C.—6.

1910. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY. SCENERY PRESERVATION. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1940, TOGETHER WITH STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURE AND SCHEDULE OF LANDS ACQUIRED AND RESERVED DURING THE YEAR UNDER THE SCENERY PRESERVATION ACT.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly 'pursuant to Section 17 of the Scenery Preservation Act, 1908.

Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, Ist August, 1940. Sir, — I have the honour to submit herewith a report on scenery preservation for the year ended 31st March, 1940. I have, &c., R. C. Macmorran, Under-Secretary for Lands. The Hon. Frank Langstone, Minister in Charge of Scenery Preservation, Wellington.

REPORT.

Areas sot apart during the year by Proclamation or otherwise as scenic or historic reserves under the Scenery Preservation Act covered a total area of 5,951 acres. In the North Auckland Land District an area of 2 acres 3 roods 2-6 perches adjoining Roose's Bush, in Pukekohe, was purchased for the sum of £450. The Department contributed £400, the Borough Council finding the balance and agreeing to fence the area within a reasonable time and to keep it in good order. The new reserve adjoins an area of 26 acres 3 roods which was acquired by the Borough Council for £4,000 some years ago after a poll of ratepayers had been taken. The area of 169 acres of native bush on Manaia Mountain referred to in last year's report as having been acquired from the estate of the late Mr. J. J. Craig was set apart under the Act during the year. The purchase price was £120. The reserves at Bream Head and Manaia Mountain now comprise a total area of 1,086 acres, and arrangements have been made to place them under the control of the Whangarei Harbour Board, which has always been keen to preserve the amenities of the district and which has facilities that the Department does not possess for patrolling the reserves. Bush areas totalling 1,010 acres were set apart along the Russell-Whangaruru Road. They comprise— (a) An area of 463 acres 2 roods of freehold purchased from Mr. B. G. Hall for 10s. an acre plus cost of fencing. (b) Two Native areas (parts of Tutaematai B 2 Block) containing together 546 acres 3 roods 36 perches. In this case the Department gave an area of 405 acres of Crown land suitable for Native-land-development purposes and also paid the sum of £161 by way of equality of exchange. The Russell-Whangaruru Road runs for some miles through very fine mixed bush in its virgin state. The forest is fully representative of the best New Zealand bush, and contains magnificent specimens of kauri and totara, while numerous kauris grow immediately on the roadside. Apart altogether from the bush, splendid views of the Waikare River, Manawara Bay, Kerikeri River, Mangonui Inlet, and Whangaruru Harbour open up at several points, making the whole road an exceedingly fine scenic drive.