DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY. SCENERY-PRESERVATION. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1924, 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, 1924 Session I, C-06

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1924. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY. SCENERY-PRESERVATION. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1924, 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.

Sir, — Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, sth June, 1924. I have the honour to submit herewith report on scenery-preservation for the twelve months ended 31st March, 1924. I have, &c, J. B. Thompson, Under-Secretary for Lands. The Hon. D. H. Guthrie, Minister in Charge of Scenery-preservation, Wellington.

REPOE T. Some very good work was accomplished during the year in reserving areas of Crown lands for scenic purposes. In the Auckland Land District 59 acres of beautiful bush lying between Lake Rotoiti and Hongi track wore acquired from the Native owners by negotiation and added to the existing scenic reservations around the lake. The control of these reserves is in the hands of a local Scenic Board, comtjosed of member's of the Native race belonging to Ngati-pikiao Hapu. A few small areas around the shores of Kawhia Harbour were also sot apart under the Act, and will preserve the fascinating scenery of this land-locked harbour. In. the Hawke's Bay Land District an area of bush land on the banks of the Tongoio Stream, above the falls, was proclaimed for scenic purposes. In the Taranaki District extensive reservations were made of land on the Wanganui River bank above Pipiriki, embracing the beautiful Papakino Roach, the Ngaporo Rapids, and other phases of magnificent scenery on the upper reaches of the Wanganui River. In this manner areas aggregating 4,000 acres of forest-clad land have been proclaimed for permanent reservation. In the Wellington Land District areas on the Wellington side of the Wanganui River have been similarly reserved, and have added another 3,000 acres to the existing reservations. There is no doubt that in the years to come these reserves will be amongst the most attractive in the Dominion, and will continue as splendid specimens of our unique scenery. In addition a few scattered areas in other parts of the district were also set apart for the benefit of the residents of the localities concerned. In the Nelson Land District a small area at Mount Balloon, comprising 40 acres, was sot apart for the convenience of travellers, &c, and a fine area of about 800 acres on the Porarari River bank, near Brighton, was proclaimed under the Act, as well as some areas at Stockton ; all these various scenic resorts being covered with native bush. In, the Marlborough Land District an area of 143 acres at Yncyca Bay was cut off from a farmer's holding and reserved for scenic purposes, the land being unsuitable for farming operations ; whilst some of the finest scenery which surrounds Tennyson Inlet, in the Marlborough Sounds, was proclaimed under the Scenery Preservation Act, having been withdrawn from occupation by landless Natives, who were duly compensated therefor. This lovely stretch of scenery is very beautiful, and can be fairly easily reached, and is undoubtedly one of the greatest scenic attractions in the Dominion. In the Canterbury Land District an area at Kaituna Valley was proclaimed for scenic purposes, and will be much appreciated by the residents in the locality. Although the scenic reservation was revoked over 33 acres of land during the year, there now exist no loss than 749 separate scenic reserves, with an aggregate area of 444,924 acres ; and it may safely be said that the beauty of the scenery comprised in these reserves is unsurpassed throughout

