DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY. SCENERY PRESERVATION. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1940, 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, 1940 Session I, C-06

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1910. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY. SCENERY PRESERVATION. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1940, 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, 1940. Sir, — I have the honour to submit herewith a report on scenery preservation for the year ended 31st March, 1940. I have, &c., R. C. Macmorran, Under-Secretary for Lands. The Hon. Frank Langstone, Minister in Charge of Scenery Preservation, Wellington.

REPORT.

Areas sot apart during the year by Proclamation or otherwise as scenic or historic reserves under the Scenery Preservation Act covered a total area of 5,951 acres. In the North Auckland Land District an area of 2 acres 3 roods 2-6 perches adjoining Roose's Bush, in Pukekohe, was purchased for the sum of £450. The Department contributed £400, the Borough Council finding the balance and agreeing to fence the area within a reasonable time and to keep it in good order. The new reserve adjoins an area of 26 acres 3 roods which was acquired by the Borough Council for £4,000 some years ago after a poll of ratepayers had been taken. The area of 169 acres of native bush on Manaia Mountain referred to in last year's report as having been acquired from the estate of the late Mr. J. J. Craig was set apart under the Act during the year. The purchase price was £120. The reserves at Bream Head and Manaia Mountain now comprise a total area of 1,086 acres, and arrangements have been made to place them under the control of the Whangarei Harbour Board, which has always been keen to preserve the amenities of the district and which has facilities that the Department does not possess for patrolling the reserves. Bush areas totalling 1,010 acres were set apart along the Russell-Whangaruru Road. They comprise— (a) An area of 463 acres 2 roods of freehold purchased from Mr. B. G. Hall for 10s. an acre plus cost of fencing. (b) Two Native areas (parts of Tutaematai B 2 Block) containing together 546 acres 3 roods 36 perches. In this case the Department gave an area of 405 acres of Crown land suitable for Native-land-development purposes and also paid the sum of £161 by way of equality of exchange. The Russell-Whangaruru Road runs for some miles through very fine mixed bush in its virgin state. The forest is fully representative of the best New Zealand bush, and contains magnificent specimens of kauri and totara, while numerous kauris grow immediately on the roadside. Apart altogether from the bush, splendid views of the Waikare River, Manawara Bay, Kerikeri River, Mangonui Inlet, and Whangaruru Harbour open up at several points, making the whole road an exceedingly fine scenic drive.

