C.—6.

generosity. Further maintenance will be required for the trees recent]}' replanted, but the weeds have been practically smothered over the greater part of the plantation, and beyond getting the road boundary cleared there should be little further expense in connection with this reserve. Trees which were planted five years ago have now reached a height of 25 ft. Meeting of the Waters Reserve. —Further repairs to the suspension bridge on this reserve were carried out during the year at a cost of approximately £20. A subsidy of £15 was obtained, bringing the Government grant up to £40, this sum representing the total subscribed by the local bodies towards the cost of the bridge. The fence on the southern boundary of the reserve requires renewing, and arrangements have been made with Mr. Marsh, the adjoining owner, to have the work carried out. A certain amount of revenue is derived from this reserve from the royalty on shingle, which is deposited after every flood in the river, and also for large boulders, which are taken from the bed of the river some distance below the bridge. The erosion of the bank on the south-western end of the reserve is assuming serious proportions, and steps may have to be taken in the near future to prevent the river from cutting through to the Araheke Stream and possibly washing away a considerable portion of the reserve. The expenditure in connection with the upkeep of this reserve, apart from the suspension bridge, amounted to £13 3s. Id. during the year. Pukemiro Reserve.—The work of fencing the boundary between this reserve and the adjoining property has been carried out during the year, and the fencing of the road boundary has been deferred until the question of deviating the Main North Road has been decided. Onaero Reserve.—The trees planted along the boundary of this reserve are making good growth, and the gorse and other weeds will soon be under control. The Okoke Pa has been inspected recently by one of the members and found to be in good condition. Awa-te-TaJce Pa. —The fencing of this reserve has been carried out during the year at the cost of £20 16s. 3d. A number of goats have been trespassing and the undergrowth has been entirely eaten out, and the fencing was undertaken with a view to preventing trespass by cattle and goats. Regeneration is now rapidly taking place. Authority has been given to the Board's local ranger to deal with any animals found trespassing on this reserve in future. Ratapihipihi Reserve. —Additional fencing on this reserve has been carried out during the year at a cost of £2 lis. 4d. The open area adjoining the bush is let to Mr. A. R. Gudopp, who is utilizing it to the best advantage. There is nothing further to report in regard to Puketi Pa, which is let under a five-years lease to the New Plymouth High Schools Board. Koru Pa. —This reserve continues to attract a fair number of visitors. A small amount of damage has occurred to the stone glacis work of the old fortifications either by natural causes or by human interference. Local associations interested in this reserve are co-operating with the Board to prevent further damage being done. Some of the tracks within the reserve will also receive attention at an early date. The following have been apjiointed honorary inspectors under the Scenery Preservation Act, and the thanks of the Board are due to them for their supervision over the reserves during the year : Mr. A. R. Gudopp, who has control of the Ratapihipihi Reserve ; Mr. S. Topliss, who has control of the Pukemiro and Onaero Reserves ; Mr. P. 11. E. Surrey, of Pukerangiora Pa ; Mr. Henry Cole, of Awa-te-Take Pa ; Mr. Henry King, of the Meeting of the Waters Reserve ; and Mr. R. W. J. Davies, of the reserves in the Taranaki District generally.

APPENDIX G. MARLBOROUGH SCENIC RESERVES. (P. R. Wilkinson, Commissioner of Crown Lands.) Early in February last, accompanied by Mr. S. Gambrill, of the Head Office staff, I made a tour of inspection over the whole of the Sounds County scenic reserves, and found that, generally speaking, they were all in good order. Some minor acts of vandalism were noticed, such as the cutting of tent-poles without permission by camping parties at Ship Cove and Kumutoto Reserves, and the unauthorized cutting of manuka firewood at Ngaruru Reserve, in Tory Channel. Depredation caused by deer was evident in the undergrowth at Tennyson Inlet, and this menace will be hard to control on this extensive reserve unless some organized efforts are made. It is pleasing to note that, with the exception of some scrub burnt on the Picton Hills Reserve, no damage by fire has occurred during the year, although during the summer it was reported to me that dead trees were on fire in both the Kumutoto and Ship Cove Reserves. Immediate steps were taken to combat the danger and keep the reserves intact.

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