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the world. Visitors from abroad as well as our own people unite in praising the beautiful characteristics and features of our national scenery, and as years go on the value of the reservations that have been made will be more and more appreciated. A great deal of work has been done, but much still remains to be accomplished, and as opportunity permits suitable private land will bo secured and areas of Crown land will be surveyed and added to the existing reservations. Supervision of Reserves. During the year local Scenic Boards were appointed or reappointed as follows : Birkenhead Borough Council, to control the Birkenhead Scenic Reserve ; Katikati Hot Springs Scenic Board, to control the Katikati Hot Springs Scenic Reserve ; Dannevirke Borough Council, to control parts Makirikiri Scenic Reserve ; Taihape Scenic Reserves Board, to control the Taihape Scenic Reserves : Rangitikei County Council, to control the Rangiwaea Scenic Reserve ; Haetihi Borough Council, to control the Raetihi Scenic Reserves ; Rangitikei County Council, to control the Silverhope Scenic Reserve ; Dunedin City Council, to control the Evansdale Glen Scenic Reserve ; Haehae-te-Moana Scenic Board, to control the Haebae-te-Moana Scenic Reserves. The following gentlemen were appointed honorary Inspectors under the Act for various reserves throughout the Dominion: Messrs H. J. Shepherd, J. N. Cussen, Andrew Screiber, P. C. Rose, A.. W. Kenderdine, A. R. Gudopp, Samuel Topliss, Alfred Flower, James Fletcher, O. G. Parr, and James Hunter, M.D. Marlborougb Scenic Reserves. The beautiful reserves in south Marlborough, through which the main tourist coach route passes south of the Clarence River on its way to Kaikoura and Christchurch, have come through the season remarkably well, and have suffered no damage whatever through flood, drought, or fire. In north Marlborough, and more particularly in the Sounds, damage was done by fire to two of our beautiful reserves. The Bay of Many Coves, and Te Weka Reserve, in the Kenepuru, both suffered. In the former case the cause is wrapped in mystery, whilst in the latter a fire ran in from an adjoiningproperty. Considering the number of exposed points in the Sounds that have been reserved for scenery-preservation purposes, it is remarkable how fortunate wo have been in having so little damage done by fires. The beautiful reserve at Pelorus Bridge, on the main Blenheim-Nelson coach route, is becoming more popular every year for picnic parties from both Blenheim and Nelson. The suggested reward to persons who give information securing the conviction of persons found damaging reserves should go a long way towards mitigating the evil, and plenty of printed notices, together with periodical advertisements in the local newspapers, will also assist in the protection of scenic reserves. 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.

* Included in Board's expenses. f Includes £1,750 paid to Summit Road Scenic Reserve Board. It must be noted that the above expenditure does not include expenses of raising loans and recoupment 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. C. Kapiti Island. D. North Auckland Scenic Reserves.

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Year. Compensation for Land. Fencing and Maintenance. Surveys, Valuations, &c. Board's Expenses. Salaries. Total. I 1904-5 .. 1905-6 .. 1906-7 .. 1907-8 .. L908-9 .. 1909-10 .. 1910 II .. 1911-12 .. 1912-13 .. 1913-14 .. 1914-15 .. 1915-16 .. 1916-17 .. 1917-18 .. 1918-19 .. 1919-20 .. 1920-21 .. 1921-22 .. 1922-23 .. 1923-24 .. £ 21.6 3,336 7,856 4,286 3,813 1,688 1,066 2,619 12,997 1.0,467 6,253 1,530 252 428 1,295 510 3,031 57,768 6,306 1.488 £ Nil 304 382 I ,063 1,159 685 715 798 627 758 698 836 602 l,964t 188 471 227 377 118 £ 52 527 801 555 540 2,603 1,643 2,237 2,697 1,547 476 104 76 114 49 12 299 224 290 1,589 £ 1,822 1,221 185 86 24 Nil II 22 6 3 12 6 1 3 1 £ I * * 175 325 325 325 345 345 365 ' 388 390 390 390 280 40 25 25 25 25 £ 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 3.210 Grand total 162,187

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APPENDICES.

APPENDIX A. Reskrves made in 1923-24 under the Scenery Preservation Act, 1908, and its Amendments

