a—6.

2

Day's Bay Bush, Wellington. For.some years past there has been a widespread desire that the native forest on the hills at the back of Day's Bay, in the Wellington Harbour, should be acquired and preserved for all time, the area in question comprising 620 acres, and, as a result of the public campaign, donations from private citizens, supplemented by grants from the Wellington City Council and other local bodies, enabled the scenic areas, as well as the pleasure-grounds adjoining, to be acquired, the Government promising a subsidy of £4,000 out of the total purchase-money of £14,500, of which, as will be seen, the Wellington citizens and local bodies raised £10,500. A special report of the forest area appears in Appendix D of this report. Mokau River Reservation. The Mangoira Nos. 1 and 2 Blocks, comprising a total of 2,950 acres, had been acquired in a previous year under the Scenery Preservation Act, and, as will be seen by reference to the statement of accounts, compensation to the amount of £7,613 was awarded by the Court. Of the total area, the scenic reserves only amounted to 429 acres, but in order to acquire the reserves as economically as possible advantage was taken of the provisions of section 7 of the Scenery Preservation Act, 1908, which authorized the taking of the residue of the land comprised in an existing title ; and the subdivision of the balance of the blocks (about 2,521 acres) is now in progress, so that this latter area may be disposed of under settlement conditions, and the proceeds credited to the scenerypreservation vote. The result will be that most of the compensation awarded will thus be recouped, and the scenic reserves acquired at a smaller amount than would have been the case had they been taken in the usual manner, whilst settlement land is made available to the public. Donations of Land. During the year the Hon. R. H. Rhodes presented an area of 6 acres 3 roods 32 perches (part of R.S. 1403, Cass Peak) to the King as a scenic reserve ; Mr. Allan presented 1 acre and 28 perches (parts of R.S. 1403 and 33748); whilst Mr. R. M. D. Morten donated 26 acres 3 roods 28 perches (parts of R.S. 1183, 33950, arid 33951, Ahuriri Bush). These generous donations are much appreciated, and help to preserve the best portions of the scenery adjoining Summit Road, near Christchurch. Several residents in the valley of the Turakina River have presented to the Government a number of areas of great scenic beauty along the Valley Road. The thanks of the community are due to these gentlemen for their public spirit, notably "Mr. T. A. Duncan, Who gave nearly 160 acres in sixteen portions, and also to Messrs. R. Lilburn, W. K. Morton, W. Duncan, and Leopold Cox, whofaoilitated exchanges and adjustments enabling beautiful spots to be permanently secured for the public benefit. Expenditure. The gross expenditure during the year amounted to £13,011, but as £2 was credited in reduction of previous year's expenditure, the net expenditure was £13,009 13s. lid., as set forth in the statement of accounts appearing in Appendix A. if§ Every care has been taken to expend the funds of the scenery-preservation vote to the utmost advantage, and no land has been recommended for reservation until it has been carefully viewed and reported upon, and every precaution taken that the interests of settlement are not detrimentally affected, but that the land is well worthy of preservation on account of its picturesqueness, and calculated to remain a permanent asset to the scenic beauty of the Dominion.

Comparison of Expenditure.

Year. Compensation Fencing and for Land. Maintenance. Surveys, Valuations, &c. Board's Expenses. Salaries. Total. £ 216 3,336 7,856 4,286 3,813 1,688 1,066 2,619 12,997 10,467 £ Nil £ 52 527 801 555 540 2,603 1,643 2,237 2,697 1,547 £ ■1,822 1,221 185 86 24 Nil 11 22 6 3 £ * £ 2,090 5,084 9,146 5,484 5,765 5,775 3,730 5,938 16,843 13,009 1904-5 .. 1905-6 .. 1906-7 .. 1907-8 .. 1908-9 .. 1909-10 .. 1910-11 .. 1911-12 .. 1912-13 .. 1913-14 .. 304 382 1,063 1,159 685 715 798 627 * * 175 325 325 325 345 345 365 Grand ti ital . . 72,864 * Included in Board's expenses.