DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY. SCENERY PRESERVATION. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1939, TOGETHER WITH STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURE AND SCHEDULE OF LANDS ACQUIRED AND RESERVED DURING THE YEAR UNDER THE SCENERY PRESERVATION ACT.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1939 Session I, C-06

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1939. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY. SCENERY PRESERVATION. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1939, TOGETHER WITH STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURE 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.

Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, Ist August, 1939. Sir, — I have the honour to submit herewith a report on scenery preservation for the year ended 31st March, 1939. I have, &c., R. G. Macmorran, Under-Secretary for Lands. The Hon. Frank Langstone, Minister in Charge of Scenery Preservation, Wellington.

REPORT. Areas set apart during the year by Proclamation as scenic or historic reserves under the Scenery Preservation Act covered a total area of 16,905 acres. In the North Auckland Land District an area of 40 acres was added to the Bream Head Reserves at the entrance to Whangarei Harbour. Reference was made in a previous report to the gift by Captain G. Humphreys-Davies of an area of bush land near Clevedon. This matter has now been completed by the transfer of 99 acres 3 roods 15 perches to the Crown and by the setting-aside of this area as a scenic reserve. The gift area, which is wholly in native bush, is ring-fenced, and will make a most valuable reserve in a district where most of the bush has been cleared in the interests of closer settlement of the land. At the request of Captain Humphreys-Davies the reserve has been named " Te Morehu Scenic Reserve " and dedicated to the memory of a faithful and respected Native friend of the donor. A bronze tablet bearing a suitable inscription in raised lettering is being placed in position at the entrance to the reserve. A valuable addition was made to the Kirk's Bush Scenic Reserve on the Great South Road at Papakura by the purchase of an area of 1J acres, which has had the effect of squaring up the boundaries of that particularly delightful beauty-spot. Provision has been made for fencing the additional area, and the Board controlling the reserve has arrangements in hand for cleaning up the land and planting the open spaces in native trees. Of the total purchase price of £325, the sum of £135 was contributed by the Papakura Town Board and prominent residents of the district, the balance being found by the Department. By arrangement with the State Forest Service an area of 382 acres of provisional State forest reserve in the Awakino watershed was set apart as a scenic reserve. The area comprises one of the few remaining pieces of bush land within easy distance of Dargaville, and has considerable value for water-conservation as well as for scenic purposes.

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Three small sections, containing together some 14 acres, of what is known as the " Maoriroa Farm Settlement," near Broadwood, were reserved during the year. These small areas carry bush of scenic value, and it was therefore decided to exclude them from the general scheme of subdivision of the settlement. An area of 10 acres 2 roods 12 perches was added to Trounson Kauri Park. This land was made available by the State Forest Service and its inclusion in the Park has considerably improved the boundaries of the reserve. In the Paremoremo district an area of 113 acres was declared a scenic reserve. This area comprises hilly land in scrub, with patches of kauri and mixed bush in the gullies. Some years ago the Whangarei Borough Council joined with the Crown in the acquisition for scenic purposes of an area of 84 acres 1 rood 30-6 perches of freehold bush land. The transfer to the Crown was duly completed, but the actual proclamation of the land as a scenic reserve was overlooked until recently. This omission has now been rectified, and the reserve placed under the control of the Council, which contributed the sum of £700 towards the purchase of the land. Reservations in the Auckland Land District totalled some 6,133 acres. The principal reservation was that of an area of 4,490 acres of bush land on the Kaimai Ranges behind Matamata, the purchase of which by the Department in co-operation with the Matamata Borough Council was referred to in last year's report. This area has now been placed under the control of the Council pursuant to the provisions of section 13 of the Scenery Preservation Act, 1908. In last year's report reference was made to the gift by Mr. W. G Barnett of a small but valuable area of scenic bush on the Waotu South Road. A survey has now been carried out, and an area of 4 acres 2 roods 6 perches proclaimed as a scenic reserve on completion of the transfer to the Crown. An area of 2,432 acres of bush land was set aside near Lake Rotoma in extension of the reserve of 484 acres made in that locality last year. In the Gisborne Land District an area of 9 acres 3 roods 32-7 perches of Native land was taken under the Public Works Act as an addition to the Hiwarau Reserve after the Native owners had been acquainted of the Crown's intention to acquire the land and had agreed to the proposal. The original reserve of some 50 acres was acquired in 1912. It is a beautiful spot on the inland Whakatane-Opotiki Road, and possesses considerable historic interest. The acquisition of the additional area has greatly improved the reserve by taking in the whole of the old fighting pas as well as a beautiful stand of mamaku, and also by so improving the boundaries as to materially reduce the amount of fencing required to properly protect the whole reserve. In Hawke's Bay the reservation of the scenic portion of some 88 acres of the land near Puketitiri given by Mr. F. Hutchinson some two years ago was completed during the year. Completion of this matter was much delayed owing to the necessity arising of carrying out a rather complicated set of exchanges of areas and road takings and closings. The reserve has been named the " Hutchinson Scenic Reserve," and a Board of Control has been appointed. A considerable amount of work has been carried out in clearing up dead timber and debris around the edges of the bush to lessen the fire danger, and in the planting of suitable trees. Reservations in the Taranaki Land District totalled some 1,937 acres, including an area of 1,256 acres in the watershed of the Motutara Stream, an area of 340 acres near Okahukura, an area of 341 acres on the Ohura Stream (Ongarue district), and a small area as an addition to the Koru Pa Reserve. These are all attractive additions to the scenic reserves of Taranaki. It is surprising how little bush is left in this district, which was once so heavily timbered, and the Department proposes to take every available opportunity of preserving any remaining bush of scenic value. Scenic reserves in the Wellington Land District were increased by the taking under the Public Works Act of two areas of 5 acres 2 roods 34 perches and 3 acres 0 roods 16 perches respectively of the Kai-Iwi 6h 2e No. 2 Block. The areas are situated on the Wanganui - New Plymouth Highway about fourteen miles from Wanganui, and are covered in native bush, which it is desired to preserve. Proposals for the acquisition of the land were initiated by the Waitotara County Council, which intimated that it would be pleased to fence the land if the Department would attend to its purchase. After consultation with the Native Department it was decided to take the land under the Public Works Act, the owners having intimated that they would be agreeable to such action. The compensation to be paid will be assessed by the Native Land Court. The fencing of the areas has been completed by the County Council in conjunction with that of an adjoining county reserve. This local body has been particularly helpful in all matters connected with scenery preservation in its area, and the Department is grateful for its ready co-operation and practical assistance in various ways. Areas of Crown land totalling some 2,644 acres in the Ahu Ahu district, Waitotara County, were set aside so that the bush they carry may be preserved The gift by Mr. H. M. Hayward of an area of 43 acres 2 roods 6-1 perches at White's Line East, as referred to in the last annual report, was completed during the year under review by the transfer of the land to the Crown and its proclamation under the Scenery Preservation Act under the name of the " Hayward's Park Scenic Reserve." A considerable amount of work has been carried out on the gift area. The principal reservation in the Nelson Land District was that of an area of 279 acres of native bush on the Wangamoa Hill, on. the main road from Nelson to Blenheim. The reservation comprises 59 acres of Crown land and 220 acres of private land acquired from the owner for the sum of £550. The Department regards it as most important that bush along main highways should be preserved whenever possible, and was particularly pleased to be able to complete the acquisition of the private land concerned in this case.