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il 24>° Local Name. Description. Area, Ditto of <v a 1 ** Proclamation. a i|. ojs o «! a. „.. Auckland Ljtnd District. A. B, t. 528 528 Rotoiti .. .. .. Part of Rotoiti Township, Block IX, Rotoma 50 I il 4/5/23* S.D. I Part of Section 7, Block X, Kawhia South 162 1 0 23/6/23 1 n D 181 Ivawhia Harbour .. <j KS(!C .t] ou i (ij Block XIV, Kawhia North S.D. I 74 0 0 5/2/24 L Section 2, Block X, Kawhia North S.D... ! :i , 4 1 8 5/2/24 181 llawke's Lay Land District. 52!) [ Tongoio Stream .. .. | Section 13,' Block IV, Puketapvt S.D. .. 44 3 4 | 28/7/23 52!) Taranaki Land District. '{ Section 17, Block VII, Heao S.D. .. 93 0 0 18/7/2:1 532 Opatu .. .. \ Section 19, Block VII, Heao S.D. .. 80 ;1 0 18/7/23 I Section 8, Block XII, Heao S.D. .. 94 0 0- 18/7/23 532 Papakino Reach .. .. Section 1, Block III, Kiri S.D. .. .. 663 0 0 18/7/23 f Section 1, Block XII, Mahoe S.D. .. 1,241 0 0 18/7/23 532 Omaruliha .. .. \ Section 1, Block XVI, Mahoe S.D. .. 127 0 0 18/7/23 [ Section 2, Block XVI, Mahoe S.D. ... 77!) 0 0 18/7/23 532 Ngaporo .. .. .7 Section 2. Block VI, Omara S.D. .. 1,204 0 0 18/7/23 532 532 532 5112 Wellington Land District. I Part of Lot 2 of Section 27, Block IX, 2 3 21 -|- 481 Hikiinulu .. .. J Hunua S.D. I Part of Section 20, Block IX, Hunua S.D. 0 1 1£'9 18/7/23 Near Tauinarunui .. .. Lot A, Block I, Hunua S. I). .. .. 24 2 30 J 533 Kangiwaca .. .. .. Section 22, Block II, Maungakaretu S.I).. . 7 2 0 30/6/23 536 Omorehu .. .. .. Section 1, Block 1, Tauakira S.D. .. 1,182 0 0 18/7/23 536 Taumka .. .. .. Section 2, Block 1 i, Taumatamahoe S.D... 320 0 0 18/7/23 f Section 6, Block IX, Whir 1 aki S.D. .. 36!) 0 0 18/7/23 r .. . 1, 1 ■ .; 1 ' Section 7, Block IX, Whirmaki S.D. .. 205 3 0 18/7/23 ' ' rapamno iseacfl .. | Section 8, Block IX, Whirinaki S.D. .. 152 2 0 18/7/23 [ Section 1, Block XVIII, Whirinal i S.D. .. 527 0 0 18/7/23 531 liaelihi .. .. .. Section 38, Block VI, Makoluku S.D. .. 7 2 0 21/7/23 535 Itaetihi .. .. .. Section 49, Block VI, Makotuku S.D. .. 9 2 23 21/7/23 Pongaroa .. .. .. Section 24, Pongaroa Suburbs, Block IX, 0 3 30 31/10/23 Mount Cerberus S.I). 481 533 530 536 996 534 535 Nelson Land District. 541 I Mount Balloon Hut .. .. Section 2, Block VIII, Harapaki S.D. .. 40 0 0 18/7/23 540 ! Otuwhero Inlet .. .. , Section 4, Block XII, Kaitenleri S.D. .. 4 3 I) 18/7/23 542 Porarari River-bank .. .. Sections 6 and 7, Block IX, Brighten S.D. 799 0 0 23/7/23 f ] Section 3, Block VII, Ngakawau S.D. .. 11 3 24 30/7/23 543 Stockton .. .. <| I Section 4, Block V11, Ngakawau S.D. .. 17 3 0 30/7/23 (_\ Section 0, Block VII, Ngakawau S.D. .. 5 1 35 30/7/23 541 540 542 543 Marlborough Land District. 513 YncycaBay.. .. .. Section 2 of 2, Block VII, Orieri S.D. .. 143 0 0 I 26/4/23 Section 4, Block VIII, Orieri S.D. ,,., m lit ! Section 6, Block XII, Orieri S.D. .. _„,_,, ,. «•/» /n « 93 lennysoa Inlet .. i _ ,. I , „ „, ', , 7 w ,, ,. 5,745 0 0 , 5///21 I Sections 7 and 8, Block V, lennyson S.D. j ' ' ' ( Section 1, Block VI, Tennyson S.D. .. J 513 93 Canterbury Land District. 495 j Kaituna Valley . . . . I Reserve 4000 (formerly part of Section I 152 I 30 I 20/5/23 35055, Block XII), Halswcll S.D. | Otiujo Land District. Leitli Valley .. .. .. Part of Section 33, Block VI11, North Har- 0 3 31 I 1/2/24§ hour and Blueskin S.D. 14,301 3 22 * Section 31 of the Native Land Amendment ami Native LanI Claims Adjustment Act. 1922. t Section 57 of the Reserves and other Lands disposal and Public Bodies Empowering Act, 192,'J. X Section 69 of tiie Reserve* and other Lands Disposal and Public Bodies Empowering Act, 1923. § Sulisection (2) of section 58 of the Reserves and other Lands Disposal and Public Bodies Empowering Act, 1922, and section G of tae Scenery Preservation Act, 1908. Revocation of Reservations. I ... t- .. ,.!' Date of Land. . Area. Proclamation in Gazette. Area. Date ol' Proclamation in Gazette. Ill Kruzeue, A. U. 1'. Section 2, Block III, Awakino S.D., Auckland Land District .. .. .. 16 0 0 18/7/23 Part of Scenery-preservation Reserve 2 (in red) in Block V, Howard S.D., Nelson Land 16 1 7 12/3/24 District L'arts of Sections 33 and 34, Block V11I, North Harbour and Blueskin S.D., Otago Land 0 3 31 11/2/24* District A. u. l'. 10 0 0 10 1 7 18/7/2:1 12/3/24 0 3 31 11/2/24* Total .. .. .. .. .. .. 33 0 38 33 0 38 Subsection (1) of section 58 of the Reserves and other Lands Disposal and Public Bodies Empowering Act, 1922. Impowcriug Acl 1922.

