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1904. NEW ZEALAND.

PUBLIC DOMAINS.

Laid before both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency the Governor.

The following is a synopsis of the annual reports of Domain Boards furnished to the Minister of Lands in accordance with the provisions of section 5 of " The Public Domains Act Amendment Act 1903 " :— Akaroa Domain, Canterbury Land District. Area : 10 acres. Work done during year : Maintenance only. Improvements : Fencing, macrocarpa hedge on inner side, large gate at main entrance, three smaller gates, summer-house, two footbridges, and small fountain. Planted with native and foreign trees, and connected with borough watersupply. Alexandra Domain, Otago Land District. Area :13 acres. Used for sports, football, picnics, and band concerts. Work done during year : Tree-planting. Improvements now on domain : Fencing, plantation, and water-supply. Alexandra Domain, Auckland Land District. Area : 8 acres. Nil report furnished. Alfredton Domain, Wellington Land District. Area : 100 acres ; 99 acres leased. Improvements now on domain : Shed and fixtures, 12 chains of box drain, 8 acres fenced, and fence round whole area almost completed, one acre planted with trees. Proposed operations for ensuing year : Maintenance, additional planting and fencing, and eradication of Californian thistle. Apiti Domain, Wellington Land District. Area : 40 acres ; all leased. Improvements : Ring-fence. Land heavily timbered. Araroa Domain, Hawke's Bay Land District. Area :16 acres ; all leased. Not much used by the public. Work done during year : Fencing and grassing. Improvements now on domain : Fencing ; gate erected ; 2 acres laid down in grass. Proposed operations for ensuing year : Tree-planting and clearing scrub. Arowhenua Domain, Canterbury Land District. Area :10 acres ; all leased.' Work done during year : Eradication of gorse and clearing creek. Land used only for cropping and grazing. Arundel Domain, Canterbury Land District. Area : 4 acres ; securely fenced. East end and corners at west end planted with ornamental trees and shrubs ; protected by fence of standards, wire, and wire netting. Ashhurst Domain, Wellington Land District. Area :46 acres ; 2J acres leased as part of racecourse ; 25 acres of native bush. Work done during year : Protecting river-bank, ploughing and grassing about 3 acres, fencing and maintenance. Improvements now on land : 120 chains of boundary-fencing, | chain of picket fence, and 12 rustic seats. Proposed operations for ensuing year : Further protective works and tree-planting. Ashley Gorge Domain, Canterbury Land District. Area :68 acres ; 63 acres leased. Used principally for picnics.

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