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Some areas of considerable scenic value were set aside north of the Mokihinui River, on the Westport-Karamea Road, the total area so dealt with comprising 1,624 acres of good scenic bush country. In one case, by arrangement with the State Advances Corporation, an area of 1,236 acres was withdrawn from selection and declared to be a permanent scenic reserve. The arrangements made involved the payment of a small sum in full settlement of the Corporation's interest in the land. Other Nelson reservations were those of an area of 725 acres of steep birch bush country at Saville Bay and 19 acres of attractive bush on the Rainy River. In the Marlborough Land District four areas totalling 937 acres in the Sounds district were set apart during the year. At Kauauroa Bay, in Pelorus Sound, an exchange of areas was carried out with two Crown settlers whereby an area of 264 acres of leasehold land in beautiful light bush was surrendered and so made available for reservation. To assist in the adjustment of areas the State Forest Service handed over to the Department a forest reserve of 47 acres. At the back of Nydia Bay an area of 541 acres was surrendered from a small grazing-run and set aside under the Act. In this case the arrangements made necessitated payment of the sum of £100 to the lessee by way of compensation for loss of potential grazing and possible interest in the royalty value of the tim ber on the land. The other areas dealt with comprised 123 acres of Crown land at Cullen's Point, Havelock, and 5 acres reserved as an addition to the Brown River Reserve in the Pelorus. Reservations totalling 815 acres were made in the Westland District, brief particulars being as follows : — (а) An area of 16 acres 0 roods 10 perches adjoining the Canavan's Knob Reserve at Waiho, and comprising a fine patch of bush forming part of a most attractive avenue on the main road from Waiho to Weheka. (б) An area of 31 acres 2 roods 35 perches near the Stony Creek Bridge. In these two cases arrangements were made with a Crown lessee for the surrender of the land in pursuance of the Department's policy of extending the existing scenic reservations around Waiho in the vicinity of the Franz Josef Glacier, and particularly so in the case of attractive pieces of bush on the main tourist highway. (c) An'area of 25 acres of virgin bush at Waiho Gorge, and an adjoining area of 1 acre of closed road in beautiful native bush. (d) An area of 57 acres of steep bush-clad faces in the Wataroa district. (e) An area of 103 acres of steep bush country on the Paparoa Range. (/) An area of 88 acres of bush land situated across the river from Kumar a. This area was portion of a Crown leasehold, but was surrendered by the lessee in order that it might be reserved. It has been named the " Westbrook Scenic Reserve." (g) Two closed road areas of 8 acres and 5 acres respectively at Punakaiki. (h) An area of 67 acres of Crown land covered with beautiful mixed bush and situated in full view of the main road between Marsden and Dunganville. (i) An area of 117 acres of State forest reserve and a further area of 240 acres of Crown land situated on the very popular round-trip drive from Greymouth through Marsden and back via Paroa. (j) An area of 41 acres of State forest land of great scenic beauty on the Limestone Road. (Jc) An area of 13 acres of State forest land on the main road south of Harihari. The bringing of this area under the Scenery Preservation Act completes the reservation of a magnificent avenue of native bush along the highway in that particular locality. In the Otago Land District an area of 623 acres of State forest land in heavy bush was made available for reservation under the Scenery Preservation Act. This reserve is situated on the Purakaunui River at the bay of that name on the South Otago coast, and besides being a good scenic area will make a useful sanctuary for native birds. In the Southland Land District an area of 269 acres of State forest land was added to the Haldane Scenic Reserve, on the Tokanui-Haldane Road, and with the area of 315 acres previously set aside will make a very fine scenic asset. The areas set apart throughout the Dominion during the year may be roughly classified as follows :—• Class of Land. (Acres) Crown land areas .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 9,408 Private land acquired by Department, assisted by local bodies and public subscriptions .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 4,576 State forest areas made available . . . . . . . . .. 1,465 Crown leasehold areas made available in various ways .. .. .. 941 Private land acquired by Department .. . . .. .. 260 Freehold gift areas (four cases) .. .. .. .. .. 236 Native land acquired by Department .. .. .. .. 19 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. 16,905 The reservation over scenic-reserve areas totalling 57 acres was revoked during the year after full inquiries into the circumstances of each case. The number of scenic reservations in the Dominion is now 1,118, covering a total area of over 819,000 acres.

