1

C.-10

ANNUAL KELOBTS OF DOMAIN BOAKDS. The Under-Secretary for Lands to the Hon. the Minister of Lands. Sir, — Department of Lands, Wellington, 7th August, 1908. I have the honour to transmit herewith a synopsis of the annual reports of Domain Boards for the year ended 31st December, 1907. The reports are furnished in compliance with the provisions of section 7 of " The Domain Boards Act, 1904." Quite a number of these important reserves have now reached a high state of perfection, and it is evident that the large majority are being steadily improved and made more suitable for public use and enjoyment. The whole of the members of the various Domain Boards throughout the Dominion do not, however, as yet quite recognise their responsibilities under the Act in the matter of furnishing reports. Out of 440 Domain Boards 28 have failed to furnish the details required by law. No doubt, as the centres in which the domains are situated become more densely populated, the Boards will be encouraged in their work of popularising the several resorts, and will gladly see the results of their care and sacrifice of time and money embodied in the reports to be laid before Parliament. Particulars of the domains on which no reports have been received will be found on pages 39 and 40. It may not be out of place to mention thai the Auditor-General has called attention to the fact that a number of the Domain Boards are credited with considerable overdraft* at their banks, and that apparently they are paying interest upon such overdrafts out of current revenue, a practice which the Auditor-General considers is not strictly legal. The photographs embodied in the report have been kindly furnished by the Domain Boards whose name is entered against them. The Department is glad at all times to receive photographs for reproduction in the annual report. I am, &c., William C. Kensington, The Hon. the Minister of Lands, Wellington. Under-Secretary for Lands.

AUCKLAND LAND DISTRICT. Arawa Park Domain. Section No. 23, Rotorua Rural Sections. Area, 46 acres 3 roods 17 perches. Improvements now on domain: Fences, grandstand, and racing-track. An area is being ploughed, levelled, and sown down in grass for football grounds. Used for races and sports. Proposed operations for ensuing year : Renovating grandstand. Auckland Domain. Situated in Rangitoto Survey District. Area, 236 acres 1 rood. Work done during year: General improvements and maintenance. Improvements now on domain: Extensive plantations, boundary-fences, iron fences, and stone wall surrounding the cricket-ground, pavilion, Park Superintendent's house, gardener's cottage, caretaker's lodge, and a propagating-house. Used for grazing, picnics, cricket, athletic purposes, and general recreation. Avondalh Domain. Section No. 361, Waikomiti Parish. Area, 38 acres 2 roods. No improvements effected during the year. Improvements now on domain: Boundary-fence (out of repair), plantation, and 6 acres in grass. Used for camping. Proposed operations for ensuing year: Erecting and repairing fences, and forming a track to the beach. The domain has been leased on improvement conditions. Awhittj Domain. Section No. 58c, Awhitu Parish. Area, 8 acres 3 roods 30 perches. Leased on improvement conditions. Improvements now on domain : Thirty-one chains fencing and grassing. Used for sports and picnics. Birkenhead Domain. Section No. 122, Takapuna Parish. Area, 112 acres 2 roods. Six acres leased for grazing. Improvements now on domain : Fences and plantations. I—C. 10.