C.—lo.

(2) An, area of 7 acres 3 roods 34 perches at Mount Maunganui. This area was vested many years ago in the Tauranga Harbour Board in trust for signal-station, purposes. It has not been used for the purpose for which it was originally set aside, and the Harbour Board agreed to hand the area back to the Crown so that it could be made a public domain. The reserve, which is known as Mount Drury, consists of a low but prominent hill with a terraced formation. It has historical associations, and its easy contour together with its proximity to an exceedingly popular beach, renders it particularly desirable for a recreation reserve for public use and enjoyment. It has been placed under the control of the Mount Maunganui Town Board. (3) An area of 15 acres, known as Donner's Bush, and situated about four miles from Gisborne. It contains some nice bush and is a favourite picnic resort. This area was private land which it was decided should be acquired in the public interest. The purchase-price was £5 per acre. Arrangements are being made for the appointment of a Domain Board comprising five private members, together with representatives of the Gisborne Borough, Council, the Cook County Council, and the Department. (4) An area of 180 acres 0 roods 4-5 perches near Puketitiri, Hawlte's Bay, comprising the open portion of the land donated to the Crown in 1937 by Mr. F. Hutchinson, of Rissington. A strongly representative Board has been appointed, and it is hoped to develop portion of the area as a general sports-ground for the district. (5) Three areas containing together 62 acres 2 roods 15 perches at Carter's Beach, Westport. The new domain extends along the beach, which is a very fine one, for about two miles, and its development and improvement should prove of great benefit to the Westport district. A strong Domain Board has been appointed, including representatives of the Borough and County Councils. (6) An area of 4 acres in Murchison., now known as the River View Domain. This area has been placed under the control of the Murchison County Council, which is developing it as a camping-ground. (7) An area of 7 acres 3 roods 25-09 perches at Wataroa. This area was portion of a block of land acquired by the Wataroa Aero Club, and was transferred to the Crown during the year in order that it could be made a public domain. In consideration of such transfer the Department made a grant of £50 for improvements. The Department also arranged for the survey of the recreation area. A local Domain Board has been set up to control the reserve. Wataroa had no suitable recreation-ground, and the people of the district are to be commended on their enterprise in repairing the deficiency. (8) An area of 3 acres 2 roods in the Town of Taylorville. This area was owned by the ~»! Canterbury Education Board, but had been leased for many years to the Brunner Borough Council for use as a recreation-ground. At the request of the Department the Education Board executed a transfer to the Crown, and the land was thereupon reserved for recreation purposes, made a public domain, and placed under the control of a local Domain Board. The reserve has been very considerably improved by the efforts of the local people. (9) An area of 9 acres 3 roods 35 perches at Ouruhia, near Christchurch. About 6 acres was purchased by the local people from the Railways Department for the sum of £156. The remainder was also acquired from the Railways Department, but in this instance the Lands Department found the sum of £125 to enable the transaction to be completed. Considerable improvements have been carried out, and the people of Ouruhia deserve great credit for their enterprise in acquiring and developing the land as a public park. (10) An area of 10 acres situated at the mouth of the Waitaki River and known as the Waikakahi Domain. (11) An area of 14 acres 3 roods 31 perches at Mount Aspiring Bay, Lake Wanaka, now known as the Glendhu Domain. This area is exceedingly popular with the general public as a camping-ground. It was formerly portion of a pastoral run, but the licensee agreed to surrender the area from his license, and the Lake County Council expressed its willingness to control the land as a public domain so that camping could be properly controlled and adequate facilities provided. The Department was therefore pleased to arrange for the survey and the surrender of the land from the pastoral license, and for the appointment of the Council as the Domain Board. (12) An area of 5 acres 0 roods 14 perches in the Town of Niagara, Southland. This land had been withheld from disposal with a view to its being utilized for recreation purposes, and on the residents expressing their desire to control and improve the land the Department was pleased to arrange for its reservation and for the appointment of a local Domain Board. During the year arrangements were made, with the co-operation of the Hutt County Council, for the acquisition for recreation purposes of an area of 30 acres 1 rood at Paremata Bridge, on the Porirua Harbour, but the land has not yet been constituted as a public domain. The necessary arrangements are, however, in hand, and it is proposed to place the reserve under the control of a Board comprising representatives of the Council and the Department. The purchase-price was £1,500, half of which was contributed by the Department and the other half by the local body.

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