DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY SCENERY PRESERVATION REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1948, TOGETHER WITH STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURE AND SCHEDULE OF LANDS ACQUIRED AND RESERVED DURING THE YEAR UNDER THE SCENERY PRESERVATION ACT

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1948 Session I, C-06

C—6

1948 NEW ZEALAND

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY SCENERY PRESERVATION REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1948, 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, Sir,— Wellington, 30th June, 1948. I have the honour to submit herewith a report on scenery preservation for the year ended 31st March, 1948. I have, &c, D. M. Greig, Under-Secretary for Lands. The Hon. the Minister in Charge of Scenery Preservation, Wellington.

REPORT

Proclamations issued during the year setting apart land as scenic reserves under the Scenery Preservation Act in various parts of the Dominion covered a total area of 2,017 acres. In the Auckland Land District an area of 170 acres of bush land on the lower slopes of Ngongotaha Mountain was reserved after arrangements had been made for its surrender from a Crown leasehold. The area adjoins existing reserves on the mountain slopes.

C—6

Two areas totalling 147 acres in the Taranaki Land District were set apart during the year. One of these areas was formerly part of the Kohua Farm Settlement. It consists of steep and rugged country in light bush, and its setting-apart under the Small Farms Act was revoked in order that it might be reserved under the Scenery Preservation Act. It adjoins an existing reserve of 149 acres on the Mokauiti Road near Aria. In the Wellington Land District an area of nearly 19 acres of swampy bush on the banks of the Wanganui River near Kakahi was made a permanent reserve. Reference was made in last year's report to the gift by Mr. W. A. Miller of a small piece of picturesque bush in the Eketahuna district. This area of 6 acres was proclaimed during the year. It lies between the Makakahi Stream and the Masterton-Eketahuna Main Highway, and will be known in future as the W. A. Miller Memorial Scenic Reserve. Reservations totalling 1,502 acres were made in the Marlborough Land District, particulars being as follows : (a) An area of 72f acres of hilly bush land in the Rai Valley surrendered by a Crown lessee out of his holding. (b) Two areas surrendered out of Crown leases in the vicinity of the famous Ship Cove Reserve. One area of 829 acres extends along the shore of Queen Charlotte Sound immediately to the north of Ship Cove, while the other of 601 acres consists of bush land on the ridge lying between the Cove and Gore Bay. In the Nelson Land District an area of 21 acres of bush land on the Warwick River near Warwick Junction was surrendered from a Crown lease and set apart under the Scenery Preservation Act. In the Catlins district of Otago a fine though small bush area of 5 acres was acquired by an exchange of land between the Crown and the freehold owner. In the Southland Land District an area of 144| acres in the Glenham Settlement, near Wyndham, was set aside as a permanent reserve. When the settlement was cut up for lease over forty years ago, this area was withheld from disposal as a bush reserve. It contains some nice bush, which was attracting some attention for possible milling. However, the reserve is highly regarded in the district, and it was considered advisable to protect the bush by bringing the land under the Scenery Preservation Act. The areas set apart throughout the Dominion during the year may be roughly classified as follows : Class of Land. Area (Acres). Crown land areas .. .. .. .. .. 312 Crown leasehold areas made available in various ways .. 1,694 Gift area .. .. .. .. .. .. 6 Land obtained by exchange . . .. . . .. 5 Total .. .. .. .. .. 2,017 The reservation over 14 acres of scenic reserve on Motukaraka Island, in the Tamaki Strait, about 25 chains off-shore from the seaside resort of Beachlands, was cancelled during the year. This reserve was, by section 2 of the Reserves and other Lands Disposal Act, 1947, declared to be a recreation reserve and to be part of the Beachlands Domain. The island has but little scenic value, but is a popular picnic spot, and it was therefore thought desirable to arrange for its control as public domain land. The number of scenic reservations in the Dominion is now 1,230, covering a total area of 922,760 acres.

