11

C—6

APPENDIX F. Canterbury Scenic Reserves. The greater proportion of scenic reserves in this district are under the control of Scenic Boards or trusts. Inspections of most of the other reserves have been made during the year, and lam pleased to be able to state that in practically every case they are. in good order and condition, and that there has been no destruction of native bush. Owing to representations made as to the destruction of bush and alpine vegetation at Arthur's Pass, an area of 370 acres, formerly reserved for provincial purposes, was declared scenic reserve, and notices posted in the vicinity. This was the only new scenic reserve declared during the year. A large number of the reserves are on the Banks Peninsula, some being in very out-of-the-way places and containing very little bush of scenic value. Some years ago an endeavour was made to exchange some of the poorer and less accessible reserves at Peraki for an area containing some very fine native bush adjoining Scenic Reserve 3361, but unfortunately the proposal fell through. The owner of the land has again been approached on the matter, and I trust that some arrangement may be reached, by which the Crown will be able to acquire this area for scenic purposes. During the year Mr. Oliver Glencross Parr was appointed Inspector under the Scenery Preservation Act, 1908, of the Raincliff Bush Scenic Reserve, No. 3724.

SCENIC RESERVES ACCOUNT. Receipts and Payments Account for the Year ended 31st March, 1928. Receipts. £ s. d. Payments. £ s. d. To Rents from reserves .. .. 640 5 2 By Refunds of rents .. .. .. 20 4 2 Royalties from timber, &c. .. .. 948 1 6 Refunds of royalties .. .. 419 6 Amount recovered in reduction of vote Scenery-preservation vote expenditure as per contra .. 22 5 ' 2 expensos— Repayment of capital—Amount paid out Capital expenditure on £ s. d. of Scenery Preservation Account in reserves .. .. 5,614 11 0 1924-25 (now recouped from Land for Compensation for Native Settlements Account) .. .. 5,094 8 4 land taken .. .. 38 6 10 Expenditure on Trounson Kauri Forest .. 744 13 3 Surveys and valuations, &c. .. .. 53 1 6 Expenses of Board .. 16 15 5 Miscellaneous.. .. 132 2 10 6,599 io 10 Amount wrongly credited to Scenery Preservation receipts in previous year 50 0 0 Balance transferred to Treasury Adjustment Account .. .. .. 30 5 8 £6,705 0 2 £6,705 0 2 Revenue Account for the Year ended 31st March, 1928. Dr. £ s. d. Or. £ a. d. To Loan repayments (principal and interest) By Accrued rents .. .. .. 901 911 under section 47, Land for Settlements Accrued royalties .. .. .. 947 2 3 Act, 1925 .. .. .. 51 12 5 Miscellaneous receipts—Credits in reduo- " Thirds " and " halves " .. .. 69 3 2 tion of expenditure .. .. 118 3 Rebates of rents .. .. .. 6 2 6 Balance, loss for year carried down .. 8,288 16 6 Writings-off in Suspense—Rents irrecoverable .. .. .. 64 15 4 Expenses of Scenic Reserves Board .. 16 15 5 Expenses in connection with Trounson Kauri Forest .. .. .. 744 13 3 Surveys, valuations, &c. .. .. 53 1 6 Miscellaneous .. .. .. 132 2 10 Remissions of rent by Revaluation Board 141 12 0 Remissions of rent under section 6 (1), Deteriorated Lands Act, 1925 .. 469 3 6 Interest on capital invested in scenic reserves .. .. .. .. 8,390 5 0 £10,139 6 11 £10,139 6 11 £ s. d. To Balance forward from previous year .. 20,630 4 5 By Balance, accumulated excess of chargos £ s. d. Balance brought forward .. .. 8,288 16 6 over revenue .. .. .. 29,076 6 8 Adjustment on account of previous year 157 5 9 £29,076 6 8 £29,076 6 8