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With the consent of the Education Department an area of 652 acres 2 roods 18 perches of educationendowment land in Mangonui County was declared to be subject to the Scenery Preservation Act. It is broken country in mixed bush, and comprises practically the only remaining forest area in that part of the district. The reserve is a catchment area for the Toa Stream, which gives a steady flow of pure water for the farming-lands lower down, and in times of heavy rain helps to lessen the flooding that is a serious problem in the Mangonui district. The Toa Stream joins up with the Parapara Stream a tributary of the Awapoko River, flowing into Doubtless Bay. An adjoining area of ordinary Crown land is also being set aside, together with a small area that has been purchased from a private owner. Two other education endowments in North Auckland were also made available for scenic reservation during the year. They were— (a) An area of 365 acres in Block 11, Opuawhanga Survey District, Whangarei County, comprising broken to steep country in mixed bush with numerous small stands of kauri rikas, and a good natural regeneration of rimu and totara. The steep hillsides would quickly erode if denuded of forest cover, and it was considered very desirable that the area should be given the protection of the provisions of the Scenery Preservation Act. The reserve is situated on the Opuawhanga-Mimiwhangata Road, and there are splendid seascapes from the higher portions. (b) An area of 98 acres near Albany, Waitemata County, comprising steep and broken country in scrub and light bush with a number of fine kauri rikas. Reservations in the Auckland Land District totalled some 699 acres. In 1937 Mr. C. R. Clark offered to give portion of his property near the Marakopa Palls on condition that the Department shared the cost of clearing a fencing-line and erecting a fence. The offer was gratefully accepted, and a survey was later carried out to fix the boundaries of the gift area. The area was found to be 174 acres, and a transfer to the Crown was later completed. The Department's share of the cost of fencing was £80. The area acquired through Mr. Clark's generosity is situated across the river from the existing Marakopa Falls Scenic Reserve, and the bush forms a natural and impressive setting for the falls. An area of 49 acres 3 roods 5-1 perches of bush land at Waingarara was obtained in exchange for an area of 87 acres 2 roods 32 perches of Crown land. The newly acquired area is situated across the road from the Ohiwarau Scenic Reserve, in the Gisborne Land District, and the two reserves comprise the best piece of bush scenery in the locality. The Department shared the cost of fencing the boundary between the new reserve and the remainder of the adjoining owner's property. A bush area of 30 acres 2 roods 20 perches in the Te Miro Settlement, near Cambridge, was reserved during the year. A Proclamation was issued covering an area of 88 acres 3 roods 32 perches surrounding Shakespeare Cliff, on Cook's Bay, Coromandel Peninsula. This area was purchased in 1923 for the sum of £125, but although a transfer was taken the formal reservation of the land was overlooked at the time. This cliff was the site of Captain Cook's observation of the transit of Mercury. An area of 34 acres and 13 perches of light bush at Thornton's Bay, on the Firth of Thames, was acquired for £100. The local people contributed half the purchase price, the Department finding the balance and arranging for the survey and the transfer of the land to the Crown. Three local residents have been appointed as honorary Scenic Inspectors with a view to safeguarding the new reserve from trespass and other damage. Bush areas totalling 322 acres near Te Puke were taken for scenic purposes under the provisions of the Public Works Act. The land covers the source of the borough water-supply, and with the addition of an area of adjoining Crown land now in course of reservation and some Native land in the Otawa Block which will be acquired the watershed will be fully protected. The Borough Council is co-operating with the Department, and is to share the cost of acquisition of the freehold and Native land. In the Gisborne Land District an area of 70 acres was reserved as an addition to the Whinray Park Scenic Reserve. The area comprises a deep sheltered bush basin, and was surrendered by a Crown tenant, the Department arranging for the survey and sharing in the fencing charges. A new reserve of 96 acres was set apart on a bend of the Hangaroa River and placed under the control of the Cook County Council. The area contains a very fine stand of kahikatea. An area of 1,076 acres of education-endowment land in Patea County, Taranaki, was declared to be a scenic reserve. It comprises rugged bush-clad country traversed for about three miles by the road to Moeawatea, which there drops by a succession of curves about 1,200 ft. into the valley of the Whcnuakura. The block will make an excellent reserve, and apart altogether from the scenic aspect it is very necessary that the bush should be preserved in order to prevent slips from damaging the road. When the Greystoke Settlement, near Marton, was cut up for soldier settlement in 1916 a section of 20 acres 3 roods was withheld from disposal with a view to its reservation for scenic purposes. The area was in good bush which had always been fenced off from the rest of the estate and preserved in its virgin condition by the owners of the property. The land has since been held by the Department, and during the year the original purpose was carried out by the formal reservation of the laud under the Scenery Preservation Act. An area of 4 acres of light mixed bush at Tawa Flat was donated by Mr. J. W. Mexted a few years ago. Certain title difficulties were met with, but during the year the transfer to the Crown was completed and the land reserved. The Department has undertaken to bear the cost of all fencing required to protect the new reserve.