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Areas purchased but not proclaimed by End op Year. Mention may be made of the following areas the acquisition of which was approved during the year but in respect of which the necessary Proclamations under the Scenery Preservation Act have still to issue : — (1) An area of 1,460 acres in the Mangamuka Gorge, being the Mangamuka West 3bb and 3cc Blocks. These areas are situated on the Whangarei-Kaitaia Main Highway eighty miles north of Whangarei, and contain magnificent native bush of all varieties. The purchase price was £1 per acre. They link up with a number of existing scenic reserves in the gorge, and with a State forest reserve in the vicinity a large tract of country in virgin bush of outstanding beauty is now assured of protection. (2) An area of 169 acres of native bush situated near the summit of the well-known Manaia Mountain, at the entrance to the Whangarei Harbour. The land has been acquired at a very reasonable price from the estate of the late Mr. J. J. Craig. The main bush areas on Manaia Mountain are now held by the Crown as reserves. (3) An area of 93 acres of heavy bush in Chance Bay, Pelorus Sound, acquired from the Brownlee Investment Co., Ltd. Gifts of Scenic Areas. The Department is pleased to report the following gifts of scenic areas to the Crown : — (a) Mr. T. H. Hayes and members of his family have given an area of approximately 183 acres in the Kaeo district on condition that an adjoining area of approximately 47 acres of Crown land is included in the reservation. The gift area is mostly in very good native bush, and with the Crown land referred to will make an excellent reserve of distinct scenic and water-conservation value. The Department is now attending to the survey of the gift area and its transfer to the Crown. (b) Mr. W. F. Wallis has given two small areas of scenic value on the Waitetuna Channel, Raglan Harbour. The gift is subject to the Department surveying the areas and arranging for the issue of residue titles. (c) The National Mutual Life Association of Australasia, Ltd., has given an area of approximately 1,000 acres of land in the Oparure district comprising approximately 800 acres of high tableland in virgin bush and 200 acres of steep broken country which has been felled but which is rapidly reverting to second growth. The bush area is the source of several streams, and the whole block will make a desirable scenic and water-conservation area. The Department is arranging for the survey and the title adjustments involved. (d) Mr. R. Aynsley has given his interest in a leasehold section of 100 acres situated on the summit of the hill overlooking Greymouth on the south side of the main portion of the town. The section, which is surrounded on three sides by limestone cliffs, is bush clad and will make a most desirable addition to an adjoining scenic reserve. Scenery Preservation Board. Meetings of the Scenery Preservation Board were held to consider scenic proposals in the North Auckland, Auckland, Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, Taranaki, Wellington, Nelson, Marlborough, Westland, Otago, and Southland Land Districts, and fifty-four recommendations were submitted to His Excellency the Governor-General for the acquisition and reservation of areas of scenic and historic interest throughout the Dominion under the provisions of the Scenery Preservation Act. Supervision of Reserves. During the year special Scenic Boards were appointed or reappointed, as follows : The Katikati Hot Springs Scenic Board to control the Katikati Hot Springs Scenic Reserve ; the Pounawea Scenic Reserves Board to control the Pounawea Scenic Reserves ; the New Plymouth Scenic Reserves Board to control the Pukemiro, Onairo River, Ratapihipihi, Puketi Pa, Pukerangiora Pa, Meeting-of-the-Waters, Okoki Pa, Awa-te-take Pa, and Te Koru Pa Scenic and Historic Reserves ; the Hutchinson Scenic Board to control the Hutchinson Scenic Reserve ; the Forest Hill Scenic Board to control the Forest Hill Scenic Reserve ; the Waipukurau Borough Council to control the Tukituki River Scenic Reserve ; the Matamata Borough Council to control the Gordon Park (Matamata) Scenic Reserve ; the Ruapekapeka Pa Scenic Board to control the Ruapekapeka Pa Scenic Reserve; the Punakaiki Scenic Board to control the Punakaiki Scenic Reserves ; the Whangarei Borough Council to control the Whangarei Scenic Reserve; the Hutt County Council to control the Silverstream Scenic Reserve ; the Akitio County Council to control the Pongaroa Scenic Reserves ; the Rangitikei County Council to control the Silverhope Scenic Reserves ; the Peninsula County Council to control the Titeremoana Scenic Reserve ; the Matiere Scenic Board to control the Matiere Scenic Reserve ; the Invercargill City Council to control the Waihopai River Scenic Reserve ; the Dannevirke Borough Council to control portion of the Makirikiri Scenic Reserve ; the Christchurch City Council to control the Summit Road Scenic Reserves ; and the Tauranga County Council to control the Puketoki Scenic Reserve. An additional area was placed under the control of the Collingwood County Council. Additional members were appointed to the Ohakune Lakes and Manginangina Scenic Boards. Sixty-one gentlemen were appointed as honorary Inspectors of Scenic Reserves, including a large number of patrolmen employed by various automobile associations in the North Island. The support of the associations in this matter is much appreciated.

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Condition op Reserves, etc. Owing to the prolonged dry season the fire risk in many districts was very high during the summer and autumn months, and unfortunately extensive damage occurred to many reserves in the Marlborough Sounds. In that particular district there is usually a heavy growth of fern, especially on the shady hillsides, and it is common practice on the part of many settlers to fire the fern when dry conditions prevail in the hope that danthonia pasture will eventually become established. Some of the settlers are not always as careful as they might be in the matter, and in dry seasons their fires often spread into the reserves. It has also beeen noticed that the settlers rarely sow their burns, and consequently the fern soon gains the upper hand again. Thus, the farmer receives little or no profit from his actions, while, on the other hand, irreparable damage may be and often is caused to the adjoining scenic reserves. Some remedy must be found for this state of affairs, as the following record of fire damage in the Sounds district during the past season shows only too clearly : — The bush on the Ruamoko and Dieffenbach Point Reserves was almost totally destroyed. The Department has been endeavouring to reafforest these points for the past ten years, and just as success seemed to be assured fire has made practically a clean sweep of everything. About 10 acres of bush was destroyed by two fires that encroached on the Kumutoto Reserve. Strenuous efforts, which eventually met with success, were made by the Department to control the fires, and costs totalling £63 13s. 3d. were incurred. About 60 acres of bush was destroyed on the Stratford Point Reserve. Costs totalling £42 6s. 3d. were incurred in attempting to control the fires on this beautiful reserve. Fires on the Tiinahau Reserve, near Havelock, destroyed about 155 acres of bush. Firefighting costs in this case were £12 9s. About 20 acres of bush was destroyed on the Patten's Passage Reserve. In this case the damage was done before any attempt could be made to control the fire. Fires from adjoining property destroyed about 10 acres of the Ngaruru Reserve, in Tory Channel. The Cost of combating the fire was £11 19s. On the 31st March the Commissioner of Crown Lands was advised that an extensive fire was menacing the Tennyson Inlet Reserve. A fire-fighting party was quickly assembled, and was able to confine the damage to an area of about 50 acres. Costs incurred amounted to £100. This extensive reserve comprises some 10,000 acres of virgin bush, and in view of the exceedingly dry conditions the party is to be congratulated on the remarkable save that was made. It is considered that the forest will recover, and fortunately the damage is not apparent from the sea. In that portion of the Sounds district within the Nelson Land District the reserve at Bulwer was in grave danger of total destruction, but through the efforts of local residents and visitors the' fire was eventually controlled after about 30 acres of bush had been severely scorched. It is hoped that the damaged bush will gradually recover. No fire damage of any account was reported from other districts. Apart from the fire damage referred to above, reports generally show that reserves under the control of the Department and those controlled by local bodies and special Scenic Boards are being maintained in a satisfactory manner. The field staff of the Department has made as many inspections as possible, and the honorary Inspectors throughout the Dominion have given valuable assistance. The Department has been greatly heartened in its efforts to preserve and extend the Dominion's scenic reserves by willing assistance given by other Departments, by local bodies and other organizations, and by numerous individual citizens throughout the country. Legislation. Section 55 of the Statutes Amendment Act, 1938, provides that any land comprised in a State forest may be declared to be a reserve under the Scenery Preservation Act on the joint recommendation of the Minister in Charge of Scenery Preservation and the Commissioner of State Forests. For a number of years the State Forest Service has been closely co-operating with the Department in the matter of scenery preservation and has willingly agreed to selected areas of State forest lands being made available for reservation under the Scenery Preservation Act. In the case of permanent State forest areas required for scenic reserves the Service has as a rule arranged to revoke the reservation under the Forests Act, thus permitting the Department to issue Proclamations under the Scenery Preservation Act. In the case of provisional State forest areas, however, special legislation has in the past been necessary to bring such areas under the Scenery Preservation Act, and sometimes when it has been convenient to do so, permanent State forest areas have also been dealt with by special legislation. It was therefore considered desirable, in order to avoid the necessity of including clauses from time to time in the Reserves and other Lands Disposal Bills dealing with cases as they arose, that there should be a general statutory authority permitting State forest areas to be made scenic reserves. General legislation was therefore drafted by arrangement between the two Departments and included in the Statutes Amendment Act. The new legislation was operated during the year in a number of cases, and will be used in all future eases where it is agreed between the two Departments that State forest land should be made scenic reserve.

