26

a—l3b

tourists even now. I know Mr. Gray well. He is an independent gentleman, who bought the bush for the sole purpose of preventing its destruction ;soit is safe in his hands at present. He told me he had asked your predecessor to instruct Boss to prevent any one destroying it, and this had been promised. Perhaps you would draw Mr. Donne's attention to the matter if Boss has passed to his Department. Pukaki Island. —The small freehold section of 20 or 30 acres on this island should be acquired by the Government, and the whole island planted. There is some scrub and five or six large birch-trees on the island —I believe on the freehold. Formerly there was quite a small forest on the freehold, which has nearly all been cut for firewood or posts. It is much to be regretted it was not protected, and what is left should be acquired now. Waimate, or Kelcey's Bush. —This 600 acres, more or less, has been offered to the Government, and should, I think, be acquired. It covers the future water-supply of Waimate, which will probably dry up considerably when it is cut, and it was a very favourite resort for picnic parties from Waimate and the surrounding district. If it is to be purchased at all it should be done immediately, as very extensive firewood-cutting and general clearing are being done in it. Waimate, Mr. Francis's Bush. —Mr. Francis holds about 15 acres of pine forest close to Waimate, the only bit of the outer Waimate bush left. He is not likely to want to part with it, as it is such an ornament to his property; but I think there will be no harm in asking him to place it under offer to the Government should he ever contemplate parting with it. Forest Reserve, Hook River.—The purchase of Sections 18311, 18312, 18313, and 17921, part 20913 above road, and 35831, in all about 137 acres, would add greatly to the value of the 285-acre forest reserve, as it would give good access and command of all the bush at the head of the Hook River : it would also provide better access to Eun 48 than there is in any other direction. The roads north of and adjoining 20913 and the one running through the north-east corner of 18311 are both well-formed, good driving-roads. This purchase would give the public a nice camping-ground, and I think it would not cost very much.

Gazetted Reserves for Preservation of Native Forests, Etc. (Class A.)

section. District. Block. Area. Purpose. Date of Reservation. 3111 Mount Thomas ... V., VI., IX., X., xr. XII., XV , XVI. i IX., XIII. i VI. T I XII.. XVI. VIII. ) VIII. III.. IV., \ J IL.. VIII., XI. IX., XIII. III., IV., VIII. II., III., IV., VII. VIII. I., II., III. V.,VI.,VII.,VIII. I., II. I IV, VIII. , II., III. I X., XL, XIV.,!XV. ) I., V. IX , XIII. XII.. XV., XVI.) III., IV. IX. ) XVI. 1 XIII. T t V.. VI.. IX. X., XL, XIV. XV., XVI. i IX., XIII. I II., V., VI. 7,200 K. P. 0 0 Growth and preservation of timber July 26, 1881. 3 i 15 3116 3117 I Upper Ashley ... 1 Mount Thomas... Kowai (Alford Spaxton j Somers [Huu ... Hutt ... Alford ... 6,000 432 5,735 0 0 0 0 0 0 Ditto II II II 3118 3119 1,500 8,750 0 0 0 0 ii • • • 3120 3121 3)22 3064 3262 3263 Kowai... 2,560 3,842 1,700 595 6,000 7,500 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Pigeon Bay Katiinii Dee. a" 1895. Aug. 13, 1898. State ioreso 3264 i Noble (Katrine (Esk ... ■(Katrine 1,100 0 0 if if 3265 10,000 0 0 n 3266 3267 I. Okuku 2,000 800 0 0 0 0 3268 (Esk ... -j Upper Ashley ... (Okuku Esk ... Okuku Upper Ashley ... Mount Thomas... 10,000 0 0 It 3269 1,500 0 0 I! 3270 3271 Grey ... Mount Thomas ... I Upper Ashley ... ( Mount Thomas... Upper Ashley ... 2,400 450 0 0 0 0 a II a II 3272 7,600 0 0 a II 3273 3,300 0 0 Carried forward 90,964 0 0