3

c.—e

emnnnn ?°T 7 Preservat ! on Act > 1903 , consolidated in the Act of 1908, provided a total sum of £100,000 tor the purposes of the Act. Each year a certain portion of this amount is appropriated bv Parliament and authorized for expenditure. It will therefore be seen that a balance of £27,136 remains a 7o 1 1 a ; oL ' e a PP ro P rlatlonB tmder the Scenery Preservation Act. As already stated, an area of 214,395 acres is reserved under the Act. These lands require periodical inspection, eradication of noxious weeds, fencing, and otherwise attending to, and the annual cost of maintenance and administration is a constant charge upon the vote. General Remarks. Since the passing of the Scenery Preservation Act, 1903, which authorized the acquisition of land tor scenic purposes, although much still remains to be accomplished to complete the reservation of the famous scenery of the Dominion, still it is most encouraging to note that all classes of the community realize the importance of its preservation and the benefits to be derived both from an sesthetic and utilitarian point of view, for it must never be overlooked that farming operations depend to a great extent upon the adequate supply of water in the streams, that the preservation of the headwaters or streams and.nvers under forest is a most considerable factor in their maintenance, whilst the benefit to the climate is well known. The reserves have been administered in an economical manner, and the valuable heritage secured for the present and future inhabitants of New Zealand is paralleled in very few countries, and surpassed in none. Appendices. Attached to this report are the following appendices :— A. Schedule of reserves made during the year, accompanied by a statement of accounts. B. Report of the Inspector of Scenic Reserves. Report of the Caretaker of Reserves in Queen Charlotte Sound. -#C.. Report of the Scenery Preservation Board. Report of Kennedy's Bush Scenic Board. Report of Summit Road Scenic Board. D. Report on Wellington scenic reserves.