C—6.

1934. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY. SCENERY-PRESERVATION. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1934, TOGETHER WITH STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURE AND 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, 1908.

SlB, — Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, Ist September, 1934. I have the honour to submit herewith a report on scenery-preservation for the year ended 31st March, 1934. I have, &c, W. Robertson, Under-Secretary for Lands. The Hon. E. A. Ransom, Minister in Charge of Scenery-preservation, Wellington.

EEPOET.

Peoclamations issued during the year setting apart land as scenic or historic reserves under the provisions of the Scenery Preservation Act covered an area of some 12,368 acres. In the North Auckland Land District three small reservations were made, two for the purpose of protecting some nice patches of Native bush, and the other for the preservation of certain limestone caves near Waipu, which possess a considerable reputation amongst sightseers. Reservations in the Auckland Land District included a small area of bush on the right bank of the Eangitaiki Eiver on the Galatea - Te Teko Road, an area of 104 acres of hilly bush country in the Huntly district, and a small piece of mixed bush in the Otorohanga district. In the Taranaki Land District the Urenui Pa reserve of some 7 acres was declared during the year to have become Crown land pursuant to a Proclamation published under the authority of section 22 of the Native Purposes Act, 1931. This area was a gift from the Natives to the Crown under certain conditions, and on the issue of the Proclamation the land automatically became a scenic and historic reserve under the Scenery Preservation Act. Suitable arrangements have been made for the appointment of a special Board of Control. Several valuable reserves were set apart in the Wellington Land District, including nearly 300 acres of heavy Native bush situated just north of the National Park Railway-station and extending for a considerable distance along the railway, and also a particularly fine bushclad area near Karewarewa. Some additions were made to the existing reservations in the beautiful Pohangina Valley, and a small reserve was set aside on the banks of the Rangitikei River in the vicinity of the Kawatau Valley Road. At Bulwer, in Pelorus Sound, an area of 224 acres was secured for scenic purposes through the generosity of the Brace Trustees. The Marlborough Progress League and the New Zealand Forestry League were very active in this matter, and it was mainly through the efforts of the latter body that the Bruce Trustees became interested in the proposal. This is not the first occasion by any means in which the Bruce Trustees have provided funds for the acquisition of scenic areas, and the Department is exceedingly grateful for their assistance. A second reservation in the Nelson District was that of some 277 acres near Riwaka, comprising some very attractive bush at the head of the north branch of the Riwaka River, which issues from a limestone cave in the locality. This area was formerly provisional State forest; but the State Forest Service agreed to the reservation being changed on account of the scenic beauty of the land and its popularity as a favourite picnic resort. New reserves, totalling some 896 acres, were set aside in various parts of the Marlborough District during the year, chiefly in the Pelorus Sound and Valley. The most important of these was an addition of 450 acres to the Pelorus Bridge Reserve, bringing that fine scenic area up to approximately 1,000 acres.