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the world. Visitors from abroad as well as our own people unite in praising the beautiful characteristics and features of our national scenery, and as years go on the value of the reservations that have been made will be more and more appreciated. A great deal of work has been done, but much still remains to be accomplished, and as opportunity permits suitable private land will bo secured and areas of Crown land will be surveyed and added to the existing reservations. Supervision of Reserves. During the year local Scenic Boards were appointed or reappointed as follows : Birkenhead Borough Council, to control the Birkenhead Scenic Reserve ; Katikati Hot Springs Scenic Board, to control the Katikati Hot Springs Scenic Reserve ; Dannevirke Borough Council, to control parts Makirikiri Scenic Reserve ; Taihape Scenic Reserves Board, to control the Taihape Scenic Reserves : Rangitikei County Council, to control the Rangiwaea Scenic Reserve ; Haetihi Borough Council, to control the Raetihi Scenic Reserves ; Rangitikei County Council, to control the Silverhope Scenic Reserve ; Dunedin City Council, to control the Evansdale Glen Scenic Reserve ; Haehae-te-Moana Scenic Board, to control the Haebae-te-Moana Scenic Reserves. The following gentlemen were appointed honorary Inspectors under the Act for various reserves throughout the Dominion: Messrs H. J. Shepherd, J. N. Cussen, Andrew Screiber, P. C. Rose, A.. W. Kenderdine, A. R. Gudopp, Samuel Topliss, Alfred Flower, James Fletcher, O. G. Parr, and James Hunter, M.D. Marlborougb Scenic Reserves. The beautiful reserves in south Marlborough, through which the main tourist coach route passes south of the Clarence River on its way to Kaikoura and Christchurch, have come through the season remarkably well, and have suffered no damage whatever through flood, drought, or fire. In north Marlborough, and more particularly in the Sounds, damage was done by fire to two of our beautiful reserves. The Bay of Many Coves, and Te Weka Reserve, in the Kenepuru, both suffered. In the former case the cause is wrapped in mystery, whilst in the latter a fire ran in from an adjoiningproperty. Considering the number of exposed points in the Sounds that have been reserved for scenery-preservation purposes, it is remarkable how fortunate wo have been in having so little damage done by fires. The beautiful reserve at Pelorus Bridge, on the main Blenheim-Nelson coach route, is becoming more popular every year for picnic parties from both Blenheim and Nelson. The suggested reward to persons who give information securing the conviction of persons found damaging reserves should go a long way towards mitigating the evil, and plenty of printed notices, together with periodical advertisements in the local newspapers, will also assist in the protection of scenic reserves. Comparison of Expenditure. It is interesting to note how money raised under the Act has been expended. It will be. seen that the cost of administration has been reduced to a very small proportion of the total expenditure.

* Included in Board's expenses. f Includes £1,750 paid to Summit Road Scenic Reserve Board. It must be noted that the above expenditure does not include expenses of raising loans and recoupment of interest, &c. 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. C. Kapiti Island. D. North Auckland Scenic Reserves.

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Year. Compensation for Land. Fencing and Maintenance. Surveys, Valuations, &c. Board's Expenses. Salaries. Total. I 1904-5 .. 1905-6 .. 1906-7 .. 1907-8 .. L908-9 .. 1909-10 .. 1910 II .. 1911-12 .. 1912-13 .. 1913-14 .. 1914-15 .. 1915-16 .. 1916-17 .. 1917-18 .. 1918-19 .. 1919-20 .. 1920-21 .. 1921-22 .. 1922-23 .. 1923-24 .. £ 21.6 3,336 7,856 4,286 3,813 1,688 1,066 2,619 12,997 1.0,467 6,253 1,530 252 428 1,295 510 3,031 57,768 6,306 1.488 £ Nil 304 382 I ,063 1,159 685 715 798 627 758 698 836 602 l,964t 188 471 227 377 118 £ 52 527 801 555 540 2,603 1,643 2,237 2,697 1,547 476 104 76 114 49 12 299 224 290 1,589 £ 1,822 1,221 185 86 24 Nil II 22 6 3 12 6 1 3 1 £ I * * 175 325 325 325 345 345 365 ' 388 390 390 390 280 40 25 25 25 25 £ 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 2,825 58.244 6,998 3.210 Grand total 162,187