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Private Scenic Reserves. No private scenic reserves were declared during the year under the provisions of section 6 of the Scenery Preservation Amendment Act, 1933. It appears that a number of owners of bush areas are not altogether satisfied of the merits of the legislation generally, while the question of rates and land-tax causes them some concern. The declaration of any land as a private scenic reserve does not affect the position with respect to rates and land-tax. The owner remains liable as before. Scenic bush, however, is not valued unless it contains milling-trees of commercial value. Even then the value of any such trees, although subject to assessment under the Valuation of Land Act, is not subject to the payment of rates or taxes. The value of the land on which the trees stand is, however, subject to local rates and to land-tax. it is possible that some means may be devised of improving the position, so far as rates and taxes are concerned, of the private owner who is willing to have portion of his property declared a private scenic reserve. At the same time, it is considered that the private-scenic-reserve legislation is definitely helpful and deserving of consideration on the part of owners who wish to preserve areas of bush on their properties. The legislation gives extra protection to the property-owner against vandalism without affecting his rights as owner except to the extent he may agree to forego them, and the Department will at any time be pleased to consider any application on the part of a private owner for the declaration of his property, or part thereof, as a private scenic reserve. General. The usual maintenance and improvement work has been carried out on the Trounson Kauri Park. This reserve is most popular with the general public, and is of outstanding interest and value. Over four thousand permits were issued to visitors to the Cape Kidnapper Bird Sanctuary, and the water-supply proved unequal to requirements. Two more tanks will probably have to be installed later on. During the year the rest-house was added to and the conveniences improved. A number of small grants were made to Scenic Boards for fencing and general improvements, and the Department itself attended to the fencing of various areas. Tracks have been opened up through some of the reserves in the vicinity of popular holiday resorts, and scenic notices posted up in prominent positions. The Rotoiti Scenic Board, controlling Lake Rotoiti and a large area of scenic reserves in that locality, has made some much-needed improvements to its reserves, and is to be commended for its interest in the provision of amenities for the public and for its effective supervision of the areas under its control. The Pelorus Bridge Scenic Board has provided further public amenities at the picnic-ground and has now definitely succeeded in bringing the blackberry and fern menace under control. The reserve, which is a stopping-place for thousands of travellers throughout the year, is in good condition and native bird life is plentiful. The Lake Kaniere Scenic Board, owing to lack of financial support, has been unable to do much in the way of improving the amenities at the lake, but during the forthcoming year it is anticipated that further much-needed improvements will be added to those already supplied. A great deal of interest has been aroused in boating, and a number of boat-shed sites are to be provided to meet the demand. In choosing sites every care is taken to see that as little as possible of the native bush is disturbed, and any sheds erected must be well built and maintained in such a condition that they will add to and not detract from the beauty of the shores of the lake. The year has seen the passing of the Summit Road Scenic Reserves Board, which for many years controlled a chain of reserves on the Port Hills. After negotiations between the Christchurch City Council, the Board, and the Department, it was decided not to reappoint the Board for a further term, but instead to vest control of some of the reserves in the City Council and to place the remainder under the direct control of the Department. The reserves now under the Council's control are eight in number, extending from the Dyer's Pass Road practically to Evans' Pass. They border on that portion of the Summit Road which was recently reconditioned and tar-sealed, and which is now one of the principal scenic highways adjacent to Christchurch. Seven reserves now come under the Department's control. These lie at intervals along the Summit Road from Dyer's Pass to Akaroa. Control of the Forest Hill Reserve, set apart last year, has been vested in a special Board comprising representatives of the Invercargill City Council, the Southland County Council, and the Department. Although some timber has been removed in the past the area is mostly bush clad, and its reservation has been greatly appreciated in the district. Access has been improved and some facilities for visitors provided by the Board, and the reserve is becoming a popular resort for residents of Invercargill and surrounding districts. The Public Works Department was given permission to fell some small patches of bush on a reserve on the northern shore of Lake Rotoma in connection with the erection of the Arapuni-Edgecumbe transmission-line. An application for prospecting licenses covering all those portions of Lakes Rotoroa and Rotoiti, Nelson District, shallow enough to permit working by means of dredges, together with all flats and other areas on the shores of the lakes that could possibly be worked by dredges, was declined during the year. The application was submitted as a preliminary step towards the obtaining of dredging-claim licenses. It was considered that it would be unwise to permit dredging operations in the lakes and around their shores, and that it would be unfair to consent to the granting of prospecting licenses and then to refuse consent to applications for dredging claims.