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Areas totalling 1,317 acres in the Marlborough Land District were set apart during the year, brief particulars being as follows :— («) An area of 93 acres of heavy bush in Nydia Bay, Pelorus Sound. This area, which will form a valuable addition to the existing reserves in Nydia Bay, was purchased for £100 from the Brownlee Investment Co., Ltd. (b) An area of 147 acres at Brooklyn Bay, Havelock, acquired from the State Advances Corporation for the sum of £50. (c) An area of 966 acres on the north shore of the Mahakipawa arm of Pelorus Sound, about four miles from Havelock, comprising 951 acres of abandoned leasehold in which the State Advances Corporation was interested as mortgagee, and 25 acres of freehold offered to the Department for reserve purposes by the Official Assignee. A payment of £150 was made to the Corporation in full satisfaction of its interest in improvements on the 951 acres. (d) An area of 110 acres of rough bush land in the Hundalee district, south of Kaikoura. The land was surrendered from a lease of a small grazing-run. In the Westland Land District an area of 215 acres was added to the reserves in the Marsden Road locality, and an area of 100 acres to the Omotumotu Scenic Reserve alongside the Greymouth Borough boundary. In Otago an area of 37 acres of unformed coastal road was closed and brought under the provisions of the Scenery Preservation Act so as to give the fullest possible protection to the Opiti Blowhole and other natural features in the vicinity. The blowhole is a popular attraction to people visiting the beach at Jack's Bay. It lies about 6 chains from high-water mark, is some 100 ft. in length by 50 ft. in width, and has a depth of probably 140 ft. When heavy seas are running it presents a wonderful sight. A natural tunnel piercing a headland nearby is also of considerable interest. The locality is within easy reach of Pounawea, and people staying at that popular resort usually make a trip to the blowhole during their holiday. In Southland an area of 16 acres of particularly fine bush in an education-endowment leasehold near the Town of Wyndham was set apart for scenic purposes during the year. The thanks of the Department are due to the lessees for their public-spirited action in surrendering the area and to the Education Department for agreeing to the land being taken out of the education endowment. The Lands Department carried out the survey and bore all incidental expenses in the matter. The areas set apart throughout the Dominion during the year may be roughly classified as follows :— Class of Land. . A rea . (Acres). Education endowment set aside by special legislation .. .. .. 2,207 Private and Native land acquired by Department .. .. .. 1,510 Crown leasehold areas made available in various ways .. .. .. 1,247 Private and Native land taken under Public Works Act .. .. .. 322 Crown land and closed road areas .. .. .. .. .. 400 Freehold gift areas (two cases) .. .. .. .. .. 178 Obtained in exchange for Crown land .. .. .. .. .. 50 Private land acquired by Department assisted by local bodies and public subscriptions .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 37 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 5,951 The reservation over scenic reserve areas totalling 45 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 1,138, covering a total area of 825,255 acres. Supervision of Reserves. During the year special Scenic Boards were appointed or reappointed as follows : The Nelson City Council, to control the Ururakau and Dun Mountain Scenic Reserves; the Urenui Pa Scenic Board, to control the Urenui Pa Scenic and Historic Reserve; the Matamata County Council, to control the Maungatautari Mountain Scenic Reserve; the Tuatapere Scenic Board, to control the Tuatapere Scenic Reserves; the Te Kuiti Borough Council, to control the Mangaokewa Gorge Scenic Reserve ; the Rangitikei County Council, to control the Greystoke Scenic Reserve ; the Moana Scenic Board, to control various reserves around Lake Brunner; the Taumarunui Borough Council, to control three small reserves near the borough; the Waitotara County Council, to control the Ngawaierua Scenic Reserve; the Riwaka Scenic Board, to control the Riwaka Scenic Reserve; the Waima Scenic and Historic Board, to control the Waima Scenic and Historic Reserve; the Ashburton County Council, to control the Sharplin Falls Scenic Reserve; the Wairarapa Lakeshore Scenic Board, to control the Wairarapa Lake-shore Scenic Reserve ; the Cook County Council, to control a reserve of 96 acres; the Pukekohe Borough Council, to control a small reserve in the borough; and the Akaroa Borough Council, to control the Britomart Historic Reserve. The Department is represented on the Urenui Pa Scenic Board. Additional areas were placed under the control of the Ship Cove, Punakaiki, Hundalee, Kirk's Bush, and Pelorus Bridge Scenic Boards. Eighty-five ladies and gentlemen were appointed as honorary Inspectors of Scenic Reserves. The supervision exercised by the honorary Inspectors is very much appreciated by the Department, and assists materially in restricting trespasses of various kinds and damage to reserves by thoughtless people.

