C.—6

" A kakapo was seen by the trapper when hunting for opossums, which his description leads me to believe was a fairly young bird. Tf my supposition is correct, these birds must be breeding, as it is now about seventeen years since they were introduced. In any case, it proves that the kapapo can get a living on Kapiti. The last bird seen was nearly two miles from where the other one was found. The petrels are now breeding all along the summit of the island. Burrows can be seen both north and south of the trig, station. The sea-birds have also had a good season, especially the gulls and terns. The white-fronted tern has increased in numbers, and there are many colonies of these beautiful birds to be seen around the island and on the adjoining islets. A new colony was formed on the rocks by the waterfalls, where hundreds of terns bred. " The herons occupied their old nesting-sites and reared their young successfully. During the year a shag that I had not previously noted at Kapiti was seen. The bird was the spotted shag (Phalacrocorax punctatus). Two species of birds not hitherto noted bred on Olsupe, the lake on Mr. Webber's property. I identified them as the spoonbill duck (Spatula rhynchotis) and the little grey teal (Querquedula gibberifrons). " A considerable amount of planting was done during the season. Seeds and plants of species belonging to the island as well as plants from different parts of the Dominion were put out in differentparts of the sanctuary. Generally speaking, most of the plants put out have done well. In some cases a remarkable growth is noticeable. For example a pukahu (Meryla Sinclairii) that I brought from the Hen Island and planted on the 31st October, 1925, which was then 12 in. high, is now 9 ft. in height, while a whau (Entelea arborescens) which was put in as a cutting in May, 1928, is now 8 ft. high. Many valuable and interesting plants belonging to different parts of the Dominion were received from enthusiastic nature-lovers, and it gives me pleasure to place on record my appreciation for the donations received. In all cases the plants reached me in good condition, proving that the donors went to considerable trouble and not little expense in despatching them. I have also to express my appreciation to the Wellington Acclimatization Society for practical help. From the society was received three sacks of wheat for ducks, six rolls of netting to fence in the swamp at Rangatira, and the sum of £10 to make a lagoon at Wharekohu. Following are the names of the people who sent plants, together with a list of species : — Captain E. V. Sanderson, Paekakariki —one hundred plants of Entelea arborescens, one plant of Todea superba. Mr. A. Wilkinson, Nelson —plants of hebe, euphrasia, ranunculus, and asplenium. I was unable to identify with certainty the species of this consignment, so planted them where they can be seen and identified later. Mr. R. H. D. Stidolph, Masterton —parcel of Celmesia spectabilis. Mr. A. Morris-Jones,Wellington—plants of Dacrydium cupressinum, Senecio Kirkii, Alseuosmia quercifolia, Podocarpus.dacrydioides, and Todea superba : seeds of Coprosma Baueri, Cyathodes acerosa, and Sophora tetraptera. Mr. J. Webber, Kapiti —fifteen plants of Hoheria populnea. Mr. W. H. Field, M.P., Wellington —seeds of Coprosma Baueri. Miss Watson, New Plymouth —plants of Pittosporum crassifolium. Mr. Silson, Palmerston North —plants of Dacrydium cupressinum, Nothofagus fusca, and Nothofagus Menziesii. Mr. K. N. Dalrymplc, Bulls—plants of Pratia macrodon, Hymenanthera novae-zelandiae, Pittosporum crassifolium, Coprosma sp. (2), Sicyos angulata, Veronica Lyalli, Celmesia seedlings, largeleaved forms of kawakawa, ngaio, and makomako. Mr. Dalrymple also collected in the Chatham Islands, and forwarded plants of Senicio Huntii, Cyathodes robusta, Olearia semidentata, Veronica Chathamica, and some seedling Dracophyllum. " During the year I came across a fern, which, so far as I know, has not hitherto been recorded from Kapiti. The fern is known as Doodia media."

APPENDIX E. HAWKE'S BAY SCENIC RESERVES. (J. D. Thomson, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) It is with much pleasure I have to report that the. scenic reserves in this district are receiving now more attention than they have done in the past. The advent of the motor-car has enabled residents of the district to gain a personal knowledge of the various reserves, and the consequence has been a general realization of the importance of safeguarding the few remaining patches of native bush. Local bodies are also showing a willingness to shoulder more responsibility with regard to scenic reserves. Arrangements are now almost completed for constituting a Scenic Board to control all scenic reserves in this district, most of the local bodies being represented on the Board. The following particulars, with regard to the various reserves may be of interest: — Waihi Falls.—The original area of this reserve was 103 acres 1 rood 2 perches, but in 1928 the area was reduced to 35 acres. Fire and damage from stock had rendered 68 acres useless for scenic purposes, and it was considered advisable to cut this area off and concentrate on preserving the area of bush round the falls. When the road access is improved this reserve will receive the attention it deserves, but at the present time it is little known owing to its present inaccessibility. Tangoio Falls. —This reserve, owing to its proximity to Napier and the fact that the Napier-Gisborne Main Highway passes it, has become a popular picnic-spot. The bush is principally secondary growth, but this class is well represented. The small falls and swimming-pool make the place an attractive spot in summer-time.

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