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Summary of Reserves. District. Number. A . r!"f. Auckland .. .. .. .. .. .. 3 239 J. 22 Hawke's Bay .. .. .. .. .. 1 44 3 4 Taranaki .. .. ~ .. ,„ .. 4 4,287 3 0 Wellington .. .. .. .. .. .. 8 2,869 2 30 Nolson .. .. .. .. .. .. 4 878 319 Marlborough .. .. .... .. 2 5,888 0 0 Canterbury... .. .. ;v .. .. 1 152 1 30 Otago .. .. .. .'. .. .. 1 0 3 3.1 Totals .. .. .. ..24 14,361, 3 22 Reserved up to 31st March, 1923 .. .. ..725 430,596 1 1 749 444,958 0 23 Less reservations revoked .. .. .. .... 33 0 38 Grand totals .. .. ..749 444,924 3 25 KM i 1 — MM 1 Scenery Preservation Account. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year ended 31st March, 1924. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure, £ s. d. Cash in Public Account, Ist April, 1923 .. 4,139 19 0 Salaries .. .. .. .. 25 0 0 Bents, &o. .. .. .. .. 2,175 18 4 Compensation, etc., in connection with Recoveries on account of expenditure of lands taken under the Scenery Preservaprevious years .. .. .. 48 10 9 tion Act .. .. 7 .. 49 0 0 Compensation for Native lands taken for scenery-preservation purposes .. 80 0 7 Compensation for amount paid to previous Native owners for timber rights over area in Rotoiti Native Township . . 100 0 0 Maintenance of Trounson's Kauri Forest.. 384 14 8 Erection of caretaker's cottage, Trounson's Kauri Forest .. . . .. 093 4 0 Parr's Park, Swanson, acquisition of .. 412 0 0 Shakespeare Cliff, Cook's Bay, acquisition of .. .. .. .. .125 0 0 , Purchase price of 874 acres of Tapu Estate, to be exchanged for 22,000 acres of land at Lake Waikarcmoana (balance) .. 361 19 3 Yneyca Bay Scenic Reserve, acquisition of 280 0 0 Section. 13, Block IV, Puketapu S.D., capital value of . . .. .. 182 16 8 Ruapekapeka Pa, renovation of .. 208 0 0 Surveys, valuations, and incidental expenses .. .. .. .. ' '!8 1 2 0 Administration of reserves — £ s. d. Salaries' of caretakers and allowances .. .. 10 0 0 Travelling-expenses .. 0 2 4 Advertising, &c. .. .. 0 17 0 Eradication of noxious weeds 132 10 0 Erection and upkeep of fences, &c. .. . % 118 2 9 Law-costs .. . . 5 10 2 Printing and stationery .. 4 7 0 Wages paid to fire-lighters 4 4 0 282 0 3 3,328 8 5 Less recovery from Public! Works Department, representing one - third cost of acquisition of land at Lake Waikaremoana Watershed (balance) .. .. 108 8 9 3,219 19 8 Balance at end of year —Cash in Public Account, 31st March, 1924 .. ... 3,144 8 5 £0,304 8 1 £0,304 8 1 J. H. O'DONNELL, Chief Accountant, Lands and Survey Department. 17th June, 1924.