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The Timaru Borough Council relinquished control of the Claremont Scenic Reserve, as it was found that the reserve was too far from the town to permit of adequate supervision. The scenic reservation over the open portion of 8 acres of the reserve was revoked, and the land made a plantation reserve and vested in the Levels County Council. The remaining 36 acres is. being administered by the Department. Condition of Reserves, etc. Reports from various sources indicate that scenic reserves throughout the Dominion are generally in good condition. The fire hazard was lighter than usual in most districts, owing to the plentiful rainfall during the summer months. A scrub fire oil private land adjacent to the Ma,nginangina Scenic Reserve, near Kaeo, occurred in February, and gave every indication of developing into serious proportions. However, prompt measures taken by the Caretaker of the Puteti State Forest wore instrumental in suppressing the outbreak, and only very minor damage was caused to the reserve. No fire damage occurred in Marlborough, where in past years the reserves, particularly in the Sounds, have suffered severely. A fire in fern country on the slopes of Mount Robert, in the Lake Rotoiti Reserve, damaged an area where the bush was regenerating. Legal proceedings are being instituted in this case as a warning to the public against the indiscriminate lighting of fires. In an Otago case a conviction was obtained against a person who permitted a fire lit on his property to penetrate into the Pounawea Scenic Reserve. In Southland proceedings were taken against some campers on a scenic reserve who were responsible for some minor damage to the bush. The sum of £390 was expended in fencing reserves and in grants to Scenic Boards for general administration and maintenance purposes. It is desired to give more attention to the protection of reserves by adequate fencing. Stock trespass is a problem in some districts, and it is proposed to make representations for some amendments to the Impounding Act to give the Department wider powers than it possesses at present to deal with trespassing stock. Reserves have been inspected by members of the field staff as often as possible during the year, and the Department has again been encouraged in its efforts to safeguard and extend the Dominion's scenic reserves by willing assistance given by other Departments, by local bodies and other organizations, and by many private citizens throughout the country. It seems clear that the public generally are becoming convinced that bush areas are a valuable asset to the Dominion. General. The usual maintenance and improvement work was again carried out on Trounson Kauri Park Reserve. A considerable area surrounding the park has been declared a fire district, and the cooperation of occupiers within the district is being sought to ensure compliance with the conditions relating to the lighting of fires within the area. It has been the practice of tourists when passing the sacred tree or " wishing " tree on Hongi's Track, between Lakes Rotoiti and Rotoehu, to place fern fronds taken from the scenic reserve along the road against the tree, thus perpetuating a custom which had a real significance and value to the Maori, but which is meaningless so far as tourists and other users of the road are concerned. A warning notice has now been placed near the tree, and the services of those engaged in conducting tourists through the drive have now been enlisted to prevent any further interference with the flora. The Cape Kidnapper Bird Sanctuary has proved more popular than ever, and each year_ sees increasing numbers of visitors. Additional water-tanks have been provided for the use of visitors. The gannets seem to be increasing and to be making more nesting-places along the cliffs. Terns are also increasing, and nesting on the rocks at Black Reef. The Pelorus Bridge Scenic Board has erected a substantial caretaker's cottage, with, provision for community and tea rooms. This should prove a most valuable public amenity, and the Board should now be able to install a permanent caretaker. At Ship Cove a landing jetty is in course of construction by the Public Works Department. Reports indicate that native bird-life in Otago is flourishing in the Catlins and Papatowai districts, where extensive areas of bush have been set aside. The Ranger on Stewart Island reports that bird-life on the island is plentiful and shows no signs of diminution as a whole. He spent as much time as possible about the reserves, and when weather conditions would not permit long journeys patrolled the bush and roads near the township in order to protect pigeons and other native birds. Future Operations. It is proposed to issue Proclamations covering extensive areas of Crown land and selected portions of State forests in the near future. However, the Department will be able to do only a very little in the way of purchasing private lands and fencing reserves, as it seems evident that the prevailing conditions will impose a more or less drastic cut in the funds available for general scenic purposes. That this should be necessary is most regrettable. Reflection prompts the remark that it is also perhaps rather a striking commentary on the comparative values assigned to various spheres of endeavour. 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 1939-40 under the Scenery Preservation Act, 1908, and Amendments.