2

C—6

AREAS ACQUIRED BUT NOT PROCLAIMED BY END OF YEAR, AND GIFTS OF SCENIC AREAS Arrangements for the purchase of several areas were made during the year, while negotiations for others are being carried on. Amongst purchased areas awaiting proclamation may be mentioned two of 1,680 acres and 458 acres respectively on D'Urville Island and one of 301 acres at Mangarakau, in the north-west of Nelson Land District. The last-mentioned area was acquired from the Taitapu Lands No. 2 Co., Ltd., which also made a generous gift of a second area of 58 acres. A fine area of 360 .acres of bush-clad land at Okiwi Bay, in the Croixelles, was purchased during the year by Mrs. Perrine Moncrieff, of Nelson, for the express purpose of handing it over to the •Crown for reservation under the Scenery Preservation Act. Her generous gift was gratefully accepted, and a Proclamation will be issued in due course. The gift is a practical demonstration of the keen interest Mrs. Moncrieff, who is a valued member of the Abel Tasman National Park Board, has always shown in all matters pertaining to the preservation of native birds and bush. PRIVATE SCENIC RESERVES Several applications for the declaration of freehold bush areas as private scenic reserves under section 6 of the Scenery Preservation Amendment Act, 1933, are under consideration in various parts of the Dominion and, it seems likely, will result in the issue of the requisite Proclamations in terms of that legislation. The provisions of the statute in that respect have not been availed of to any great extent; but, nevertheless, some very fine areas have been proclaimed, and, as is indicated by the inquiries now under action, other owners are taking an interest in the scheme, which gives the benefit of the protection afforded by the provisions of the Scenery Preservation Act without involving .any change in the ownership of the land concerned. SUPERVISION OF RESERVES Arrangements were completed during the year for the vesting of control in the Christchurch City Council of nine reserves on what is known as the Summit Road scenic route, and renovation of the buildings on some of these areas is now proceeding. These Summit Road reserves are a valuable asset to the city, and the drive, as an observation tour, is very popular. Control of the Otatara Reserve was vested in the Invercargill City Council, and special Boards were appointed or reappointed as follows : the Pounawea Scenic Board to control the reserves at Pounawea, in the Catlms district of South Otago ; the Everett Road Scenic Board (including representatives of the local authorities of the district) to control the Everett Road Reserve, near Inglewood ; the Punakaiki Scenic Board to control a number of beautiful reserves in the vicinity of the Punakaiki and Porarari Rivers ; and the Tuatapere Scenic Board to control the fine reserves at Tuatapere, in western Southland. Vacancies in the membership of various Boards were filled, and additional members were appointed to the Lake Kaniere and New Plymouth Scenic Reserves Boards. Four gentlemen were appointed as honorary Inspectors of scenic reserves throughout the Dominion. The field staff of the Department made as many inspections of reserves as could be fitted in with other duties, and periodic inspections of the reserves on Stewart Island were carried out by the resident caretaker. Caretakers are also in residence on the Trounson Kauri Park Reserve and the Balls' Clearing Reserve at Puketitiri, Hawke's Bav.

3

€—6

GENERAL Very little fire damage occurred during the year. The Sounds district of Marlborough has for many years been a dangerous area during the summer and autumn, and it is therefore particularly pleasing to record that the number of fires there is. decreasing. It is felt that landholders in the district are gaining a better appreciation of the value of scenic reserves. There are still a good many cases of stock trespass, but until fencing-wire becomes more readily available the straying of stock cannot always be prevented. The Cape Kidnapper Bird Sanctuary continues to be a source of interest to large numbers of visitors every season. The honorary Rangers reported that the gannets. did not return to the nesting-ground in such large numbers as in former years ; but no special significance is attached to this. A party of Rovers from the Napier Scout Troop formed a working party in the early part of the season, and with materials supplied by the Sanctuary Board painted the rest hut and environs. This help was greatly appreciated by the Board. Some small grants were made to various Scenic Boards for fencing and general improvements, but it is, of course, extremely difficult to do much in the way of fencing. Plans are under consideration for a long-term scheme of planting at Trounson Park to protect the reserve from damage by gales. The reserve maintains its great popularity with the public. A good many inquiries were received for post-splitting rights in scenic reserves, due, no doubt, to the scarcity of fencing-timber on ordinary Crown lands. Applications of this nature are almost always refused, as, although dead trees can sometimes be -removed to advantage, in the great majority of cases it would, be unwise to grant permission for the removal of timber from these reserves. Public interest in scenic reserves is increasing considerably throughout the Dominion. Amongst the many organizations fostering a love of trees and natural scenery, special mention may be made of the Forest Society of Whangarei, which has a large membership and is spreading enthusiasm throughout the North. REVIEW OF OPERATIONS SINCE Ist JANUARY, 1936 Since the Ist January, 1936, areas totalling 219,000 acres have been set aside under the Scenery Preservation Act throughout the Dominion. Of this large area, no less than 53,800 acres consisted of State forest land made available by the State Forest Service for scenic reservation. Purchases of private and Maori land covered a little over 13,000 acres. In some of these purchases financial assistance was given by the Bruce trustees and by various local authorities, while in other cases substantial amounts were raised by public subscriptions. The amount actually expended out of the scenic vote on the acquisition of land was slightly over £16,000. Fourteen gift areas totalled over 1,600 acres. FUTURE OPERATIONS A great deal still remains to be done in the matter of scenery preservation. Various privately owned areas and Maori blocks are of scenic value, and will be acquired in due course if satisfactory arrangements can be made. Further areas of State forest will also doubtless be handed over from time to time for permanent reservation under the Scenery Preservation Act, while a good many areas of Crown land have been listed for reservation in the near future. It is hoped, also, when the general supply position improves, to do a considerable amount of fencing on selected reserves that are atpresent insufficiently fenced.

