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ANNUAL REPORTS OF DOMAIN BOARDS.

The Under-Secretary for Lands to the Hon. the Minister of Lands. Sir, — Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, 30th August, 1913. I have the honour to transmit herewith a synopsis of the annual reports of Domain Boards for the year ended 31st December, 1912, which have been furnished in accordance with section 45 of the Public Reserves and Domains Act, 1908. The public domains of New Zealand are an important asset to the Dominion. They provide for that love of outdoor exercises and that appreciation of the beauties of Nature which are inherent in the average New-Zealander. They are administered solely for the benefit of the people, and evidence is not wanting to show that each passing year sees them more and more appreciated by that public for whose recreation and enjoyment they were set apart. The total number of public domains in each land district, together with the total areas, is shown in the following table : —

In 1911 there were 522 domains, comprising 81,551 acres, showing an increase in the year under review of nine domains and 1,781 acres. Eleven new domains were constituted during the year. The reservation over Moa Flat and Ettrick Domain (420 acres), Otago Land District, was removed by section 62 of the Reserves and other Lands Disposal and Public Bodies Empowering Act, 1912, and the area declared Crown land, as it had never been used for recreation or as a public domain, and was unsuitable for the purpose. Mangapiko and Pirongia Domains, Auckland, were amalgamated for administrative purposes. The Boards controlling the undermentioned domains have failed to furnish the yearly report, and inquiries are now being made as to the cause of default : — Auckland Land District. Auckland. —Situated in Rangitoto Survey District. Area, 236 acres 1 rood. Aratapu. —Section No. 42, Kopuru Parish. Area, 44 acres 1 rood 35 perches. Hukerenui. —Sections Nos. 51 and 53, Block VI, Hukereimi Survey District. Area, 24 acres. Taupiri Mountain. —Section No. 481, Taupiri Parish. Area, 162 acres 2 roods. Te Kuiti.—Sections Nos. 29, 30, and 31, Block 111, Otanake Survey District. Area, 6 acres 1 rood 38 perches. s Waitakerei.—Sections Nos. 16, 18, 19, E. 64, 65, S. 68, S.E. 75, S. 78, S. 79, 110, 111, and S. 112, Karangahape Parish; N. 54, Block V, Waitakerei Survey District; and 163 and 193, Waipareira Parish. Area, 4,732 acres. Taranaki Land District. Normanby. —Subdivision No. 3 of Sections Nos. 17 and 589, Patea Survey District. Area, 8 acres 2 roods. Wellington Land District. Eastbourne. —Sections Nos. 42, 44, and 46, Block I, and 43 and 48, Block IV, Pencarrow Survey District. Area, 551 acres. Kaitawa. —Suburban Section No. 13, Town of Kaitawa. Area, 15 acres and 36 perches. Makuri. —Section No. 162, and Suburban Sections Nos. 159, 167, 169, and 170, Town of Makuri. Area, 42 acres 1 rood 31 perches. Waitotara. —Sections Nos. 154, 155, and 156, Town of Waitotara. Area, 3 roods. Nelson Land District. Braeburn. —Section No. 1, Block IV, Tutaki Survey District. Area, 5 acres.

Land District. Number of Domains. Area in Acres. Auckland Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Marlborough ... Nelson Westland Canterbury Otago Southland 148 33 50 74 9 21 12 100 56 28 19,904 920 1,586 38,675* 763 3,330 381 8,725 6,418 2,630 Grand totals 83,332 531 • Includes 33,000 acres set aside as a domain under section 9 of thi Wanganui River Tri Lst Act, 1891.