a—6

3

During the year the, control of the Tukituki River Scenic Reserve was vested in the Waipukurau Borough Council for a further term of three years, and Mr. John Parkinson was appointed an honorary Inspector over the Kaituna Valley Scenic Reserves. As reported last year, the control of the Turuturumokai Pa was vested in the Hawera Borough Council. The conditions of control were, subsequently amended, authority being given to the Minister charged for the time being with the administration of the Scenery Preservation Act, 1908, to take such steps as he thinks fit for the, planting of suitable, trees in the reserve, or to require the Hawera Borough Council to plant such trees therein as the Minister shall specify. As a result of this action over 1,200 native, trees of different varieties have been planted by the Council. Care, is being taken not to damage the old earthworks made by the Natives when the pa was used for defence purposes in the Maori War. It is hoped that in the future this historic reserve will be unique as a plantation of native trees, and will, thus bo of special interest to all lovers of our beautiful New Zealand bush. Expenditure. The expenditure during the year was £750, out of which the cost of acquisition of lands amounted to £510. By a reference to the, appended table it will be seen that, out of the £100,000 authorized under the Scenery Preservation Act, £94,000 has now been raised. As was the case during the preceding twelve, months, every care was taken to curtail expenditure.

Comparison of Expenditure.

Appendices. Attached to this report are the following appendices : — A. Schedule of reserves made, during the year, accompanied by a statement of accounts. B. Report of the Scenery Preservation Board. C. Kapiti Island.

Year. Compensation for Land. Fencing and Surveys Board's g T Maintenance. Valuations, &c. Expenses. Board's Expenses. Salaries. Total. £ 216 3,336 7,856 4,286 3,813 1,688 1,066 2,619 12,997 10,467 6,253 1,530 252 428 1,295 510 £ £ £ £ Nil 52 1,822 * 2, 527 1,221 * 5, 304 801 185 * 9, 382 555 86 175 5, 1,063 540 24 325 5, 1,159 2,603 Nil 325 5, 685 1,643 11 325 3, 715 2,237 22 345 5, 798 2,697 6 345 16, 627 1,547 3 365 13, 758 476 12 388 7, 698 104 6 390 2, 836 76 1 390 1, 602 114 3 390 1, l,964f 49 1 280 3, 188 12 .. 40 £ 1,822 1,221 185 86 24 Nil 11 22 6 3 12 £ * £ 2,090 5,084 9,146 5,484 5,765 5,775 3,730 5,938 16,843 13,009 7,887 2,728 1,555 1,537 3,589 750 1904-5 .. 1905-6 .. 1906-7 .. 1907-8 .. 1908-9 .. 1909-10 .. 1910-11 .. 1911-12 .. 1912-13 .. 1913-14 . . 1914-15 .. 1915-16 .. 1916-17 .. 1917-18 .. 1918-19 .. 1919 20 .. * * 175 325 325 325 345 345 365 388 390 390 390 280 40 6 1 3 1 Grand ti ital 90, 90,910 * Included in card's expenses f Includes £1,750 paid to Summit Road Scenic Reserves Board.