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Local Name. Description. j Area. | Prodamation. North Auckland Land District. A. b. p. Whangaruru Road .. .. Part of Tutaematai A Block in Blocks VII, VIII, 463 2 0 17/5/39 XI, and XII, Russell Survey District Pukokoho .. .. .. Lots 20 to 27, inclusive, D.P. 16013, Block XV, 2 3 2-6 20/10/39 Drury S.D. Manaia Mountain .. .. Allotments 57, 58, 59, and Part 60, Manaia Parish 169 0 0 20/10/39 Oruru .. .. .. Allotments 30 and 40 and Part 41, Oruru Parish.. 652 2 18 * Albany .. .. . . Part Allotment 305, Pukeatua Parish .. .. 96 2 17 * Albany .. .. .. Allotment 367, Pukeatua Parish .. .. 1 1 34 * Helena Bay .. .. .. Section 16, Block II, Opuawhanga S.D. .. 365 0 0 * Whangaruru Road .. .. Part Tutaematai B 2, Section 4, Blocks VII and 417 1 20 7/2/40 VIII, Russell S.D. Whangaruru Road .. .. Part Tutaematai B 2, Section 3, Blocks VII and 129 2 16 7/2/40 VIII, Russell S.D. Total for North Auckland .. 2,297 3 27-6 Auckland Land District. Marakopa River .. .. Part Section 7, Block X, Kawhia South S.D. .. 174 0 0 17/5/39 Te Miro .. .. .. Section 96s, Te Miro Settlement, Block II, Cam- 30 2 20 17/5/39 bridge S.D. Thornton's Bay . . .. Lot I, D.P. 28224, Thames S.D. .. .. 34 0 13 17/5/39 Otawa .. . . .. Sections 3, 4, and 9, Block I, Maketu S.D. .. 50 1 24 23/8/39 Otawa .. .. . . Section 5, Block I, Maketu S.D. .. .. 20 1 8 23/8/39 Otawa .. .. .. Section 6, Block I, Maketu S.D. .. .. 32 3 24 23/8/39 Otawa . . . . .. Section 10, Block I, Maketu S.D. .. .. 14 3 24 23/8/39 Otawa .. .. .. Section 13, Block I, Maketu S.D. .. .. 87 2 32 23/8/39 Otawa .. .. .. Section 14, Block I, Maketu S.D. .. .. 74 3 8 23/8/39 Otawa .. .. .. Part Waitaha No. 1b, Section 1, Maketu S.D. .. 22 0 27 23/8/39 Otawa .. .. .. Part Waitaha No. 1b, Section 2, Maketu S.D. .. 18 3 21 23/8/39 Otawa .. .. .. Part Waitaha No. Ib, Section 3, Maketu S.D. .. 0 0 24 23/8/39 Waingarara .. .. .. Part Allotments 334 and 356, Waimana Parish .. 49 3 5-1 20/10/39 Shakespearo's Cliff .. .. Lot 1, D.P. 15405, Otama S.D. .. .. 88 3 32 29/11/39 Total for Auckland .. .. 699 2 22 • 1 Oisborne Land District. Hangaroa .. .. .. Section 31, Block X, Hangaroa S.D. .. .. 96 0 30 20/10/39 Whinray Park .. .. Section 12, Block IV, Urutawa East S.D. .. 70 0 9 20/10/39 Total for Gisborne .. .. 166 0 39 Taranaki Land District. Moeawatea Road .. .. Section 11, and Part Section 2, Block VIII, Opaku 1,076 2 35 * S.D. Total for Taranaki .. .. 1,076 2 35 Wellington Land District. Greystoke .. .. .. Section 9s, Greystoke Settlement, Block XI, Wan- 20 3 0 17/5/39 gaehu S.D. Tawa Flat .. .. .. Part Sections 48 and 50, Porirua District, and 4 0 19-6 6/11/39 Part Section 6, Tukapu District, Blocks V and VII, Belmont S.D. Total for Wellington .. .. 24 3 19-6 Marlborough Land District. Chance Bay .. .. .. Section 149, Block IV, Orieri S.D. .. .. 93 0 0 17/5/39 Hundalee .. .. .. Section 10, Block XV, Hundalee S.D. .. .. 110 0 0 20/10/39 Mahakipawa.. .. .. Sections 146 and 147, District of Pelorus SounU 966 1 24 20/10/39 and Sections 16, 17, 18, 19, and Part Section 2, Block IX, Linkwater S.D. Brooklyn Bay .. .. Sections 10, 11, 13, and 48, Pelorus Sound R.D. .. 64 0 0 7/2/40 Brooklyn Bay .. .. Section 2 of Square 21, Pelorus Sound R.D. .. 10 3 0 7/2/40 Brooklyn Bay .. .. Sections 9 and 14, Block VIII, Wakamarina S.D. 73 0 0 7/2/40 Total for Marlborough .. 1,317 0 24 Westland Land District. Marsden Road .. .. Reserve 1787, Block IV, Waimea S.D. .. .. 215 0 0 17/5/39 Omotumotu .. .. Reserve 1788, Block IX, Arnold S.D. .. .. 100 1 32 17/5/39 Total for Westland .. .. 315 1 32 * Education-endowment laud set apart for scenic purposes by section 21 of the Keserves and other Lands Disposal Act, 193B.