4

C—6

APPENDICES The appendices to this report are listed hereunder : A. Schedule of reserves made during the year together with a statement of expenditure. B. A short account of conditions on Kapiti Island. APPENDICES APPENDIX A

Reserves made in 1947-48 under the Scenery Preservation Act, 1908

2-C 6

5

Local Name. Description. Area. Date of Proclamation. Auckland Land District A. R. P. Ngongotaha Mountain j Section 16 (formerly part Section 1), Block I III, Horohoro Survey District Taranaki Land District 170 3 05 27/11/47 Kohua .. .. < Section 23, Block XI, Totoro Survey District Section 26, Block VII, Heao Survey District Wellington Land District 71 76 2 20 0 00 2/10/47 2/10/47 Wanganui River W. A. Miller Memorial Reserve Section 89, Block VI, Hunua Survey District Bart Section 171, Block XIII, Mangaone Survey District Marlborough Land District 18 6 3 20 0 00 6/10/47 18/11/47 Rai Valley Ship Cove .. .. < I Lot 2 of Section 9, Block III, Wakamarina Survey District Section 140, Queen Charlotte Sound, Registration District, and Sections 3 and 4, Block XVI, Gore Survey District Section 2 of 6, Block XVI, Gore Survey District Nelson Land District 72 829 601 2 23 0 00 0 00 14/10/47 20/2/48 20/2/48 Warwick River Section 23, Block XII, Burnett Survey District Otago Land District 21 0 00 24/10/47 Woodland Section 37, Block X, Woodland Survey District Southland Land District 5 0 00 4/2/48 Glenham Section 1a, Glenham Settlement, Block V, Wyndham Survey District 144 2 00 16/12/47 2,016 1 28

C —6

Statement showing Expenditure on Scenery Preservation for the Year ended 31st March, 1948 £ s. d. Acquisition of land .. .. .. .. .. .. 654 0 0 General administration, maintenance charges, improvements, and grants to Scenic Boards ' .. .. .. .. .. .. 529 0 0 Trounson Kauri Park : Charges in connection with improvement, maintenance, and protection .. .. .. .. 1,455 0 0 Waitangi Endowment: Tree-planting, &c. .. .. .. 1,277 0 0 £3,915 0 0 The total expenditure to date since 1904 is £276,113, including £186,868 spent on the acquisition of land. APPENDIX B Kapiti Island During the year a radio telephone was installed on the island. This is a valuable amenity and is of considerable benefit to the Caretaker, separated, as he is, from the mainland. Due to the general shortage of wire, the fences are not all in first-class repair, but are serving their purpose. Temporary repairs are being made whenever possible. A trapper was engaged for a period of three months, during which period 543 opossums and 103 rats were trapped. Compared with a similar area on the mainland, the number of opossums trapped were relatively few ; this is borne out by observation. Signs of defoliation are difficult to find, although scratching and barking can be observed. It is considered that at the present time the opossums are not causing any serious damage ; nevertheless, the policy to reduce their numbers must remain. Rats are a more real menace to bird-life, but from observation they are more concentrated around the buildings and along the seashore. The climatic conditions on the island are almost ideal for encouraging growth, and with the absence of grazing animals the bush is rapidly encroaching on areas which until comparatively recently were clear. Manuka covers large areas of the steep faces, and this is diminishing, to be replaced by coastal forest. An encouraging sign is the number of young hinau, rewarewa, fuschia, and titoki growing up along the coastal area as well as in the upper forest. Rata, miro, and matai are also regenerating well. A feature of this year has been the excellent flowering season, with its consequent heavy crops of berries for the birds. A number of native trees kindly donated by Mr. Morris Jones were planted. From observations there is an increase in the bird-life on the island in some directions. During the winter of 1946 two kakas came down to the Caretaker's residence to be fed. Last winter five came down, whilst when moving about in the upper forests kakas can be heard in all directions. The number of young tuis and bell-birds seen this year is much greater than last. Fantails, wax-eyes, whiteheads, and parrakeets are also numerous. Kiwis are often heard at night. In this connection, one of the fishermen who has been operating in this locality for over twenty years reports hearing kiwis much more frequently. Wekas are plentiful everywhere. The North Island robin is very common, whilst grey ducks continue to nest in the swamps. Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing (078 copies), £l5 10s. By Authority: E. V. Paul, Government Printer, Wellington—l94B

Price 6d.~\

6