C.—6.

Three small sections, containing together some 14 acres, of what is known as the " Maoriroa Farm Settlement," near Broadwood, were reserved during the year. These small areas carry bush of scenic value, and it was therefore decided to exclude them from the general scheme of subdivision of the settlement. An area of 10 acres 2 roods 12 perches was added to Trounson Kauri Park. This land was made available by the State Forest Service and its inclusion in the Park has considerably improved the boundaries of the reserve. In the Paremoremo district an area of 113 acres was declared a scenic reserve. This area comprises hilly land in scrub, with patches of kauri and mixed bush in the gullies. Some years ago the Whangarei Borough Council joined with the Crown in the acquisition for scenic purposes of an area of 84 acres 1 rood 30-6 perches of freehold bush land. The transfer to the Crown was duly completed, but the actual proclamation of the land as a scenic reserve was overlooked until recently. This omission has now been rectified, and the reserve placed under the control of the Council, which contributed the sum of £700 towards the purchase of the land. Reservations in the Auckland Land District totalled some 6,133 acres. The principal reservation was that of an area of 4,490 acres of bush land on the Kaimai Ranges behind Matamata, the purchase of which by the Department in co-operation with the Matamata Borough Council was referred to in last year's report. This area has now been placed under the control of the Council pursuant to the provisions of section 13 of the Scenery Preservation Act, 1908. In last year's report reference was made to the gift by Mr. W. G Barnett of a small but valuable area of scenic bush on the Waotu South Road. A survey has now been carried out, and an area of 4 acres 2 roods 6 perches proclaimed as a scenic reserve on completion of the transfer to the Crown. An area of 2,432 acres of bush land was set aside near Lake Rotoma in extension of the reserve of 484 acres made in that locality last year. In the Gisborne Land District an area of 9 acres 3 roods 32-7 perches of Native land was taken under the Public Works Act as an addition to the Hiwarau Reserve after the Native owners had been acquainted of the Crown's intention to acquire the land and had agreed to the proposal. The original reserve of some 50 acres was acquired in 1912. It is a beautiful spot on the inland Whakatane-Opotiki Road, and possesses considerable historic interest. The acquisition of the additional area has greatly improved the reserve by taking in the whole of the old fighting pas as well as a beautiful stand of mamaku, and also by so improving the boundaries as to materially reduce the amount of fencing required to properly protect the whole reserve. In Hawke's Bay the reservation of the scenic portion of some 88 acres of the land near Puketitiri given by Mr. F. Hutchinson some two years ago was completed during the year. Completion of this matter was much delayed owing to the necessity arising of carrying out a rather complicated set of exchanges of areas and road takings and closings. The reserve has been named the " Hutchinson Scenic Reserve," and a Board of Control has been appointed. A considerable amount of work has been carried out in clearing up dead timber and debris around the edges of the bush to lessen the fire danger, and in the planting of suitable trees. Reservations in the Taranaki Land District totalled some 1,937 acres, including an area of 1,256 acres in the watershed of the Motutara Stream, an area of 340 acres near Okahukura, an area of 341 acres on the Ohura Stream (Ongarue district), and a small area as an addition to the Koru Pa Reserve. These are all attractive additions to the scenic reserves of Taranaki. It is surprising how little bush is left in this district, which was once so heavily timbered, and the Department proposes to take every available opportunity of preserving any remaining bush of scenic value. Scenic reserves in the Wellington Land District were increased by the taking under the Public Works Act of two areas of 5 acres 2 roods 34 perches and 3 acres 0 roods 16 perches respectively of the Kai-Iwi 6h 2e No. 2 Block. The areas are situated on the Wanganui - New Plymouth Highway about fourteen miles from Wanganui, and are covered in native bush, which it is desired to preserve. Proposals for the acquisition of the land were initiated by the Waitotara County Council, which intimated that it would be pleased to fence the land if the Department would attend to its purchase. After consultation with the Native Department it was decided to take the land under the Public Works Act, the owners having intimated that they would be agreeable to such action. The compensation to be paid will be assessed by the Native Land Court. The fencing of the areas has been completed by the County Council in conjunction with that of an adjoining county reserve. This local body has been particularly helpful in all matters connected with scenery preservation in its area, and the Department is grateful for its ready co-operation and practical assistance in various ways. Areas of Crown land totalling some 2,644 acres in the Ahu Ahu district, Waitotara County, were set aside so that the bush they carry may be preserved The gift by Mr. H. M. Hayward of an area of 43 acres 2 roods 6-1 perches at White's Line East, as referred to in the last annual report, was completed during the year under review by the transfer of the land to the Crown and its proclamation under the Scenery Preservation Act under the name of the " Hayward's Park Scenic Reserve." A considerable amount of work has been carried out on the gift area. The principal reservation in the Nelson Land District was that of an area of 279 acres of native bush on the Wangamoa Hill, on. the main road from Nelson to Blenheim. The reservation comprises 59 acres of Crown land and 220 acres of private land acquired from the owner for the sum of £550. The Department regards it as most important that bush along main highways should be preserved whenever possible, and was particularly pleased to be able to complete the acquisition of the private land concerned in this case.

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