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Some criticism is from time to time expressed in certain quarters to the effect that the Department is inclined to set aside as scenic reserves lands that should be made available for settlement. Such criticism rests on very slender foundations. Very little country capable of being economically developed has been reserved, and then only because of some special features of interest of sufficient value to warrant such areas being permanently set aside for the public benefit. In fact, it can safely be said that in many districts it would have been much more to the advantage of settlement in the truest sense if large areas which have proved extremely difficult to keep in grass had been retained under their forest cover and set apart as permanent reserves. In last year's report reference was made to certain unformed roads on the banks of the Tahakopa River, in South Otago, having been declared Government roads with a view to the better preservation of the beautiful growth of kowhais and other trees thereon. During the year now under review the adjoining owners and the County Council have been circularized advising them of the action taken and seeking their co-operation in the protection of the bush. The Ranger on Stewart Island reports that he visited as many reserves as possible during the year, and that in his opinion the native birds are holding their own very well on the island. The weather during the summer was exceptionally severe, and heavily flooded streams hampered inspection work to a considerable extent. Future Operations. A good many Crown areas have been listed for reservation in the near future, and will doubtless prove valuable additions to the Dominion's scenic reserves. It may be taken for granted that any Crown lands of scenic value will be set apart under the Scenery Preservation Act, but only very limited progress can be expected in the direction of the acquisition of privately owned scenic properties until such time as the Department is given an adequate vote for the purpose. The amount expended on scenery preservation throughout the Dominion during the year covered by this report was £5,077, but of that amount no less than £720 was spent on the Waitangi Endowment area and £346 on the maintenance and improvement of the Trounson Kauri Park. The expenditure on Waitangi especially is a heavy drag on scenic funds. The position is that under present conditions the Department is expected to make an effective vote of barely £4,000 per annum suffice for the fencing and maintenance of existing reserves and the purchase of new areas. It will therefore be realized that it is impossible under these conditions to put into operation any long-range plan for the acquisition of private areas, and that the most that can be done in any one year is to purchase a few areas of limited monetary value. Appendices. The appendices to this report are listed hereunder :— A. Schedule of reserves made and reservations revoked during the year, together with a statement of expenditure. B. An account of the work carried out on Kapiti Island.

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APPENDICES.

APPENDIX A. Reserves made in 1938-39 under the Scenery Preservation Act, 1908, and Amendments.

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No. j Local Name. Description. [ Area. ProSamation. North Auckland Land District. A. b. p. 670 Bream Head .. .. Allotment W. 76, Manaia Parish . . 40 0 0 20/6/38 872 Paremoremo .. .. Allotment 206, Paremoremo Parish .. 113 2 0 27/6/38 822 Trounson Park . . . . Part Section 17, Block XI, Waipoua S.D. 10 2 12 21/9/38 435 Whangarei .. .. Part Allotment 1, Whangarei Parish .. 84 1 30-6 28/10/38 912 Maoriroa .. .. .. Section 60, Block III, Whangape S.D. . . 7 1 21 24/2/39 912 Maoriroa .. .. .. Section 68, Block III, Whangape S. D. . . 2 2 8 24/2/39 912 Maoriroa .. .. .. Section 70, Block III, Whangape S.D. .. 4 0 II 24/2/39 910 Te Morehu .. .. Part Orere and Taupo Blocks, Blocks VI 99 3 15 24/2/39 and X, Wairoa S.D. 917 Kirk's Bush .. .. Lots 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, D.P. 15387, Block IV, 110 24/2/39 Drury S.D. 873 Awakino Watershed .. Section 11, Block XVI, Tutamoe S.D., and 382 I 1 24/2/39 Sections 9 and 21, Block IV, Kaihu S.D. Total for North Auckland .. .. 745 2 18-6 Auckland Land District. 874 Gordon Park, Matamata .. Part Okauia No. 1 Block, Wairere and 4,490 3 23 2/8/38 Tapapa S.D.s 923 Rotoma .. .. .. Sections 1 and 3, Block XII, Rotoma S.D. 1,231 3 30 24/2/39 923 Rotoma . . .. .. Section 11, Block XI, Rotoma S.D. .. 406 0 20 24/2/39 925 Waotu South .. .. Lots 1 and 2, D.P. 28078, Block I, Patetere 4 2 6 24/2/39 South S.D. Total for Auckland .. .. 6,133 1 39 Oisborne Land District. 857 Hiwarau .. .. .. Part Allotment 189, Waiotahi Parish .. 9 3 12 21/9/38 Total for Gisborne .. .. 9 3 12 Hawke's Bay Land District. 880 Hutchinson .. .. Lots 3 and 13, D.P. 6529, Block XIV, 88 3 6 11/6/38 Pohui S.D. Total for Hawke's Bay .. .. 88 3 6 Taranaki Land District. 881 Koru Pa .. .. .. Section 173, Oakura District, Block II, 0 0 16 14/4/38 Wairau S.D. 930 Motutara Stream .. .. Sections 13, 14, 31, and Part Section 12, 1,256 1 3-45 24/2/39 Block III, Piopiotea West S.D. 931 Okahu Kura .. .. Section 2, Block I, Rangi S.D. .. .. 340 0 0 24/2/39 932 Ohura Stream .. .. Section 5, Block VIII, Tangitu SD. .. 341 0 0 24/2/39 Total for Taranaki .. .. 1,937 1 19-45 Wellington Land District. 819 Kai-iwi .. .. .. Parts Kai-iwi 6h 2e No. 2 Block, Block XI, 8 3 10 20/6/38 Nukumaru S.D. 933 Hayward's Park .. .. Lot 1, D.P. 11467, and Part Lot 3, D.P. 43 2 6-1 24/2/39 7866, Block XIV. Belmont S.D. 934 Ahu Ahu .. .. .. Section 18, Block VIII, Momahaki S.D. .. 2,397 0 0 24/2/39 934 Ahu Ahu .. .. .. Section 2, Block XIV, Momahaki S.D. .. 102 0 0 24/2/39 934 Ahu Ahu .. .. .. Sections 6 and 7, Block XVI, Momahaki S.D. 145 1 24 24/2/39 Total for Wellington .. .. 2,696 3 0-1 Nelson Land District. 699 Wangamoa .. .. Scction 16, Block VII, Wakapuaka S.D. .. 59 0 0 21/9/38 699 Wangamoa .. .. Section 5 and Part Section 4, Block VII, 220 1 30 21/9/38 and Section 1, Block XI, Wakapuaka S.D. 935 Saville Bay .. .. Sections 20, 21, and 22, Block III, Wanga- 725 0 0 24/2/39 moa S.D., and Section 31, Block XI, French Pass S.D. 936 Rainy River .. .. Section 2, Block IV. Howard S.D. .. 19 0 0 24/2/39 938 Mokihinui River .. .. Section 34, Block XI, Mokihinui S.D. .. 182 2 0 24/2/39 938 Mokihinui River .. .. Section 3, Block XII, Mokihinui S.D. .. 205 2 0 24/2/39 939 Mokihinui River .. .. Section 3, Block VIII, Mokihinui S.D. .. 544 0 0 24/2/39 939 Mokihinui River .. .. Section 7, Block XII, Mokihinui S.D. .. 692 0 0 24/2/39 937 Buller Valley . . .. Section 10, Block X, Hope S.D. .. 1 2 33 24/2/39 Total for Nelson .... .. 2,649 0 23 Marlborough Land District. 863 Kauauroa Bay .. .. Sections 1 of 1, I of 2, and 1 of 4, Block XIV, 268 1 0 9/4/38 Orieri S.D. 893 Nydia Bay .. .. Section 13, Block I, Tennyson S.D. .. 541 0 0 25/7/38 944 Cullen's Point .. .. Part of Section 1, Mahakipawa Registration 123 0 0 24/2/39 District, Block VIII, Wakamarina S.D. 940 Brown River .. In Block I, Wakamarina S.D. .. .. 5 1 0 24/2/39 i Total for Marlborough .. > .. 937 2 0 i

