. They have cleared the gorse and blackberry which prevented access to the pa, and have also erected fencing as arranged with the members of the Board, the site of the old pa being now protected. Pukerangiora Pa has not been inspected recently, but it is in the hands of a capable farmer, who will attend to the clearing of the gorse and blackberry without damaging the old sap leading up to the redoubt. Pukemiro and Onaero Reserves will require some expenditure during this year on the clearing of ragwort and gorse around the edge of the bush. The fences on this reserve are in good condition. During the year the Okoki Pa was brought under the control of the Board. The top of the pa is now overgrown with bush, and part has been used as a burial-ground. This is probably the oldest pa on the Taranaki coast, and is a splendid monument of a Maori fortress. One hundred years ago it was the stronghold of Te Rauparaha when he fought and vanquished the Waikatos on the plain to the seaward of the pa. The titoki-tree on which the bodies of the Waikato chiefs were hung prior to the cannibal feast is included in the reserve, and is in a good state of preservation, although the branch which was used as a gallows is broken off. The battlefield is now under cultivation, and Maoris were working a reaper-and-binder at the date of the last visit of inspection. The afternoon tea and fruit-cake served by the wahines to the toilers would have done credit to any city tea-room. The grazing of the pa is let to Mr. Blcakley on condition that he keeps it clear of gorse, and he is achieving this very effectively. Although the Huatoki Scenic Reserve is not under the control of the Board, members have been interested, in the work carried out there by the local committee during the year. This reserve is within easy walking-distance of the town, and a portion has been cleared and grassed, walks have been out through the bush, swimming-pools formed, &c. It is proposed to add a further area of Crown land to this reserve. A grant of £15 was made by the Department for fencing. This reserve will eventually be one of the most popular of our scenic resorts. I have seen more tuis in this piece of bush than in any similar area in the Taranaki District. H. J. Lowe, Chairman.

APPENDIX C. Kapiti Island. As a result of the visit of the Advisory Board to Kapiti last year certain work was undertaken that is expected to assist in the regeneration of the forest and the protection of the native birds. A substantial sheep-proof fence has been erected on portion of the boundary between the land owned by the Crown and that owned by the Natives, with the object of excluding all stock from the sanctuary. The new fence must be extended or the old one substantially repaired, and it is hoped that this will be done during the coming year. Two hundred and seventy-nine goats were killed during the year. It is estimated that the surviving ones do not exceed eighty in number. They have taken refuge on the steep faces at the south-west end of the island and at the mouth of Taepiro Creek. They are not now present in such numbers as to do serious damage, but the work of extermination is an obvious necessity and must be continued.

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A more pressing matter is the removal or the destruction of sheep. Some of them are the property of Native owners who use the native land at the north end of the island for grazing purposes, but most of them are the offspring of animals that ran wild many years ago. Ample time and opportunity have been given for the removal of all privately owned stock, and more vigorous measures for ridding the sanctuary of their presence will now be adopted. Opossums have been greatly reduced in numbers. During the year 2,292 were taken, and the tally for the coming season is expected to fall much below this. Only two cats were seen, and both were destroyed. As a safe retreat for our native birds the sanctuary is fulfilling its purpose satisfactorily. Species now rarely seen on the mainland are present in fair numbers, and the native wood-pigeon certainly shows a marked increase. The advisory Board is considering the introduction of species not now represented on the island, and this matter will be followed up during the coming year. Thos. Brook, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing (725 copies), £10 15s.

By Authority : W. A. G. Skinner, Government Printer, Wellington.—l 923.

Price 6d.]