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1942, NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY. SCENERY PRESERVATION. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1942, 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, 18th August, 1942. Sin, — I have the honour to submit herewith a report on scenery preservation for the year ended 31st March, 1942. I have, &c., R. G. Macmoeban, Under-Secretary for Lands. The Hon. the Minister in Charge of Scenery Preservation, Wellington.

REPORT.

The past year was one of but limited activity so far as the acquisition and reservation of land for scenic purposes was concerned. However, eight areas totalling some 1,890 acres were set apart as scenic reserves in various parts of the Dominion. The reservations made included a fine block of 621 acres of native bush overlooking the newly-formed highway from Tongaporutu to Ohura, another of 447 acres near the headwaters of the Waikanae River, and a third of 708 acres around Silvan Lake in the Dart District of Otago. Two small areas adjacent to Kennedy's Bush on the Summit Road were also reserved during the year, one of which was very generously donated by the Hon. Sir R. Heaton Rhodes. The purchase of a few areas was completed during the year, but the Proclamations bringing the lands concerned under the provisions of the Scenery Preservation Act have not yet been issued. One acquisition was that of an area of 187 acres adjoining the well-known Kiripaka Reserve near Whangarei. The North Auckland Forest Society took active steps in the purchase of this area, and succeeded in raising the sum of £400 towards the total cost of £650. The remaining £250 was contributed by the Department. Another interesting purchase was that of an area of some 750 acres on the southern slopes of Pirongia Mountain. In this case the Hamilton and Te Awamutu Borough Councils and the Waipa, Raglan, and Otorohanga County Councils co-operated with the Department and found the greater portion of the purchase-price of £1,750. A little less than half the area is in bush. This portion is to be made scenic reserve, while the remainder is to be held by the Te Awamutu Borough Council in trust for itself and the other local bodies for the purposes of afforestation and water conservation, and as a scenic reserve.

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The following schedule gives details of the areas actually set apart during the year : —

Reserves made in 1941-42 under the Scenery Preservation Act, 1908, and Amendments.

The number of scenic reservations in the Dominion is now 1,187, covering a total area of 843,248 acres. Expenditure during the year amounted to £2,734, details being as follows £ Acquisition of land .. .. .. .. . • ■ ■ ■ • 766 General administration, maintenance charges, improvements, and grants to Scenic Boards .. .. .. .. .. • • ■ • 749 Trounson Kauri Park : Charges in connection with improvement, maintenance, and protection .. .. .. .. .. • • • • 457 Waitangi Endowment: Tree-planting, &c. .. .. .. .. 762 Total expenditure for year .. .. .. .. .. £2,734 The total expenditure to date since 1904 is £255,170, including £182,365 spent on the acquisition of land. Proposals are in hand for the reservation of numerous areas of Crown land in various districts, while, should funds permit, the acquisition of a few selected areas of privately-owned land will be attempted. Existing reserves are generally in good condition, and there were no serious outbreaks of fire during the year. It is becoming increasingly difficult for the Department to maintain constant supervision of all reservss, but inspections are made by the field staff as often as possible. Scenic Boards and honorary Inspectors continue to give valuable service.

Approximate Cost of Paper,—Preparation, not given ; printing (558 copies), £2 15s.

By Authority: E. V. Paul, Government Printer, Wellington. —1942.

Price 3d.]

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I . Date of Local Name. Description. Area. Proclamation. North Auckland Land District. a. b. p. Waiwera .. .. .. Part Allotment 110a, Waiwera Parish .. .. 14 0 00 28/7/41 Rawene .. .. . . Allotments 52, 57, and 61, Suburbs of Hokianga 2 3 35 Clevedon .. .. .. Allotment 52, Wairoa Parish . . .. .. 10 2 04 Taranaki Land District. Tongaporutu-Ohura Highway .. | Parts Section 5, Block X, Waro Survey District | 621 3 10 | Wellington Land District. Waikanae River .. | Section 60, Block X, Kaitawa Survey District ., f. 447 0 00 Canterbury Land District. Kennodys Bush .. .. Reserve 3923, Blocks III and VII, Halswell Survey 16 3 18 6/10/41 District „ .. .. Reservo 4069, Block III, Halswell Survey District 69 2 39 6/10/41 Otago Land District. Silvan Lake .. .. .. Rcsorve A, Dart Survey District .. . . 708 0 00 f Total .. .. .. .. 1,890 3 26 * Education-endowment land set apart for scenic purposes by section 18 of the Reserves and other Lands Disposal Act, 1941. t Recreation reserve set apart for scenic purposes by section 19 of the Reserves and other Lands Disposal Act, 1941.