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White Pine. —This reserve is situated also on the Napier-Gisborne Highway, about two miles farther from Napier. To a lover of New Zealand's flora and fauna this is a far more interesting spot than Tangoio Falls, as trees of the final forest growth-stage, such as rimu, matai, kahikatea, &c., are represented ; also, many species of native birds are to be seen in the bush. Makirikiri.- —This reserve is situated close to Dannevirke, and the control is vested in the Dannevirke Borough Council. The Council is carrying out a programme of planting with indigenous trees areas over which the original native bush had been destroyed. Tukituki River.—This is a reserve of white-pine bush on the bank of the Tukituki River, and is controlled by the Waipukurau Borough Council. Though at the present time the public do not show much interest in this reserve, it is considered by the Mayor of the borough that later on the residents will appreciate its value. Elsthorpe.-—This reserve is a swampy flat, the principal timber growing on it being white-pine, with tawa in small quantities on the drier ground. Owing to the wet nature of the ground, secondgrowth trees are poorly represented. Cape Kidnapper Bird Sanctuary.-—The last season .saw the accommodation taxed to its utmost, and it was noted that the gannets had extended their nesting-area. The number of visitors to this interesting spot increases yearly owing to the publicity given by newspapers. The Board is gratified at the manner in which the public observed the conditions governing the visiting permits. It is proposed during the coming winter to improve the walking-track leading up the hill to the gannet-rookery.

APPENDIX F. TARANAKI SCENIC RESERVES, TOGETHER WITH REPORT OF NEW PLYMOUTH SCENIC RESERVES BOARD. (W. I). Armit, Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chairman of Scenic Board.) During the year close supervision has been maintained over all the scenic reserves in this land district. Reports are filed showing in each case the quality and nature of scenic attraction, the accessibility of the reserve, its general state of preservation, and if any measures are required to prevent damage, action is immediately taken. In a number of cases the Department has assisted settlers in fencing the boundaries of their holdings adjoining reserves, thus preventing damage by straying stock. On some of the larger areas, such as the Wanganui River, the Tangarakau River, and Mokau River scenic reservations, wild cattle and pigs are present to a certain degree. Very little damage is apparent at the present time, and the position is kept under review. A few wild goats and opossums exist in the district, outside of the Egmont National Park area, and it is quite possible that preventive measures will be required in the future to deal particularly with wild goats, which are most destructive to the native flora. It has not been necessary to institute any prosecutions for vandalism or trespass daring the year, although several warnings have been issued to offenders who have unwittingly broken the scenic laws. Police inquiries in one ease, dealing with lighting of fires and damage, may lead to a prosecution in the near future. Excellent work is being done by the various Scenic Boards set up to administer certain reserves within the district. The Everett Road Scenic Reserves Board has been strengthened during the year by the inclusion of additional members, and this reserve is becoming most popular with the public, and is a frequent resort of large parties desiring to picnic. A good swimming-pool forms part of the attraction, and bathing-sheds have been erected near the river-bank. During the year a special Scenic Board has been set up to administer Tapuinikau Pa, which has recently been acquired from the Natives. This pa has many historic associations, and in deference to Native opinion the Board is comprised of part Maori membership. The use of motor-cars has brought a number of reserves within the public eye of recent years, and unremitting care and attention is necessary to prevent vandalism of any description. New Plymouth Scenic Reserves Board. The Board at present consists of Messrs. W. H. Skinner, W. W. Smith, F. Carrington, V. Davies, and W. D. Armit (Chairman). Three meetings were held during the year, and a number of inspections of the various reserves were also made by the Board and individual members. Several of the reserves have also been under close supervision by the Field Inspectors of the Department. The following work in connection with the reserves has been carried out during the year : — Pukerangiora Pa.—A distance of approximately 36 chains of this reserve was cleared of gorse, fern, and blackberry, at a cost of £40. This included some clearing around the trees which were recently raplanted on an area which was swept by fire. Messrs. Duncan and Davies supplied one hundred three-year-old trees for replacements free of charge, and the thanks of the Board are due to them for their

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