C.—6,

unsatisfactory results; but an attempt will now be made to effect regeneration by sowing seed direct. Other open spaces in the forest are quickly regenerating with native growth, including a natural growth of young kauri-trees. The fire risk was greatly minimized by the abnormally wet summer. During the season some three thousand people visited the Cape Kidnapper Bird Sanctuary,and subscriptions and donations by the public to the Board's funds amounted to some £28. Steps have been cut in the steeper parts of the tracks in the reserve, and the tracks have also been widened in places. The Tennyson Inlet Reserves in the Marlborough Sounds are in good condition. Efforts made to keep wild animals in check have been fairly successful, and the undergrowth is increasing. The bridle tracks through the reserves have now been cleared, and easy access is now available to the major portion of the areas. The other reserves in the Sounds are in good condition, and have been kept free from damage during the year. Areas destroyed by fires in former years are all showing signs of regeneration, and it is hoped that the native bush will establish itself" again in a few years. The Sounds Reserves are visited by thousands of people each year. The Westland Land District is particularly fortunate in the wide variety and extensive nature of its scenic reserves, which are becoming increasingly popular not only with the local residents but also with the travelling public, The question of the extension of the existing reserves at Weheka, near the Fox Glacier, has received consideration during the year, and proposals are now in hand for the reservation of all the bush-clad hills visible from the Main South Road, and also of a sufficiently large additional area to embrace Lakes Matheson, G-oult, Little, Mueller, and Gibb. The Department's Ranger on Stewart Island spent as much time as possible in various parts of the reserves in his charge. He paid special attention to Paterson Inlet areas, but also visited the Murray River, Mason Bay, East and West Ruggedy, Port Adventure, Port Pegasus, and other places. He reports that, in his opinion, most species of the native birds on the island are holding their own. Wekas, which for some unknown reason became scarce south of Paterson Inlet, are gradually increasing in that part of the island. Deer continue to do considerable damage to the bush. Rats and wild cats are unfortunately plentiful on the island. Future Operations. Much work still remains to be done in the matter of scenery preservation. There are many areas in private ownership which should be owned by the State, but the financial position has been such that the Department has had for a good many years to be content with very small allocations, and as a result it has been almost impossible to operate the machinery which is in existence for the acquisition by the State of land of scenic value. If the Department could be assured of a substantial annual vote arrangements could be made to proceed with a steady plan for the gradual acquisition of areas of outstanding scenic interest.' The system which has obtained during late years has in effect confined the acquisition of scenic areas to cases where the greatest pressure has been brought to bear, and it, has been impossible for the Department to work to any regular plan. This has been most unsatisfactory in many ways, and it is hoped that it will be possible for better arrangements to be made in the future. The Department is firmly of opinion that in the matter of scenery preservation it has a definite contribution to make to the future well-being of the Dominion. Legislation. The Reserves and other Lands Disposal Act, 1935, dealt with three matters of scenic interest. The Hundalee Scenic Reserves Board was authorized to accept a lease of an area of 3 acres 35'7 perches of Native land. The Board has vested in it the control of a number of scenic reserves situated along the Main South Road where the road actually follows the coast. In its administration of these reserves the Board has been greatly hampered by the actions of some fishermen who in the past have,camped in various parts of the reserves and have refused to shift their camps to the area allotted by the Board for that purpose. When action has been taken to cause them to shift these camps some have moved on to adjacent Native land, part of which forms a Native cemetery. Trustees are being appointed to control the cemetery, and it will then be possible to deal with trespassers thereon; but the only means of controlling the balance of the Native land appears to be to authorize the Board to accept a lease thereof. The parties concerned are agreeable to the leasing proposal, which will be confirmed by the Native Land Court of the district in the usual way. Certain Crown land and a road area were added to the Ship Cove Reserve, and provision was made for the administration and control of the reserve by ma,king certain of the provisions of the Scenery Preservation Acts applicable thereto. Authority was given for the application of moneys received in respect of the Onairo Domain for expenditure on the adjoining Pukemiro and Onairo River Scenic Reserves, which are under the control of the New Plymouth Scenic Reserves Board. In this case the» Board's revenue had proved insufficient for the proper maintenance and improvement of the numerous reserves under its control, and it was considered desirable that a reasonable portion of the funds belonging to the Onairo Domain, which is not used for recreation, but has been leased for grazing, should be made available to the Scenic Board for expenditure on the adjacent scenic reserves. Appendices. A schedule of reserves made and reservations revoked during the year, accompanied by a statement of expenditure, follows as Appendix A, while Appendix B records the work carried out on Kapiti Island.

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