C.—6.

1941. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY. SCENERY PRESERVATION. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1941, 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 September, 1941. Sir, — I have the honour to submit herewith a report on scenery preservation for the year ended 31st March, 1941. I have, &c., R. 6. Macmorran, Under-Secretary for Lands. The Hon. Frank Langstone, Minister in Charge of Scenery Preservation, Wellington.

REPORT.

Areas set apart during the year by Proclamation or otherwise as scenic or historic reserves under the Scenery Preservation Act covered a total area of 16,184 acres. In the North Auckland District the reservation was completed over an area of 653 acres on Great Barrier Island. A portion of this land, containing 255 acres, was purchased by the Crown from Mr. T. H. Overton at a cost of £255, the balance being Crown land. The reserve contains a number of fine specimens of kauri-trees and mixed bush. A Proclamation was issued over an area of Crown land comprising 236 acres in Block IX, Mangamuka Survey District. This reserve is within easy distance of Kohukohu and consists of bush of mixed varieties. Apart from its scenic value, the reservation of this area is in the interests of native-bird protection in a district where heavy bush is becoming sparse. Steps were taken to set apart an area of 203 acres of Crown land about three miles from liikurangi on the Hikurangi-Marua Main Highway. This reserve contains nice patches of native bush, a good view of which may be obtained from the road. An area of 30 acres, being Section 245, Motutara Settlement, situated not far distant from the Muriwai Beach, was reserved. Unfortunately, about two years ago a fire occurred causing serious damage to this area, but the remaining bush was considered to be well worth preserving. A certain amount of replanting has been carried out, and it is considered that this action, together with natural regeneration, will, in process of time, assist in a measure in remedying the damage caused. A Proclamation was issued covering an area of 59 acres of Crown land, being Section 14, Block XIV, Punakitere Survey District, situated about eighteen miles from Kaikohe. This reserve comprises a fine area of native bush of scenic value abutting a formed road from which the reserve can be viewed. The reservation was completed over an area of 20 acres situated about eight miles from Kaitaia and adjoining the Mangatete Farm Settlement. This area contains a nice block of native bush on a steep face.

I—C. 6.