C.—6.

3

Reserves made under the Scenery Preservation Act have been proclaimed as under r< — , T , Area. Number. R p 1904-5 ... ... ... ... ... 6 914 2 3 1905-6 ... ... ... ... ... 55 13,640 3 20 1906-7 ... ... ... ... ... 27 11,233 0 35 88 25,801 238 but as scenic reservations have also been made under the Land Act, &c, the total area comprises: — a. ». p. Under Scenery Preservation Acts ... ... ... 25,801 2 38 Under Land and other Acts ... ... ... ... 76,721 0 34 As national parks ... ... ... ... ... 2,771,202 000 2,873,724 3 32 As is therefore seen, much has been done, although much still remains to be accomplished. The vast and magnificent national parks of Mount Egmont, Mount Cook, Tongariro, and Kuapehu, and the West Coast Sounds, embrace country that can never be suitable for close settlement, but is of world-wide fame as the home of scenery, and in the 102,000 acres of other reserves (some 353 in number) are to be found beautiful and scattered bits of scenery that enable dwellers in every part of the colony to realise what the land of the Maoris looked like before its colonisation by Europeans. For example, the famous stalactite caves of Waitomo and Ruakuri; the great Wairua Waterfall near Whangarei; the Tongoio, Okere, Huka, Sutherland, and lesser falls; the numerous clumps of beautiful forest on the Parahaki, Taupiri, Pukorokoro-Hapuakohe, and other hills; the historic pas of the aboriginal inhabitants; the hot springs of Hahei, Nuhaka, Rotorua, and Te Aroha; the wooded gorges and bush-clad slopes of innumerable ranges and mountains; the banks of the Waikato, Ruakituri, Motu, Rangitikei, Wanganui, Waiau, and other rivers; the shores of Lake Taupo, Mahinapua, Waikaremoana, Wakatipu, Wanaka, Rotorua, &o.; the pretty islands of Little Barrier and Resolution; patches of forest in close proximity to the cities and towns; picturesque points and promontories on many harbours all over the colony, serve to prove in some measure that the scenic attractions of New Zealand have not been allowed to be destroyed (except in some slight degree, almost inevitable in the onward rush of trade and population), but will be preserved intact for all time "as the patrimony of the people. The report of the Scenery Preservation Board (Appendix No. 1) specifies the principal localities of the colony now requiring attention, and in Appendix No. 2 will be found the Board's report on the North Island Main Trunk Railway route, along which a special inspection was made, owing to the urgency of selecting and setting aside the areas of land most essential for scenery preservation before the line is opened for traffic and population springs up in its wake. It may be mentioned that the Board was only constituted by " The Scenery Preservation Amendment Act, 1906," which came into force at the end of October, and consequently was unable to do more than deal with the most important cases needing attention. In conclusion, the earnest co-operation of all lovers of scenery, whether as private individuals or as members of district societies having for their objects the preservation and beautifying of nature in the vicinity of towns, or as representatives of the people in local or national boards and councils, is cordially invited and will be gladly availed of in connection with the work still to be undertaken, and as tending to assist, whether in small or larger degree, the one aim Government and people have alike —namely, the preservation of the picturesque scenery of New Zealand for the benefit and delight of its inhabitants, and of the ever-increasing army of tourists and visitors. The following details are appended: — Schedule A: Reserves made under the Scenery Preservation Acts during 1906-7. Schedule B: Reserves made for Scenic Purposes under all Acts up to 31st March, 1907. Schedule C: Recommendations of the Late Scenery Preservation Commissioners, and Action taken. : Schedule D: Recommendations of the Present Scenery Preservation Board, and Action taken. Statement of Accounts for the Year ended 31st March, 1907. Appendix No. 1 : Report of the Scenery Preservation Board for the Year ended 31st March, 1907. Appendix No. 2: Report of the Scenery Preservation Board on the Scenery along North Island Main Trunk Railway Route. Plans. Plans Nos. 1 to 6, showing areas of forest along the route of the North Island Main Trunk Railway, and the proposed reservations therein. General map of the North Island, showing localities of scenic reserves already gazetted. General map of the South Island, with similar information.