C. —6.

whole area will be reserved as soon as possible. These areas, together with existing reserves, will form a substantial contribution towards a continuous reserve along the main watershed. Areas totalling a little over 7,000 acres in the Auckland Land District were dealt with during the year. The reservations made included a block of 316 acres (formerly State forest) situated near Wairakau, about six miles from Te Aroha. This is steep and broken country, mostly in tawa bush, and containing a fine grove of kauri. Farther south a block of 4,441 acres (including two small State forest reserves each of 50 acres) of steep and broken bush land on the ranges behind Gordon were brought under the Act. Arrangements were also completed for the reservation of an area of 2,183 acres on the slopes of Pirongia Mountain. Of this area, some 1,700 acres was purchased from private owners, the remainder comprising Crown land lying generally within the purchased areas. The Bruce Trustees made a most generous contribution in this case, and the Department is once again deeply indebted to them for their practical assistance in the cause of scenery preservation. A small reservation of 128 acres was made on the watershed between the Waitekauri and Grace Darling Streams in the Waikino district. No reservations were made in the Gisborne and Hawke's Bay Districts, but various proposals for the acquisition of areas of scenic interest are under consideration. The only reservation in the Taranaki District was that of a small area of closed road and severance on the Stratford-Taumarunui Main Highway. This was added to an existing reserve in the locality. Reservations totalling some 3,251 acres were made in the Wellington District. These included an area of 204 acres of recreation reserve in the Makuri Gorge which was dealt with by special legislation (section 15 of the Reserves and other Lands Disposal Act, 1936) : small areas in Ohakune Borough and Pongaroa Township ; a number of small areas in th,e Turakina Vallev ; and some nice pieces of bush land in the Hautapu Block, Taihape District. 'An area of 715 acres near Mangaweka was also brought under the Act. This land had been reserved in 1907 for forest conservation and as a sanctuary for native birds, but it was considered that more adequate protection would be given by applying the provisions of the Scenery Preservation Act to the land. Arrangements were completed for the surrender by a Crown lessee of some 43 acres of excellent second-growth bush facing the Makatote Stream on the Main Trunk line ; and the land was duly proclaimed as a scenic reserve. The Railways Department made available for reservation an area of nearly 12 acres of railway land situated in a bend of the Hautapu River. This area carries a good stand of native bush, which is seen from the main Taihape-Ohakune Road, and which, together with the existing scenic reserve between the river and the road, is recognized as being one of the main beauty spots on that road. A small area of a little under 2 acres on the Marton-Hunterville Highway was purchased, and, together with an adjacent closed road area, was reserved and added to the Silverhope Reserve. An area of 1,888 acres of steep and broken bush country on the Wangamii River was also set apart during the year. Nelson District reservations totalled over 13,700 acres. Two areas of 3,000 acres and 4,100 acres respectively of the Buller Coal Field Reserve were set apart under the Scenery Preservation Act by section 18 of the Reserves and other Lands Disposal Act, 1936. These areas comprise hilly bush country at the Westport end of the Buller Gorge, and it is considered that the bush should be strictly reserved for scenic purposes. A small area of Crown land adjoining was also reserved. Six areas of provisional State forest, totalling some 4,975 acres and extending for about twenty miles along the Reefton-Maruia Road in the valleys of the Inangahua and Rahu Rivers, were set apart as scenic reserves with the consent and approval of the State Forest Service. They comprise generally a strip of bush approximately 20 chains in width on each side of the road. Large areas of provisional State forest reserves in the locality have been set apart as permanent State forests, but by special arrangement the strips along the road were excluded from the permanent State forest proposals in order that they might be brought under the Scenery Preservation Act. The Reefton-Maruia Road has considerable scenic beauty, the solid stand of bush along the road, with snow-capped mountains in the background, proving very fascinating to travellers. Two small reservations were made in the Motueka District, and Crown land areas totalling over 1,300 acres were set apart along the Westport-Greymouth Coast Road in continuation of the policy of reserving areas of scenic value situated along or in sight of main highways. Two small areas at Lake Rotoiti were reserved and placed under the control of the Rotoiti Scenic Reserves Board. These areas, which comprise attractive bush-clad slopes, were acquired from a private owner, the purchase-price being raised by public subscription. The people concerned are to be congratulated on their keenness to preserve the bush around the lake. Marlborough reservations included an area of 26 acres in the Kaikoura District purchased from private owners, areas totalling 91 acres in the Rai Valley, and an area of 1,050 acres of provisional State forest in the Pelorus Valley. The last-mentioned area was dealt with by section 29 of the Reserves and other Lands Disposal Act, 1936. It comprises milled bush, which is, however, still of scenic interest, and was set apart under the Scenery Preservation Act with the approval of the State Forest Service. An area of 1,002 acres in Endeavour Inlet was declared a private scenic reserve under section 6 of the Scenery Preservation Amendment Act, 1933, at the request of the owner, Commander H. L. Howden. This splendid area of virgin bush reaches from the shores of the Inlet to Mount Ferneaux, and adjoins the historic Ship Cove Reserve. It is recognized as comprising one of the most beautiful specimens of New Zealand forest still in existence, and the Department is very pleased at being afforded the opportunity of giving it the protection of the provisions of the Scenery Preservation Act. A bush track traverses the lower portion near the shore, providing a delightful walk and an added attraction for visitors to Endeavour Inlet. Several most interesting reservations were made in the Westland Land District during the year. Under the provisions of section 26 of the Reserves and other' Lands Disposal Act, 1936, eight areas

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