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Auckland Land .District. —Only one reserve of 36 acres was set aside. It comprises land •covered with native bush at the mouth of the Awaroa Creek, and will help to preserve the beautiful scenery on the shores of the Kawhia Harbour. Hawke's Bay Land District. —The only reservation effected during the year was an area of 49 acres in the Motu Village. The control of this land has been vested in the Motu Scenic Board, which controls the adjoining domain ; and, as the area reserved is now a compact block entirely bounded by a road and partly surrounded by the Motu River, it should be well preserved from destruction. Taranaki Land District. —An area of 10 acres in the Huatolri Settlement, on the outskirts of New Plymouth, formerly known as Saxton's Bush, was acquired and set apart. Great interest in this reserve is being taken by the residents, and a local Scenic Board is being appointed to control . the administration. It is probable that an adjoining area may be added to the present reserve. Wellington Land District.— Sevan areas of land, formerly in the Wanganui Trust Domain, and bordering the river a little south of Taumarunui, were set apart. They are all covered with fine bush, and their retention in a state of nature will bo beneficial to the river and help to preserve the unique scenery of the locality. Another reserve on the Wanganui River is the Puketarata, comprising 261 acres, not far from Wanganui and situated near Hipango Park, which is a favourite pleasure resort. The reservation of this land will be much appreciated, and every care will be taken to safeguard it from destruction. The taking of Round Bush, Foxton, was formally accomplished during the year, and reserves an area of 47J acres. It was originally part of the Harbour Reserve belonging to the Foxton Harbour Board, which had to be compensated for the change of purpose. It is pleasing to narrate that the Foxton Borough Council provided the sum of £80 to assist the Government to acquire the land. Another reservation in the Wellington district was an area of 16 acres of Crown land adjoining the North Island Main Trunk Railway at Kakahi. It is covered with small kahikatea, but the land was not suitable for farming purposes. Nelson Land District. Several sections in the Bulwer Township (Pelorus Sound), aggregating 14 acres, were permanently reserved, and, being covered with native bush, arc of good scenic value. In addition an area of 222 acres of Crown land in the Waitapu district, near Takaka, was proclaimed for scenic purposes. The land is close to Rawhiti Cave, and is one of the beauty-spots of the district, being frequently visited during the year. It comprises a series of limestone bluffs on the western face, and is covered with native bush —pines of all kinds, pungas, and shrubs. Weslland Land District. —Three adjoining areas on the old Marsden Road, near Greymouth, were purchased from the owners and taken for scenic purposes. The land is covered with beautiful native bush, and the reserve is much appreciated by the residents and visitors to the district. Southland Land District.— -An area of 100 acres on Stewart Island, adjoining Glory Cove, was set apart. It was of little value for farming purposes, but during the tourist season it is a favourite resort for picnickers. Present Position. In addition to the above, 172 reserves aggregating 49,562 acres that had been permanently set apart under the Land Act, 1892, prior to the passing of the Scenery Preservation Act, were brought under the administration of the latter statute, and can now be controlled in a better manner than previously. Deducting 51 acres of reservations that have been revoked during the year, the scenic reserves of the Dominion now amount to 713, aggregating 366,483 acres. Lake Oicataina. In last year's report reference was made to the generous offer by the Ngati Tetakainga and Ngati Tarawhi Tribes to cede to the Crown certain areas around the shores of Lake Okataina. The necessary legislation to give effect to the proposal was embodied in section 20 of the Native Land Amendment and Native Land Claims Adjustment Act, 1921-22, and arrangements have been made for the necessary survey, which will be carried out in accordance with the wishes of the owners. This beautiful lake, with its bush-clad slopes, will form a magnificent addition to the scenic attractions of the Dominion, and as a permanent reserve under the Scenery Preservation Act will bo enjoyed by the people of New Zealand, both Native and European, for all time. Waione Block. The legislation dealing with the offer made by the Ngati Rongomai Tribe to donate a further bush-clad area along the road from Lake Rotoiti to Lake Okataina has been prepared for consideration this session. The area referr.ed to is of great importance from a scenic point of view, as it contains some of the finest bush in the district. The action of the Native owners will bo much appreciated by the public. Trounson Kauki Forest, Kaihu. An area of 907 acres 3 roods was acquired from Mr. James Trounson by purchase. It comprised a block of valuable kauri forest situated in Block XI, Waipoua Survey District, alongside the Wairna River, Kaihu Valley. Section 21 of the Finance Act, 1921-22, authorized the payment of the purchase price out of the scenery-preservation vote. The land adjoins the Kauri Park, Kaihu, of 60 acres, which had previously been reserved under the Scenery Preservation Act.

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