DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY SCENERY PRESERVATION REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1944, 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, 1944 Session I, C-06

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1944 NEW ZEALAND

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY SCENERY PRESERVATION REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1944, 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, 16th August, 1944. Sir, — I have the honour to submit herewith a report on scenery preservation for the year ended 31st March, 1944. I have, &c., R. G. Macmorran, Under-Secretary for Lands. The Hon. the Minister in Charge of Scenery Preservation, Wellington.

REPORT

The past year was one of restricted activity so far as the actual reservation of new areas was concerned, and Proclamations issued covered si total area of only 143 acres. Several purchases were made, but the transfers to the Crown were not completed in time to permit of the reservation of the land concerned during the period under review. These areas, together with some gift areas referred to below and various pieces of Crown land that have been selected for reservation, will be dealt with in the next report. An area of 30 acres in the Clevedon district, Manukau County, lias been donated to the Crown by Orere Estates, Ltd. The gift area adjoins the Te Morehu Scenic Reserve, given by the late Captain Humphreys-Davies, and the combined areas will form a valuable bush reserve in a district where but little native bush remains. A generous gift of 218 acres in the Kaeo Parish, North Auckland, has been made by Mr. J. W. Hayes and members of his family, residents of Kaeo. The main portion of the area is in native bush of considerable merit, and there is an outstanding hill of bold rocky formation. Apart from desiring that the land should be created a scenic reserve, it is the expressed wish of the donors to preserve a water-catchment area for Kaeo Township. In Westland some lake margins formerly laid out as road reserves but not required as such have been added to adjoining scenic reserves, and some small islands in Lake Brunner possessing historical interest as well as scenic beauty have been set aside under the Act. During the year the small area on which is situated the Canterbury Women s Pioneer Memorial, and which was donated by the late Mr. J. F. Scott at Opawa, was transferred to the Crown. It is proposed to reserve the area for scenic and historic purposes and to grant control to the Christcliurch City Council. The gift of this area, on which is erected a suitable memorial to commemorate the

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pioneer women of Canterbury who passed over the spot when journeying from Lyttelton over the Port Hills to the plains, is much appreciated, and will add further interest to the attractions of the hills overlooking Christchurch. An area of 371 acres of freehold land in the McKerrow Survey District, beyond Lake Wanaka on the Haast Pass Road, was, with the consent of the owners, Makarora Ltd., declared a private scenic reserve. As far as possible under existing conditions, endeavours have been made to keep scenic reserves under observation. Valuable work has again been accomplished by Honorary Inspectors and members of Scenic Boards, although the Boards have had of necessity to curtail some of their operations in the way of general maintenance and improvement of reserves. Two fires in the Wakatipu locality seriously damaged a considerable area of bush. The fires occurred in isolated localities, and could not be dealt with in time to prevent their spread. In other districts no fire damage of any moment was reported, despite prolonged spells of dry weather in various localities. The usual maintenance and improvement work, including the planting of windbreaks, was carried out on the valuable and popular Trounson Kauri Park Reserve near Kaihu. The. well-known Cape Kidnapper Reserve continues to interest a great many people, and it is pleasing to be able to report that the area occupied by the gannets seems to be increasing year by year. The following schedule gives details of the areas actually set apart during the year :—

Reserves made in 1943-44 under the Scenery Preservation Act, 1908, and Amendments

The reservation over three areas totalling 37 acres 1 rood 36-6 perches was revoked during the year. The number of scenic reservations in the Dominion is now 1,197, covering a total area of 850,160 acres. Expenditure during the year amounted to £1,994, details being as follows :— £ Acquisition of land ... .. .. .. .. ... .. 747 General administration, maintenance charges, improvements, and grants to Scenic Boards .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 263 Trounson Kauri Park: Charges in connection with improvement, maintenance, and protection .. .. .. .. .. .. 367 Waitangi Endowment: Tree-planting, &c . . . . .. . . 617 Total expenditure for year .. . . .. .. .. £1,994The total expenditure to date since 1904 is £260,863, including £185,367 spent on the acquisition of land.

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given ; printing (582 copies), £3 10s.

By Authority: E. V. Paul, Government Printer, Wellington. —1944. I'iice 3d.]

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Local Name. Description. Area. Proclamation. Marlborough Land District a. b. p. Pelorus Bridge (addition) .. | Section 64, Block IX, Wakamarina Survey District I 49 0 00 I * Westland Land District Lake Brunner (addition) . . Reserve 1823 (formerly closed road), Blocks XI 22 0 00 12/2/44 and XII, Hohonu Survey District „ „ . . Refuge Islands, situated in Block IX, Te Kinga 1 2 00 12/2/44 Survey District Lake Kaniere (addition) .. Reserve 1824 (formerly Lot 1, D.P. 900), being part 12 3 15 12/2/44 Sections 1699 and 1778, Block XI, Kaniere Survey District )( „ .. Reserve 1825 (formerly Lot 2, D.P. 990), being part 7 3 26 12/2/44 Sections 1699 and 1778, Block XI, Kaniere Survey District Lake Wahapo (addition) .. Reserve 1839 (formerly closed road), Block XVI, 50 0 00 12/2/44 Okarito Survey District, and Block XIII, Wataroa Survey District Total .. . . „ .143 1_01 * Education-endowment land set apart for scenic purposes by section 10 of the Beserves and other Lands Disposal Act, 1943.