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Reserves made in 1939-40 under the Scenery Preservation Act, 1908, and Amendments—continued.

Revocation of Reservations.

Summary of Reserves.

Statement showing Expenditure on Scenery Preservation for the Year ended 31st March, 1940. £ s. d. Acquisition of land and improvements to reserves .. .. .. .. 3,345 2 0 General administration, eradication of noxious weeds, maintenance, &c. .. .. 392 9 11 Surveys and valuations .. .. • ■ • • • • • • • • 27 12 2 Trounson Kauri Park : Charges in connection with improvement, maintenance, and protection .. .. • • • • • ■ • • • • • • 312 14 1 Waitangi Endowment: Tree-planting, &c. .. .. .. .. .. 1,076 410 Net expenditure for year .. .. •. • • • • .. £5,154 3 0 The total expenditure to date since 1904 is £248,268, made up as follows : Compensation for land, £179,160 ; fencing and maintenance, £40,822, surveys and valuations, &c., £19,191 ; expenses of Scenery Preservation Board, £3,471 ; and salaries, £5,624. These figures include expenses entailed in connection with the Waitangi Endowment and Historic Reserve, but do not include expenses of raising loans, recoupment of interest, &c.

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Local Name. | Description. j Area. Prodaraatton. Otago Land District. Opiti Blowhole .. .. Section 1494b, Block I, Woodland S.D. .. 37 0 0 17/5/39 Total for Otago .. .. 37 0 0 Southland Land District. Wyndham .. .. .. Part Section 1, Block VI, Wyndham S.D. .. 16 2 12 * Total for Southland .. .. 16 2 12 * Education-endowment land set apart for scenic purposes by section 21 of the Beservos and other Lauds Disposal Act, 1939.

