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Areas purchased but not proclaimed by End op Year. Mention may be made of the following areas the acquisition of which was approved during the year but in respect of which the necessary Proclamations under the Scenery Preservation Act have still to issue : — (1) An area of 1,460 acres in the Mangamuka Gorge, being the Mangamuka West 3bb and 3cc Blocks. These areas are situated on the Whangarei-Kaitaia Main Highway eighty miles north of Whangarei, and contain magnificent native bush of all varieties. The purchase price was £1 per acre. They link up with a number of existing scenic reserves in the gorge, and with a State forest reserve in the vicinity a large tract of country in virgin bush of outstanding beauty is now assured of protection. (2) An area of 169 acres of native bush situated near the summit of the well-known Manaia Mountain, at the entrance to the Whangarei Harbour. The land has been acquired at a very reasonable price from the estate of the late Mr. J. J. Craig. The main bush areas on Manaia Mountain are now held by the Crown as reserves. (3) An area of 93 acres of heavy bush in Chance Bay, Pelorus Sound, acquired from the Brownlee Investment Co., Ltd. Gifts of Scenic Areas. The Department is pleased to report the following gifts of scenic areas to the Crown : — (a) Mr. T. H. Hayes and members of his family have given an area of approximately 183 acres in the Kaeo district on condition that an adjoining area of approximately 47 acres of Crown land is included in the reservation. The gift area is mostly in very good native bush, and with the Crown land referred to will make an excellent reserve of distinct scenic and water-conservation value. The Department is now attending to the survey of the gift area and its transfer to the Crown. (b) Mr. W. F. Wallis has given two small areas of scenic value on the Waitetuna Channel, Raglan Harbour. The gift is subject to the Department surveying the areas and arranging for the issue of residue titles. (c) The National Mutual Life Association of Australasia, Ltd., has given an area of approximately 1,000 acres of land in the Oparure district comprising approximately 800 acres of high tableland in virgin bush and 200 acres of steep broken country which has been felled but which is rapidly reverting to second growth. The bush area is the source of several streams, and the whole block will make a desirable scenic and water-conservation area. The Department is arranging for the survey and the title adjustments involved. (d) Mr. R. Aynsley has given his interest in a leasehold section of 100 acres situated on the summit of the hill overlooking Greymouth on the south side of the main portion of the town. The section, which is surrounded on three sides by limestone cliffs, is bush clad and will make a most desirable addition to an adjoining scenic reserve. Scenery Preservation Board. Meetings of the Scenery Preservation Board were held to consider scenic proposals in the North Auckland, Auckland, Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, Taranaki, Wellington, Nelson, Marlborough, Westland, Otago, and Southland Land Districts, and fifty-four recommendations were submitted to His Excellency the Governor-General for the acquisition and reservation of areas of scenic and historic interest throughout the Dominion under the provisions of the Scenery Preservation Act. Supervision of Reserves. During the year special Scenic Boards were appointed or reappointed, as follows : The Katikati Hot Springs Scenic Board to control the Katikati Hot Springs Scenic Reserve ; the Pounawea Scenic Reserves Board to control the Pounawea Scenic Reserves ; the New Plymouth Scenic Reserves Board to control the Pukemiro, Onairo River, Ratapihipihi, Puketi Pa, Pukerangiora Pa, Meeting-of-the-Waters, Okoki Pa, Awa-te-take Pa, and Te Koru Pa Scenic and Historic Reserves ; the Hutchinson Scenic Board to control the Hutchinson Scenic Reserve ; the Forest Hill Scenic Board to control the Forest Hill Scenic Reserve ; the Waipukurau Borough Council to control the Tukituki River Scenic Reserve ; the Matamata Borough Council to control the Gordon Park (Matamata) Scenic Reserve ; the Ruapekapeka Pa Scenic Board to control the Ruapekapeka Pa Scenic Reserve; the Punakaiki Scenic Board to control the Punakaiki Scenic Reserves ; the Whangarei Borough Council to control the Whangarei Scenic Reserve; the Hutt County Council to control the Silverstream Scenic Reserve ; the Akitio County Council to control the Pongaroa Scenic Reserves ; the Rangitikei County Council to control the Silverhope Scenic Reserves ; the Peninsula County Council to control the Titeremoana Scenic Reserve ; the Matiere Scenic Board to control the Matiere Scenic Reserve ; the Invercargill City Council to control the Waihopai River Scenic Reserve ; the Dannevirke Borough Council to control portion of the Makirikiri Scenic Reserve ; the Christchurch City Council to control the Summit Road Scenic Reserves ; and the Tauranga County Council to control the Puketoki Scenic Reserve. An additional area was placed under the control of the Collingwood County Council. Additional members were appointed to the Ohakune Lakes and Manginangina Scenic Boards. Sixty-one gentlemen were appointed as honorary Inspectors of Scenic Reserves, including a large number of patrolmen employed by various automobile associations in the North Island. The support of the associations in this matter is much appreciated.

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