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Reserves made in 1938-39 under the Scenery Preservation Act, 1908, and Amendments—continued.

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No. Local Name. Description. Area. Prodamatfon. Westland Land District. 901 Waiho ,. .. .. Reserve 1214, Block VII, Waiho S.D. .. 31 2 35 5/8/38 901 Waiho .. .. .. Reserve 1216, Block VII, Waiho S.D. .. 16 0 10 5/8/38 899 Wataroa .. .. .. Reserve 1635, Block XV, Wataroa S.D. .. 57 0 25 31/8/38 945 Granite Creek .. .. Reserve 1471, Block IX, Waiwhero S.D. .. 103 0 0 24/2/39 946 Westbrook .. .. Reserve 1756, Block XII, Waimea S.D. .. 88 2 28 24/2/39 952 Punakaiki .. .. .. Reserve 1766, Block I, Punakaiki S.D. .. 8 0 0 24/2/39 952 Punakaiki .. .. .. Reserve 1767, Block I, Punakaiki S.D. .. 5 0 0 24/2/39 953 Marsden Road .. .. Reserve 1757, Block I, Hohonu S.D. .. 67 0 20 24/2/39 895 Waiho .. .. .. Reserve 1178, Block XI, Waiho S.D. .. 25 0 14-4 24/2/39 954 Waiho .. .. .. Reserve 1207, Block XI, Waiho S.D. .. 1 0 20 24/2/39 957 Marsden Road .. .. Reserve 1763, Block IV, Waimea S.D. .. 240 0 30 24/2/39 956 Limestone Road .. . . Reserve 1759, Block I, Hohonu S.D. .. 41 2 36 24/2/39 947 Harihari .. .. .. Reserve 1624, Block I, Poerua S.D. .. 13 0 0 24/2/39 957 Marsden Road .. In Block IV, Waimea S.D. .. .. 117 2 0 24/2/39 Total for Westland .. .. 815 1 18-4 Otaqo Land District. 959 Woodland .. .. .. Sections 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 16, and 17, Block XI, 622 3 20 24/2/39 Woodland S.D. Total for Otago .. .. .. 622 3 20 Southland Land District. 961 Haldane .. .. .. Parts Sections 48 and 50, Block VI, Otara 269 0 0 24/2/39' S.D. Total for Southland .. .. 269 0 0 Revocation of Reservations. Land. Area. I ,, D afce Proclamation. Marlborough Land District. A. B. P. Parts Section 36, Block I, Wakamarina S.D. .. .. .. .. .. I 31 0 19 | 21/9/38 Westland Land District. Part Reserve 1451, Block XI, Hohonu S.D. .. .. .. .. ..I 200 7/4/38 Part Reserve 969, Block I, Punakaiki S.D. .. .. .. .. .. 10 16-9 8/11/38 Part Reserve 966, Block I, Punakaiki S.D. .. .. .. .. .. ( 0 2 17-8 8/11/38 Southland Land District. Section 60, Block III, Jacob's River Hundred.. .. .. .. .. 20 2 0 23/6/38 Section 15, Block XIII, Waiau S.D. .. .. .. .. .. .. 210 21/9/38 Total area revoked during year .. .. .. .. .. 57 2 13-7 Summary of Reserves. Land District. Number. Area. A. R. r. North Auckland .. .. .. .. .. .. 5* 745 2 18-6 Auckland .. .. .. .. .. .. 3 6,133 1 39 Gisborne .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 9 3 12 Hawke's Bay .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 88 3 6 Taranaki .. .. .. .. .. .. 3* 1,937 1 19-45 Wellington .. .. .. .. .. .. 5 2,696 3 1 Nelson.. .. .. .. .. 8* 2,649 0 23 Marlborough .. .. .. .. .. .. 3* 937 2 0 Westland .. .. .. .. .. .. 14 815 1 18-4 Otago .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 622 3 20 Southland .. .. .... . . .. * 269 0 0 Total reservations for year ended 31st March, 1939 .. 44 16,905 2 37-45 Reservations up to 31st March, 1938 .. .. 1,076 802,504 1 33-39 1,120 819,410 0 30-84 Less reservations revoked .. .. .. 2 57 2 13-7 1,118 819,352 2 17-14 * Also additions to existing reserves.

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Statement showing Expenditure on Scenery Preservation for the Year ended 31st March, 1939. £ s. d. Acquisition of land and improvements to reserves .. .. •• 3,471 4 7 General administration, eradication of noxious weeds, maintenance, &c. .. .. 434 2 6 Surveys and valuations .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 104 19 0 Trounson Kauri Park : Charges in connection with improvement, maintenance, and protection .. . . .. .. . . . . .. . . 346 15 1 Waitangi Endowment: Tree-planting, &c. .. .. .. .. .. 719 18 6 Net expenditure for year .. .. .. .. .. .. £5,076 19 8

Comparison op Expenditure. It is interesting to note how money raised under the Act or provided from other sources has been expended. It will be seen that the cost of administration has been reduced to a very small proportion of the total expenditure.

