C.—6.

and the other half-interest was acquired from the estate for the sum of £500. The Pctone Borough Council has undertaken to control the reserve, which when put in order and improved should be a most valuable addition to the public reserves in the Hutt Valley. In the Nelson Land District an area of 785 acres of Crown land on the Maruia River was reserved. Portion of this land had previously been held on lease, but owing to damage by earthquake and flood the lessee surrendered his interest. This reserve comprises bush-clad slopes facing the main road through the Maruia Valley. A section comprising 529 acres at Mokihinui on the main highway between Wcstport and Karamea was set apart during the year. This area had previously been occupied, but the land was unsuitable for farming purposes and the lease was eventually forfeited. The bulk of the section is covered in bush. The reservation was completed over an area of 1,409 acres situated at Deep Bay, Pelorus Sound. The lease over this land was forfeited in 1934. Part of the area was at one time cleared, but is rapidly reverting to fern and scrub. In view of the poor nature of the property from a farming point of view, it was considered that the area should be reserved and the cleared portion allowed to regenerate. Arrangements were completed during the year for the reservation for scenic purposes of an area of 4,612 acres at Maruia Hot Springs. This land forms the greater part of an area reserved for publicutility purposes in 1875 and brought under the provisions of the Tourist and Health Resorts Control Act in 1926. Arrangements were made whereby the Tourist Department was to retain control over the Hot Springs area, while the area of 4,612 acres was constituted a scenic reserve. The reserve lies along the main road, on the Reefton side of the Lewis Pass, and the land possesses considerable scenic value. The reservation was completed over an area of bush-clad Crown land comprising 56 acres in the Buller Valley, Inangahua County. This reserve adjoins other areas previously set apart for scenic purposes. Areas totalling 3,012 acres in the Marlborough Land District were set apart during the year, brief particulars being as follows : — (1) An area of 302| acres of freehold land in Queen Charlotte Sound acquired by the Crown at a cost of £1 ss. per acre. This land adjoins the Kumutoto Scenic Reserve, and the setting-apart of the additional area will provide a valuable addition to and assist greatly in the protection of that popular and picturesque reserve. (2) An area of 80 acres of Crown land in Kaipapa Bay adjacent to the Kumutoto Reserve. This section is practically covered in light bush and second growth and is a decided scenic asset. (3) Areas totalling 370 acres in or near Endeavour Inlet, Queen Charlotte Sound, being portion of a forfeited Crown leasehold. About half of this area was felled many years ago but has now reverted to fern. The balance is covered in bush of scenic value. (4) An area of 702 acres in Fairy Bay, being portion of a small grazing-run surrendered from the lease. This area is covered in virgin bush. (5) A forfeited Crown leasehold of 1,557 acres situated in the valley of the Tinline River about six miles from Pelorus Bridge. This land comprises beech-bush country and its reservation makes a valuable addition to the present Pelorus Scenic Reserve. In the Westland Land District the reservation was completed over an area of 17| acres at Lake Brunner, being freehold land acquired at a cost of £83. The area consists of a steep rocky hillside, together with a small bush-clad valley overlooking the lake. An area of 123| acres on the Arnold River, Buller Survey District, was reserved. This area is most suited for a scenic reserve as it is covered in native bush and occupies a bold point projecting into the main valley of the river. > _ . . ' . A Proclamation was issued over an area of 27 acres situated on the Haupiri—Kopara Road. Ihts land formed portion of a renewable lease, the lessee surrendering the area upon payment of £7 10s. for loss of road frontage. The section contains a fine stand of beech forest, The Lake Kaniere Scenic Reserve was increased by the addition of Crown land and closed road comprising a total area of 43 acres. The Department is pleased to report the gift by Miss Noeline Baker of an area of 33 acres of bush land at Half-moon Bay, Stewart Island. This area, which has been reserved for scenic purposes, comprises bush typical of the best m the island. As a mark of appreciation of the gift the area has been named the " Baker Park Scenic Reserve." The areas set apart throughout the Dominion during the year may be roughly classified as follows :— Area Class of Land. (Acres). Private land acquired by Department .. .. . • • • ■ • 575 Private land acquired by Department assisted by local bodies .. . 181 Native land acquired under Public Works Act .. .. • • • ■ 465 Freehold gift areas .. •• •• •• 1,031 Crown land and forfeited and surrendered Crown leaseholds .. 9,150 Land obtained in exchange .. .. • • • • • • ■ • 3.) Public-utility reserve taken over from Tourist Department .. 4,612 Education endowment set aside by special legislation .. . • 62 Public domain declared scenic reserve .. .. .. • • •• 73 Total .. .. T-M B4

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