a—e.

A small area near Broadwood was set apart for scenic purposes during the year. This section is situated on the Awaroa Stream and adjoins the Otaneroa Farm Settlement. Although the reserve is only some 6 acres in extent, it contains native bush of considerable scenic value. The reservation was completed over two areas containing in all approximately 18 acres comprising beautiful bush-clad hills sloping from the Waiarohia Stream in the western portion of the Whangarei Borough. This area was acquired for the sum of £355, of which amount £232 was contributed by the Whangarei Borough Council, the balance being paid by the Crown. An area of 73 acres situated on top of Pukekaroro Mountain which had been constituted many years ago as the Pukekaroro Domain was declared to be a scenic reserve. This reserve is covered in light bush with a fair regeneration of young kauri. Reservations in the Auckland Land District totalled some 2,364 acres. Mention was made in the report for the year ended 31st March, 1939, of the gift for scenic purposes by the National Mutual Life Association of Australasia, Ltd., of an area in the Oparure district. The survey of this area was subsequently put in hand, and the block, which contains;9B4 acres, has now been formally reserved. This area comprises a high tableland in bush and its reservation was desirable both from a climatic and scenic point of view. The reservation,,was .completed over an area of 279 acres in the Cambridge district. This land was originally portion of the Waikato Sanatorium Reserve and later on was included in the Te Miro Settlement. It is a well-known beauty spot, and in addition to its scenic features has a value from a waterconservation, point of view. A Proclamation, was issued over an area of 123 acres of surrendered Crown leasehold in Awakino Survey District situated along the Mangaoronga Stream. This area is covered in bush and is only a short distance from the Main highway from the west coast districts to Te Kuiti. An area of Crown land comprising 56 acres situated on the main Coromandel -Whitianga Road approximately six miles from Cambridge was set apart during the year. This area contains bush of scenic value and adjoins a large area at present reserved as State forest. A Proclamation was issued over an area of 404 acres of Crown land near Te Puke. An adjacent area of 465 acres of Native land, being Part Otawa No. 2 Block, was also taken for scenic purposes under the Public Works Act. These reservations, together with an adjoining area of 322 acres previously acquired, cover the borough water-supply and will fully protect the watershed at this point. As indicated in last year's report, the acquisition of these areas has been arranged in conjunction with the Borough Council. With the consent of the Education Department two education reserves in Pirongia Parish comprising a total area of 50 acres were declared to be subject to the Scenery Preservation Act. These sections comprise bush areas adjoining existing scenic reserves on the slopes of Pirongia Mountain. In the (xisborne Land District an area of 5 acres of Crown land situated across the Opato Stream which adjoins the Clisborne-Opotiki Main Highway was proclaimed. This is a steep piece of land covered in bush of scenic value. A Proclamation was also issued over a Crown area of 50 acres adjoining the Waimana Valley Road about thirty miles from Opotiki. The bush on this area comprises principally tawa and ngaio with fairly thick undergrowth. In the Weber County, Tlawke's Bay Land District, part of an education reserve comprising 12 acres was surrendered by the lessee and, with the consent of the Education Department, added to the Waihi Palls Scenic Reserve. This area is situated on a bend in the Waihi Stream and contains a fine patch of bush. An unused portion of a road comprising 5 acres was closed and added to the same reserve. The road area had not been formed and is in bush. Pour reservations were made during the year in the Taranaki Land District, increasing the scenic reserves in that district by 1,572 acres. All these areas were formerly held under lease, but on reversion to the Crown the opportunity was taken to reserve the land for scenic purposes. Two of the blocks containing respectively 513 acres and 473 acres are situated on the Tongaporutu-Mangaroa Road, which is being constructed as a secondary highway and when completed will, become the main road between Mew Plymouth and Ohura. Both areas possess considerable scenic value. Of the remaining two blocks, one of 143 acres, situated in the Ohura County, although useless for farming, contains some good-qiiality native bush, while the other block is an area of 443 acres in the Eltham County which a Crown tenant agreed to surrender from his lease. The destruction of the bush on this area would have achieved no useful purpose. During the year the exchange was completed of an area of 36 acres of scenic reserve on the Kawatau North Road, Rangitikei County, Wellington Land District, for a freehold area of 35 acres in the same locality. The bush on the scenic reserve was destroyed by fire many years ago, while the freehold area possesses distinct scenic value, being for the most part covered in heavy bush. Under the authority of section 8 of the Local Legislation Act, 1939, the Hutt County Council joined with the Crown in the acquisition of an area of 265 acres at Lowry Bay. The purchase-price was £2,000, of which the Crown paid £750 and the local body agreed to find the balance. A good deal of the 265 acres is in bush, and since the area was acquired this portion, comprising 163 acres, has been set aside as a scenic reserve. This reserve will be a distinct asset to the City of Wellington and surrounding districts. The balance of the area purchased, which is not suitable for reservation under the Scenery Preservation Act, has been vested in the Council for administration under the Counties Act, 1920. The reservation was completed over an area of 13 acres 3 roods 23-33 perches, being Part Sections 4 and 5, Block XIII, Belmont Survey District. This area is situated, in Petono Borough on the new Western Hutt Highway and has considerable scenic and historic value, with patches of native bush and ornamental shrubs, a running stream, a mill pond, and an interesting old mill building with waterwheel. A half-interest in the property was left to the Crown under the will of the late William Alfred Percy,

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