t * a Date of Ijan(i * Area. i p roc lamation. Wellington Land District. A. r. p. Part Section 62, Block XIV, Ohinewairua S.D. .. .. .. .. 1 2 33 3/6/39 Part Section 17, Block IX, Ruahine S.I). .. .. .. .. .. 36 3 0 16/10/39 Section 10, Block VIII, Town of Pongaroa .. .. .. .. .. 010 14/12/39 Nelson Land District. Part Section 6, Block VII, Ngakawau S.D. .. .. .. .. ..1 2 2 15 1 24/11/39 Canterbury Land District. Part Reserve 3891, Block III, Otaio S.D. .. .. .. .. .. 8 0 32-5 20/10/39 49 2 0-5

Land Distriot. Number. Area. A. E. P. North. Auckland .. .. .. •• •• •• 6* 2,297 3 27-6 Auckland 4* 699 2 22-1 Gisborne .. • • ■ • • • • • • • • 1* 166 0 39 Taranaki .. .. .. .. • • •• 2 1,076 2 35 Wellington . . .. .. • • • • • • 2 24 3 19-6 Marlborough .. .. .. .. •• 3* 1,317 0 24 Westland .. .. • ■ • • ■ ■ • • * 315 1 32 Otago .. .. •• •• •• •• ■■ 1 37 0 0 Southland .. .. • • • • • • • • 1 16 2 12 Total reservations for year ended 31st March, 1940 .. 20 5,951 2 11-3 Reservations up to 31st March, 1939 .. .. 1,118 819,352 2 17-14 1,138 825,304 0 28-44 Less reservations revoked .. .. .. Parts only 49 2 0-5 1,138 _ 825,254 2 27-94 * Also additions to existing reserves.

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APPENDIX B. KAPITI ISLAND RESERVE. (H. W. C. Mackintosh, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) The past year has been a record one as far as growth of vegetation is concerned, the almost continuous rains and absence of gales providing ideal growing-conditions. Although the plants made wonderful headway, the trees, with some exceptions, produced very little fruit. Of the larger trees, the karaka was the only one which produced any berries ; there were hardly any on ngaio, tawa, hinau, titoki, matai, or miro. Some of the smaller trees, however, had fair crops, especially the mahoe. The kotukutuku, or fuchsia, produced its usual wealth of blossom and berries, much to the delight of the honeyeaters. The same may be said of the coprosmas, particularly the taupata and the karamu. Amongst the shrubs and small trees, the flowers of the karo and tawhiri provided the honeyeaters with plenty of nectar, and these trees were always well patronized. The seeds of these species are, however, never eaten by the birds. The vines were disappointing, too, in that they did not produce much fruit. The parsonsia, kohia, kareao, and tataramoa or bush-lawyer did not flower as usual. The flax (harakeke) had no flowers at all, and with the kohia flowerless the parrakeets were deprived of a good quantity of their food. The climbing rata had a fair showing of flowers, but only a few of the rata trees produced any bloom. The few pohutukawa on the island bloomed extremely well. Why the rata should fail and the pohutukawa be covered with flowers is a puzzling matter. It is interesting to note that during a ramble through the Te Rere Valley with a party of naturalists in January last, Mr. A. Morris Jones found a fern not hitherto found on the island. This is the Blechnum patersoni, and there are two healthy clumps of it. Mr. Wilkinson desires me to thank the following donors of plants and seeds : — Mr. A. Morris Jones, Kelburn, Wellington .. .. .. Plants and seeds. Mr. Norman Drummond, Whangarei .. .. .. Seeds. Mr. Max Roberts, Kilbirnie .. .. .. .. Plants. Mr. Edgar F. Stead, Christchurch .. .. .. .. Plants. Captain Sanderson, Paekakariki . . . . .. .. Plants. Mr. A. Ainsworth, Kilbirnie .. .. .. .. Plants. Mr. R. Sutherland, Hinakura . . . . . . .. Plant. Mrs. R. Stidolph, Masterton .. .. .. .. Plants. A considerable amount of planting was done on the island during the year. Mr. Wilkinson also desires to thank the Wellington Acclimitization Society for a donation of three sacks of barley for the water-fowl. Trapping of vermin has been carried out vigorously throughout the year. Over one thousand rats have been destroyed, while opossums are being gradually thinned out. I must again record my high appreciation of the able and painstaking manner in which the Caretaker, Mr. A. S. Wilkinson, carries out his duties. I append hereto extracts from his report concerning the welfare of the birds :— " Excepting for the tui and korinu.,ko, the hush birds seem to have had a fair season. We saw very few young tui or korimako, but plenty of young whiteheads, robins, and fantails. The long-tailed cuckoo was scarce on the island during the breeding season, which was to the benefit of the whitehead, for this parasite not only imposes on the whitehead by laying in its nest, thus forcing the whitehead to rear its young, but it also takes young birds out of nests. Even when the young have left the nest they are not safe from this pirate. For some reason tomtits seem scarce, although more are seen now than twelve months ago. A few years ago fantails were scarce, but are now plentiful enough. These birds, of course, could fly to and from the mainland if they so desired. One black fant-ail from the South Island was seen during the year. " The parrot family had a good season, judging by the numerous young parrakeets about, and we have seen several young kaka about Rangatira. Moreporks likewise were successful in their breeding operations. "We did not find a pigeon's nest during the nesting season. None of those near our house bred. Nor did we see a young pigeon anywhere on the island, so it looks as if they had a spell. The kiwi seem to be multiplying, as they are now heard calling in many new places. Their feathers can be found attached to the hooked grass, matau-a-maui, pretty well all over the sanctuary. Wekas are also doing well. " The birds of the open places had a very good year. Our house pipits reared two broods very early in the spring, and then had a rest. " Stilts and dotterel nested at the north end in larger numbers than usual. We saw a flock of forty stilts flying about the lake. Amongst them were quite a number of young. Several dozen young dotterel were also noticed. " Water-fowl also had a good season. The paradise ducks reared three broods of young on the Webber property, and the pair that live about Rangatira reared nine young ones. These young left as soon as they reached maturity, but almost daily return to the beaches where they were reared, and for hours squat with their parents.