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APPENDIX B. Report of the Scenery Preservation Board. The Board during the past year comprised the following members : Messrs. W. T. Neill (SurveyorGeneral), Chairman ;B. M. Wilson (General Manager, Tourist and Health Resorts); Chief Judge R, M. Jones (Under-Secretary, Native Department) ; and the Commissioner of Crown Lands for the district in which the lands to be dealt with are situated. Meetings were held in the office of the Surveyor-General, Wellington, on the 4th May, 1923, when matters in North Auckland Land District were dealt with ; on the Bth November, 1923, Wellington Land District; and on the 7th June, J 923, Nelson Land District. Twenty-two recommendations were submitted by the Board to His Excellency the GovernorGeneral regarding the acquisition and reservation of lands throughout the Dominion under the Scenery Preservation Act. When considering proposals for the reservation of land under the Scenery Preservation Act the greatest care is taken to see that the farming capabilities of the country are not unduly prejudiced, and that the lands recommended for reservation will be of national benefit if reserved. W. T. Neill, Chairman. Extract from Retort of the Local Summit Road Scenic Reserves Board. All the reserves are in good order and condition —that is, there is very little in the way of noxious weeds to be seen anywhere upon them. Several are still unfenced, but this is not a matter of urgency, in view of the fact that the liabilities taken over by the Board, chiefly connected with the building and furnishing of the " Sign of the Kiwi," Kennedy's Bush, and with the caretaker's house on the Kaituna Reserve, are considered as having a first claim upon the income of the Board. The " Sign of the Kiwi " still continues to be the main source of income, under Mrs. Ell's continued careful management, and there is every assurance of this income being maintained. The most important happening during the past year has been the discharge of the debt upon Sugarloaf Hill, the option of which was first secured in 1916 through the foresight and enterprise of Mr. Ell from Mr. J. Cracroft Wilson. Mr. Wilson was very patient and behaved throughout with great public spirit, and agreed to make a reduction on purchase-money and interest due. The reduction on the purchase-money amounted to £608 10s., and he sacrificed interest to the extent of £437 12s. 2d., making altogether a handsome donation of £1,046 2s. 2d. The cash required to complete the purchase—namely, £I,ooo—was found by two Christchurch citizens, Mr. W. G. Jamieson and Mr. J. J. Thomson, who voluntarily came forward in a public-spirited and generous manner and gave £500 each. To Mr. J. Cracroft-Wilson, Mr. W. G. Jamieson, and Mr. ,1. J. Thomson the thanks of the public of Canterbury are due, and their generous act should be kept green in the memory of the people of Canterbury and Christchurch. Mr. Ell presents a most gratifying statement with regard to Kennedy's Bush. He says that fully 15 acres in one patch, which a few years ago was bare, is now covered with luxuriant young bush, and the bush is spreading in other directions. He counted, in one small area of about 40 ft. square, well over a hundred young manuka —not the scrub-manuka, but the tree-manuka, which grows into a sturdy forest-tree. The Board, undertook to erect a rabbit-proof fence on the boundaries of the Sugarloaf Reserve and Mr. Wilson's property. Part of this has been erected under arrangement by the Public.Works Department, and it is hoped to arrange to do the rest economically. It has been suggested that the Board should fill up vacant places on their reserves by planting exotic trees. This matter can be discussed by the Board. The accounts show that the revenue has been maintained on an equality with that of last year. The caretaker of Kennedy's Bush decided, to give up, and in the meantime I arranged with Mr. Ell to carry on under an arrangement which will give the Board a small revenue. G. H. Bullard, Chairman, Summit Road Scenic Reserves Board.