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Year. I Compensation Fencing and Surveys Board's Salariea . TotaL for Land. Maintenance. Valuations, &c. Expenses. I l_ £ £ £ £ £ £ 1904-5 .. 216 Nil 52 1,822 * 2,090 1905-6 .. .. 3,336 „ 527 1,221 * 5,084 1906-7 .. .. 7,856 304 801 185 * 9,146 1907-8 .. .. 4,286 382 555 86 175 5,484 1908-9 .. .. 3,813 1,063 540 24 325 5,765 1909-10.. .. 1,688 1,159 2,603 Nil 325 5,775 1910-11 .. .. 1,066 685 1,643 11 325 3,730 1911-12.. .. 2,619 715 2,237 22 345 5,938 1912-13.. .. 12,997 798 2,697 6 345 16,843 1913-14.. .. 10,467 627 1,547 3 365 13,009 1914-15 .. .. 6,253 758 476 12 388 7,887 1915-16 .. .. 1,530 698 104 6 390 2,728 19.16-17 .. .. 252 836 76 1 390 1,555 1917-18 .. .. 428 602 114 3 390 1,537 1918-19 .. .. 1,295 1,964f 49 1 280 3,589 1919-20 .. .. 510 188 12 .. 40 750 1920-21 .. .. 3,031 471 299 .. 25 3,826 1921-22 .. .. 57,768 227 224 .. 25 58,244 1922-23.. 6,306 377 290 .. 25 6,998 1923-24 .. .. 1,488 118 1,589 .. 25 3,220 1924-25.. .. 1,158 1,565 240 .. 18 2,981 1925-26.. .. 17,923 2,310 305 9 .. 20,547 1926-27.. .. 2,617 1,182 75 17 .. 3,891 1927-28.. .. 5,182 1,342 58 17 6,599 1928-29.. .. 11,642 1,810 538 1 150$ 14,141 1929-30.. .. 445 1,548 108 6 300$ 2,407 1930-31 .. .. 574 1,335 92 2 300$ 2,303 1931-32.. .. 2,373 838 1,099 16 279$ 4,605 1932-33 .. .. 7 476 15 .. 200$ 698 1933-34.. .. 92 1,221 21 .. 156$ 1,490 1934-35.. .. 750 1,804§ 18 .. 38$ 2,610 1935-36.. .. 909 3,4731| 3 .. .. 4,385 1936-37.. .. 476 2,1321 .. .. .. 2,608 1937-38.. .. 3,327 2,196** 51 .. .. 5,574 1938-39.. .. 1,625 3,347ft 105 .. .. 5,077 Grand total .. 176,305 38,551 19,163 3,471 5,624 243,114 * Included in Board's expenses. f Includes £1,750 paid to Summit Road Scenic Reserve Board. J Ranger for Summit Road Scenic Reserves. § Includes £1,344 expended on Waitangi Endowment and Historic Reserve. || Includes £2,814 expended on Waitangi Endowment and Historic Reserve. If Includes £1,621 expended on Waitangi Endowment and Historic Reserve. ** Includes £1,102 expended on Waitangi Endowment and Historic Reserve. ft Includes £720 expended on Waitangi Endowment. It must be noted that the above expenditure does not include expenses of raising loans and recoupment of interest, &c.

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APPENDIX B. KAPITI ISLAND RESERVE. (H. W. C. Mackintosh, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) With the exception of a devastating gale experienced in the early part of January, 1939, the weather during the year could not have been better for both plant and bird life on the island. Sufficient rain fell at fairly regular intervals to prevent any drying up of the vegetation. The January gale was one of the worst visitations experienced for years, and undid much good work done in the way of planting out young trees, &c. The reserve received a severe buffeting, and not only in exposed positions but even in areas that were considered sheltered trees bear a scorched appearance. Trees were blown down in all directions. Along the eastern side a great many akeake (Olearia forsteri), which will withstand very severe conditions, succumbed through being drenched with salt spray, and the taupata (Copro.sma baueri), a seaside plant, suffered severely. It will be a considerable time before the bush is fully regenerated. After this storm the weather became very dry, but the position was saved again by rain towards the middle of March, when 1J in. was registered. The storm took a toll of the birds, too. The Caretaker found the remains of two tuis, two bell-birds, and three pigeons, and the trapper reported that he had seen dead birds lying in the bush and many nests blown down. Continual warfare is waged against rats and other vermin. Eleven hundred rats were accounted for by trapping. Opossums have been considerably reduced, as the trapper secured only 284 for the twelve months. I regret to report that vandalism by some visitors to the reserve has occurred during the year. Some misguided individuals persist in carving their initials and other devices on the trig, station. The Land Act, 1924, amongst other things, enacts that any one defacing a survey mark is guilty of a crime. The vandalism does not stop at the trig, station, but the stupid practice of carving initials and hieroglyphics on living trees has been resorted to. Once the bark of a tree is cut an opening is made for the wood-boring insects and the tree is doomed. Young plants have been found pulled up after some visitors have passed along the hill track, and on one occasion the Trapper's traps were all sprung. If this sort of conduct continues, it will be necessary to refuse permits except to accredited naturalists. The Caretaker desires me to thank the undermentioned donors of seeds and plants:— Mr. K. W. Dalrymple, Bulls .. .. . . .. Plants. Mr. N. Drummond, Whangarei . . . . . . . . Seeds and plants. Mr. A. Ainsworth, Kilbirme .. .. . . .. Plants. Mr. T. Hughes, Paraparaumu .. .. .. .. Seeds. Mr. G. W. Hughes, Kapiti .. .. .. .. Seeds and plants. The Caretaker also desires to acknowledge the assistance rendered to him by Messrs. R. Sinel, W. Forrest, D. Wells, and Mr. Band in connection with repairs to the boats and buildings. I once again express my highest appreciation of the painstaking manner in which Mr. A.. S. Wilkinson carries out his duties as Caretaker of the reserve. I append hereto extracts from Mr. Wilkinson's annual report:— " In spite of having had one of the worst storms of recent years thrust upon them in the middle of the breeding season, the birds seem to have reared the usual number of young. Some of them had already reared a brood before the New Year, others were either incubating their first clutch or were preparing to rear the second. The pipits, which come to the house for food, started nesting very early, and had two broods reared by January. We were looking to them to put up a record by rearing three families in a season, but for some reason or other they never bothered with any more nests. " The birds that nest in holes or hollow trees appear to have had a successful season. There are more young red-fronted parrakeets about than usual. Flocks of these birds can be seen at the present time feeding on grass-seed, toitoi, or trying the seed branches of the flax to see if any are ripe enough, but they will not derive much benefit from the flax this year, as that was all blasted just when it was in full flower. Only a plant here and there has any seed on it. Although the kaka that comes down every evening for a drink of syrup has never brought any young ones to the dish, we think they reared two young. An empty nest of this species was found 2 chains from our house which we think had been used by this pair. There was one addled egg in the bottom of a hollow mahoe, and among the debris lying in the nest were pieces of broken egg-shell and kaka feathers. From the appearance of the nest, the young had left only a few days before. These birds were not nearly so plentiful during the summer as in previous years. The rata, which usually provides them with a sumptuous feast about Christmas-time and which encourages many kaka to visit Kapiti in some years, did not flower at all. These trees never seem to flower in wet seasons. " Both the tui and bell-bird seem to have had a satisfactory season in spite of the fact that two of their main food-supplies were denied them at the time when it was urgently needed—food that is usually easily and quickly obtained. This was bound to affect them, and while we saw many young bell-birds about before January we knew of only two young tui, and they belonged to the pair that obtain almost a living from syrup supplied to them. As the breeding of birds is largely governed by the food-supply, the syrup this pair was able to obtain so easily probably induced them to breed somewhat earlier. The delay in their breeding operations, due to being upset in January, meant that most of the tuis would be late with their nesting arrangements, and this is proved by the fact that a batch of three young birds left the nest only a day or two ago. " Robins also appear to have done well. There is no doubt about it, these charming birds have certainly increased during the last few years. There seem to be twice as many about now as there were in 1924. The remarkable growth of the vegetation that has taken place all over the sanctuary, particularly in those places where formerly there was no cover of any description, has provided this bird with more feeding-grounds. Species such as the robin and tomtit, that usually nest in holes in trees, are easy prey for the rat.