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" The grey ducks reared two broods near the swamp. The first batch went away as soon as they could fly, and we have not seen them since, at least not in the daytime. They may come back at night, because there is always a great commotion going on down the swamp every night after dark. Some of the second batch also went away. One of these was decapitated by a harrier when it was a fortnight old. A harrier also attacked another one and badly damaged its wing. Several of the harriers have been trapped, and there are some more that want to be served likewise as they are always hovering over the swamp after the ducks. " During the visit to the lake at the north end in January, I counted fourteen kuruwhengi (shoveller duck) flying from one end of the lake to the other. As they looked to be young birds they apparent y were bred there. We did not see any sign of teal during our visit. " The sea-birds had an excellent season. Besides the usual nesting-grounds being occupied, many new sites were used. The mutton-birds nested along the western side in all the prominent points of the cliffs which were suitable. Several other colonies of these petrels were found in the bush on the eastern side. A very large colony of both species of gulls red-billed and black-backed nested on the end of the long point at the north end. The birds were spread along the boulder-bank for about 3 chains. To the south of the gull colony on the same beach was another one of white-fronted terns with a few red-billed gulls. In these two nesting-places there must have been at least two hundred birds. On Tokamapuna, also, hundreds of gulls and terns nested and reared their young. " The shags resorted, as usual, to the high pinnacles at the south-west corner for the purpose of rearing their young. A few of them also nested near Tokahaki, at the most northern part of the island. The blue herons seem to be in about the same numbers as when we came here fifteen years ago. During all that time we have known of only one new nesting-place, which has been occupied every season for some years no\t. One old nesting-site was deserted five or six years ago and has not been used since.

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not. given ; printing (000 copies), £10 159.

By Authority: E. V. Paul, Government Printer, Wellington.-—1940.

Price, (id].

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