C.—6.

1933. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY. SCENERY-PRESERVAYION. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1933, 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.

Sir, — Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, Ist August, 1933. I have the honour to submit herewith a report on scenery-preservation for the year ended 31st March, 1933. I have, &c., W. Robertson, Under-Secretary for Lands. The Hon. E. A. Ransom, Minister in Charge of Scenery-preservation, Wellington.

REPORT,

Proclamations issued during the year setting apart land as scenic or historic reserves under the provisions of the Scenery Preservation Act covered an area of some 5,790 acres. In the North Auckland Land District a small area of more than ordinary historic interest was set aside at Russell for scenic and historic purposes. This reserve at one time was the site of the flagstaff which was cut down by the famous Maori warrior Hone Heke at the time of the early Maori troubles at Kororareka, and its reservation from an historic point of view was much to be desired. An area of 40 acres of township sections at Waitangi was taken for historic purposes during the year. This area adjoins the lands referred to in the Waitangi National Trust Board Act, 1932, and provision was made in section 9 of that Act for the vesting of the taken lands in the Waitangi National Trust Board upon payment to the Crown by or on behalf of the Board of the cost of acquisition thereof. In the Village of Leigh an area of 1 acre 2 roods 38 perches, fronting the harbour, was set apart as a scenic reserve with the view to preserving the beautiful pohutukawa trees growing along the foreshore. This area was acquired from the owner by way of exchange for some Crown sections in the village, and arrangements are in hand for the acquisition of a further area. Reservations in the Auckland Land District included an area of 13J acres of steep, bush-covered slopes fronting the shores of the Kawhia Harbour. The area is admirably adapted to scenic purposes, and forms a worthy addition to the existing reserves around Kawhia. A further 226 acres of bush-clad country in the vicinity of Ngatera, and situated along the Auckland-Rotorua Railway were added to the already extensive reservations in that locality. Reservations in the Gisborne Land District comprised areas totalling some 1,369 acres along the recently completed Opotiki-Matawai Road. This road will undoubtedly develop into the main highway between Gisborne and Opotiki, and the reservations made will aid materially in preserving its scenic charm, comprising as they do native bush of high scenic value. The bush is fully representative of the heavy mixed forest of the locality, liberally interspersed with rata and tree ferns. In the Taranaki Land District arrangements were completed for the reservation of an area of 338 acres adjacent to the main Stratford-Ohura Road. This reservation consists of steep broken country in heavy bush, principally tawa, and is of considerable scenic value, situated as it is close to and visible from a main highway much in use by tourist traffic. A further area comprising 582 acres of steep sandstone country adjoining the Stratford Main Trunk Railway was set aside as a scenic reserve. Activities in the Wellington Land District led to the reservation of several areas of considerable scenic interest. The first of these is a small area of some 5 acres on the banks of the Wanganui River and adjacent to the Te Maire - Mangaohutu Main Highway. This reservation will undoubtedly prove a valuable addition to the already extensive and beautiful reserves along the course of the river. A splendid bush area of 40 acres at Horopito was about to be milled when the local people brought the matter under notice, and an exchange of bush was arranged whereby the Department was able to acquire the threatened area as a reserve. The third reservation was that of an area of 50 acres adjoining the Wanganui River in the vicinity of Pipiriki. The reserve comprises for the most part exceedingly steep rocky faces, all in standing