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" The fantails also had a good year, judging by the results of those we had under review at Rangatira. We had three nests under observation, one of them not more than half a chain from our door, and the other two near the old whare. From these, nine young fannies were reared. " The domestic affairs of the whiteheads likewise seem to have been satisfactory. We knew of nearly a dozen nests, and although a few of them were destroyed in the January gales most of them produced young. Although some whiteheads were victimized by the parasitic long-tailed cuckoo, these birds were very scarce during the breeding season. We saw only one being fed by whiteheads, and this was by our house. For nearly a week they fed this bird, which was just about full grown and looked four times as big as themselves. All through the daylight hours, whenever we were near it, the young cuckoo could be heard crying out for food. From daylight until dark those two whiteheads worked like trojans trying to silence that monotonous whine. They must have carried enough food to feed a dozen of their own species, and yet they never satisfied that greedy creature, and they must have experienced intense relief when the cuckoo left for far-away Tahiti or wherever these Kapitireared birds go. " Kiwi are definitely increasing. Either that, or they are roaming about more than they have done before. Traces of them have been found on nearly every part of the reserve. Wherever the trapper goes he comes across the feathers of this bird caught up in the hooked grass (Uncinia riparia). Last winter some were heard calling at night in the bush behind the cottage, and one was seen by a surveyor on the track near the vegetable-garden at 9 o'clock one night. Early in January my daughter saw another kiwi about 3 o'clock in the afternoon a quarter of a mile south of Maenene. It was the little grey kiwi (Afteryx coweni). Two pair of grey ducks nested at Rangatira. One pair had eight little ones, and they lived in the swamp until they were ready to fly. They were fed daily on scraps of bread and wheat, and became tame enough to take food from our hands. Towards the end of February the swamp became almost dry, and some of the ducks flew away. They returned several times after this, usually at night, but their visits grew less and less until finally they stayed away altogether. About this time another duck appeared with a batch of young, but they were altogether different from the other family. Instead of coming to meet us when we took food down to them like the others had done, they kept well under cover. No doubt such caution was necessary, because a harrier had discovered them and was always hovering over the swamp, and sometimes sitting on the reeds near it, watching for an opportunity to seize one of the ducklings. The presence of this bird, and the fact that the swamp had nearly dried up, apparently decided the duck to seek safer quarters, and she took her family away. " A pair of paradise ducks nested by the boat-shed within half a chain of where they had hatched out seven young the year before. The nest was under a toitoi, and although I knew it was about somewhere I nearly trod on the bird before she slipped off. There were eight eggs lying amongst the down, which the bird had plucked from her body. Apparently they were about due to hatch, because the duck, which had settled on the boat-shed, where she stood watching me, flew straight back to resume her sitting as soon as I walked away. " On the flat at the north end the usual number of stilts and banded dotterel were in evidence. This place appears to be incapable of supporting more than about two dozen of each species, as no more than about that number breed there. After the season all the stilts and most of the banded dotterel go to other places. " The blue heron have retained the same status in regard to numbers as when we first came here. Every year they nest in the same old place and generally rear one or two young ones, yet they never increase. Apparently the season's increase is driven away to earn their living along the coast of the mainland. " The black shags nested as usual on the high pinnacles at the south-west corner. Although some of these birds can always be seen diving for food near the shores of Kapiti, many wend their way across to the shallower waters near the mainland, to return again to the island at sunset. "In early spring the little blue penguins were very much in evidence. Under nearly every rush bush, toitoi, or rock these queer little fellows could be found. They seemed to be everywhere, even under logs half a mile in the bush. One nest was found well above the cliffs of Paripatea at an altitude of about 300 ft. Why these birds should travel so far from water up such a steep place is beyond understanding. It must have taken them well over an hour to waddle and climb the distance. " The mutton-birds have extended their breeding-grounds so as to include many places that were unoccupied ten years ago. Their nesting burrows can be seen on most of the higher ridges in the sanctuary as well as on the highest portion of the Native land at the north end. The young birds appear to have reached maturity earlier this season, as the burrows in the colony at Paripatea were found to be empty when examined a week ago. " As in previous years, both species of gulls and white-fronted terns nested in large numbers. While the red-billed gull and terns usually breed together in colonies, and may pitch their camp anywhere on cliffs or beaches that take their fancy, the large gulls show their unsociable nature by choosing places as far removed from other birds, even their own species, as they can. " As has been the case during previous years, a good deal of planting and distributing of seeds on the reserve has been achieved. In this connection I have derived considerable help from Mr. G. W. Hughes, who, during the course of his trapping activities, travels over different parts of the sanctuary. " Although most of the trees planted out naturally belonged to the island, some had been sent from other parts of the Dominion by people interested in the native flora. " During the year some very useful additions were made to the equipment. An engine was installed for drawing the launch out of the water, thus making this performance only a matter of a few minutes. A 10-ft. dinghy was supplied to replace the old one that had reached the useless stage, and such necessary tools as a forge, anvil, vice, &c. The addition of these implements will be of great benefit, and will save expense and delay when a breakdown occurs. Alterations to the doors of the boat-shed were made. These are now much better, as they slide out of the way instead of swinging on hinges."

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