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1920. NE W ZEA LAN D.

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY: SCENERY-PERSERVATION. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1920 TOGETHER WITH STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS 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.

Sir, — Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, 16th June, 1920. I have the honour to submit herewith report on scenery-preservation for the twelve months ended the 31st March, 1920. I have, &c, T. N. Brodrick, Under-Secretary for Lands. The Hon. D. H. Guthrie, Minister in Charge of Scenery-preservation, Wellington.

EEPOET. Reservations. There were comparatively few reservations during the year, but they included some very charmingareas of scenery. In the North Auckland Land District 706 acres of land bordering the Whangaroa Harbour were taken under the Public Works Act for scenery purposes. They included Pekapeka (or Okohomoko Bay), which has been used for picnic purposes for some considerable time past. It is situated near the entrance to the harbour and commands a beautiful view. As, however, the owner of the land objected to such a large area being taken, the matter is now under consideration with a view to seeing if the area can be reduced in any way and still retain a suitable reserve for scenic purposes. In the Auckland Land District 80 acres of land on the shores of Kawhia Harbour, where the Awaroa flows in, were also taken under the Public Works Act, and will preserve a very picturesque feature of the landscape. On the north bank of the Mokau River a block of 856 acres was also secured, and will help to preserve the charming scenery on this part of the river. For years past the Mokau River has been considered one of the principal attractions of the west coast, and the reserve in question is one of several recommended by the Scenery Preservation Board. When the rest of tho areas recommended have been acquired it is hoped the, attractions of the place will bo preserved for all time, and be visited in tho future, as in the past, by a great number of people who desire to see what the pristine beauty of New Zealand was, and in some parts still is. In the Taranaki Land District 166 acres of very beautiful bush lying between Everett Road and Mangonui Stream, north-oast of Inglewood, were finally preserved under the Scenery Preservation Act. The land had been formerly set apart as a forest reserve, but the reservation had been cancelled, and there was danger of the timber being utilized, therefore the Government decided to permanently reserve it for scenic purposes. A local Scenic Board is now being constituted with a view to ensure adequate protection.

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