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1926. NEW ZEALAND

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY. SCENERY-PRESERVATION. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1926, 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.

Sib., — Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, 28th June, 1926. 1 have the honour to submit herewith report on scenery-preservation for the year ended 31st March, 1926. I have, &c., J. B. Thompson, Under-Secretary for Lands. The Hon. A. D. McLeod, Minister in Charge of Scenery-preservation, Wellington.

REPORT. The total area of reservations made during the year was some 3,067 acres. In the North Auckland Land District an area of 16J acres of native bush at Swanson was acquired and reserved. The situation is close to the main road and railway-line, and the residents of the district, although not contributing towards the purchase price, have taken a lively interest in the matter, and have formed a local board of control under' the chairmanship of the Commissioner of Crown Lands. An area of some 186 acres surrounding the Wairoa (or Hunua) Falls was also taken. This land formed portion of a property held by a discharged soldier ; but the Department was fortunate enough to be able to make arrangements for its acquisition satisfactory both to the owner and the State. The falls have for many years been highly esteemed for their great beauty, while the surrounding area comprises almost the last native bush in this particular locality. The purchase was completed of an area of 652 acres 2 roods on the Waitakerei Ranges, containing many magnificent clumps of kauri almost equal to those in the Trounson Park. The remainder of the bush is comprised of rata, tawa, kohekohe, &c., with scattered rimu, kahikatea, and totara ; and these, combined with a wealth of nikau-palms, mamaku, pungas, and other tree-ferns, will make the reserve a delight to any bush-lover, while native-bird life is fairly abundant. A contribution of half the purchase price was made by the Auckland City Council, which owns a considerable area in the vicinity, under the authority of section 12 of the Reserves and other Lands Disposal and Public Bodies Empowering Act, 1925, and it is intended to vest control of the reserve in the Council. Particulajs of reservation, &c., will appear in next year's report, the proclamation declaring the land a reserve under the Scenery Preservation Act not having been completed by the 31st March last. Another purchase in the closing stages of the year was that of an area of 19 acres 2 roods 39-7 perches containing some of the unique! limestone rocks at Waro. Particulars of this will also appear in next year's report.