APPENDIX C. Kapiti Island. Towards the close of the year the Advisory Committee paid a visit of inspection to Kapiti, and, was pleased to find that there had been considerable improvement since the previous visit. The destruction of goats and the removal of sheep is having a marked effect on the young forest growth, and countless seedling plants arc to be seen along the old tracks. Forty-nine goats were killed during the year, and it is known that about forty still survive. They have become very alert, and at the slightest sign of danger take refuge on the inaccessible cliffs along the western side of the island. Most of the privately owned sheep have been removed from the Crown portion of the island. Very few of any kind are now to be seen in the northern half, but in the south a large number of wild ones of little or no value continue to graze on the open country and among the scattered clumps

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of manuka and tauhinu. It is doubtful if they are worth the cost of mustering and. transporting to the mainland, and it will probably be neccessary to destroy them. Opossums have been kept in check by trapping, 1,850 having been taken in this way during the year. In October, 1923, seven kiwis were liberated. One has lately been seen in Taepiro Valley, and one near the Government cottage, so there is reason to believe that they are increasing in numbers. Mr. Johannes C. Andersen, who is well known as a close observer of the habits of our native birds, spent some days on Kapiti. The following notes taken by him during his stay are interesting and instructive :— " Having spent a week with you on the island at the end of September, I should like to say how the bird-life struck me. It was earlier in the year than usual for my visit, and I could not but notice the richness of the growth in the valleys, the luxuriance and freshness of the ferns and mosses, the vividness of colouring of the lichens. I was over a good part of the island, in Te Here and on the spurs on either side, in my valley beyond Chappie's camp, in the Waterfall Valley, and the basin at the head of it, in the Maraetakaroro Valley, and up the spur between it and Wharekohu, and in Wharokohu itself ; and, whilst I was on the lookout for goats, the. only time I saw any was when on the spur at Wharekohu with you. The. opossum-trapper was then out hunting them, and chased half a dozen goats in the direction we were in. Besides these, except for a kid in the Maraetakaroro Valley, I saw no goats at all. The only sheep I saw, too, were on the Wharekohu spurs. " The bush was looking well everywhere, —seedlings in thousands, and young trees too. There is one pest, the nettle', that is corning on now that the goats are off. I noticed this especially thick in the Waterfall Valley leading to the basin. " There was no lack of bird-life : birds were both numerous and tame, so that 1 bad gocd chances of watching them whilst they were singing though they were not in full song -seeing the characteristic postures and actions of the various birds. The birds are, of course, constantly on the move ; and by sitting still in one place and watching, one gets a fair idea of what birds are in that locality. Seated thus in one place, at between 8 and 9in the morning, I saw from twenty to thirty whiteheads, six bell-birds, two tomtits, one fantail, one kaka, and a flight of finches : I saw all these, and heard many more, all in less than half an hour. In another place, in as short a time, I saw also pigeons and parakeets. " I was pleased to see, on this visit, as many male as female bell-birds ; it is evident they are not together throughout the year, the. two sexes being visible at different times. The numerous robins were tame as usual, but I was particularly struck by the tameness of the kakas, parakeets, and pigeons. These were plentiful quite (-lose down to the shore, and I repeatedly saw them when at no distance at all from the shore. It was noticeable, too, that they pay no regard, to the alarm-cry of the English birds. One day I was stalking what 1 took to be a blackbird, but it saw me first and flew off with its cry of alarm. A twig fell on me, and, looking up, there was a kaka feeding just above me ;he paid no attention to the alarm-cry or to me. The birds seem shy at different times of the year. This time the tomtit was rather elusive ; I heard him far oftener than I saw him, and had great difficulty in stalking him ; at other times he stalks me and shows no shyness at all. It is usually the solitary birds that are shy ; one pair of tomtits sat within reach beside me for a long time, so that I was able to note their colouring and general behaviour. The female seemed badly infested with vermin, and they occupied her attention most of the time they were in my company. I was surprised to see. no tui : twice I thought I saw him, but his flight was noiseless, and I thought I was mistaken. I find, however, that the birds can, if they wish, be quite noiseless in their flight, or can ruffle and whirr with their feathers if they like. Once, a shadow passing was the only indication I had of a, kaka alighting above me ; 1 looked up, and caught him in the act of folding his wings. The absence of the tui was accounted for when you told me that he occasionally deserts the island for a time, probably when a certain food, is plentiful on the mainland. Two days before I left he was coming back, and I recognized his song at once. But he was shy, and as soon as he saw me observing him he noiselessly Hew out of sight again, not ceasing his song, but singing in private. Usually his flight is quite noisy, and he sits in the open so that you may note him as long as you please. " Until this visit I had neither seen nor heard the warbler on Kapiti. On this occasion, however, I both saw and heard it, first at Wharekohu, then in the Waterfall Valley, and then in the basin. I am quite satisfied, that the birds come and go ; the short stretch of water between the island and the mainland does not stop them, or certain of them. I have seen goldfinches and starlings on, Kapiti before ; this time I saw, besides, chaffinches, yellowhammers, sparrows, and heard a blackbird or thrush. Larks have always been there. The presence of the English birds on the island caused, me to remember a remark made by the fishermen at the mouth of the Waikanae opposite. They said that the English birds were becoming quite common about their cottages : the lark sang all the year round, in summer and winter, in sunshine and in pouring rain. They also told me that two or three pairs of blue herons nested along the island last season, and that they were becoming plentiful; you afterwards said the same. " I was pleased to see the blue penguin nesting, even if it was in your boat-shed. The difference in the nature of the weka and penguin was notable in this : the penguin was snappy when we wanted to see her egg ; a weka at a waterfall did not at all mind her clutch being seen, and even allowed herself to be lifted slightly for the purpose. " The skylarks share the flats with the pipits, of which I saw numbers, both at Rangatira and at Wharekohu." Mr. J. L. Bennett is still the resident caretaker on the island. Thos. Brook, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

