C.—6.

1930. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY. SCENERY-PRESERVATION. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1930, TOGETHER WITH STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS ANT) 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, 190)8. Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, Ist July, 1930. Sir, — I have the honour to submit herewith a report on scenery-preservation for the year ended 31st March, 1930. I have, &c., J. B. THOMPSON, Under-Secretary for Lands. The Hon. E. A. Ransom, Minister in Charge of Scenery-preservation, Wellington.

EE PORT. Proclamations issued during the year setting land apart as scenic or historic reserves under the provisions of the Scenery Preservation Act covered a total area of 6,982 acres. In the North Auckland Land District four small areas at the Bay of Islands, totalling 3 acres 2 roods 11 perches, were taken under the Public Works Act for scenic and historic purposes, no claim for compensation being made by the owners, the New Zealand Mission Trust Board and Messrs. W. C. Mountain and W. J. King. The Marsden Cross is erected on this area, and the graves of one or two of the original band of missionaries are situated within the boundaries of the area. The Department willingly gave an assurance that the graves would be treated with all care and consideration, and with this end in view arrangements are being made to have a suitable fence erected around the reserve. An area of 18 acres 3 roods 15 perches of Crown land in the Tutamoe district, containing a fine piece of native bush, was reserved at the wish of the local settlers, one of whom consented to act as an honorary inspector of the area. Oil the Great Barrier Island an area of 935 acres of Crown land in young kauri and other trees was proclaimed during the year. It is hoped to arrange for the appointment of a Scenic Board of local residents to control this reserve. An area of 80 acres near the Whangarei Heads was purchased and set aside under the Act. In this case half the purchase-money was provided by the Crown, and the remainder by the local authorities at Whangarei. I—C. 6.