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APPENDIX D. North Auckland Scenic Reserves. There are some sixty-five scenic reserves scattered throughout this district on the mainland, containing an area of some 9,870 acres ; and in addition there are the Poor Knights Islands, Hen and Chicken Islands, Motukaraka, and Little Barrier Islands for scenery and bird-sanctuaries ; and, most important of all, the famous Trounson Kauri Park, whose value will probably run. into six figures, and which contains some of the finest kauri-trees in existence to-day. During the summer I was enabled to visit this magnificent gift to the people. The caretaker's house, a nice comfortable little bungalow, had just been completed, and we are installing a telephone to the outer world, and a connection through the forest to the honorary ranger's home (Mr. Mudford) as a protection against fire. As it is difficult for strangers to know exactly when they have arrived at the park 1 am having notice-boards erected. Surrounding the bush on the north there is a great deal of very tall fern, dead logs, stumps, &c, and, as this menace extends right through private lands to the main road, there is great danger of loss by fire in a dry summer, consequently 1 have asked for sufficient funds to clear a 3-chain barrier around this part of the bush ; and in order to keep down the fern permanently 1 propose to sow some grass, and hit the caretaker run a few dry sheep ; while Mr. Mudford has undertaken to keep down the fern on the southern boundary, as every endeavour must be made to protect this valuable bush. Another danger is the loss of trees by gales, each falling tree making the rest less secure ; and something must be done to militate against this possible destruction. I also inspected the Kauri. Gully Reserve at Northcote, and found that the lessee of the open portion, our honorary caretaker, was doing good work there and improving and protecting this reserve, and I hope he may long continue to do so. Some extra expenditure upon fencing and track-improve-ment is required. The other reserves are. supposed to be inspected by our own rangers and the officials of the Forest Service, who are honorary rangers. Now that the, soldier settlement is getting on a firmer basis our rangers will have more time to attend to these reserves, and with the inspections that I or the Chief Draughtsman can give them I consider, they can now be satisfactorily looked after. Negotiations are taking place to acquire the Hunua Falls and 178 acres nearby, and also several other beautiful bits of bush at present included in soldier farms (and mortgaged to the State), as well as several exchanges, &c. H. J. Lowe, Commissioner of Crown Lands.

Approximate Cost of Paper. — Preparation, not Riven ; printing (726 copies), £9.

Authority: W. A. G. Skinner, Government Printer, Wellington.— 1924.

Price, (id.]

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