C.—6.
Whangarei Borough Council to control the Coronation Scenic Reserve; the Ship Cove Reserve Board to control the historic Ship Cove Reserve; the Orari Gorge Scenic Board to control the Orari Gorge Reserve ; and the Hundalee Scenic Reserves Board to control the Hundalee Reserves. Additional areas were placed under the control of the Ohakune Lakes and Riwaka Scenic Boards. Appointments were made to fill vacancies on the Mount Balloon Hut and Kirk's Bush Scenic Boards, and vacancies were filled on the Waima Scenic and Historic Board, to which body an additional appointment was also made. Twenty gentlemen were appointed as honorary Inspectors of Scenic Reserves throughout the Dominion. The ladies and gentlemen holding this position have given the Department valuable assistance during the year, and their services have been greatly appreciated. An Inspector of Reserves has been appointed for the North Island, and the field staff of the Department generally have made every effort to exercise as close a supervision as possible over all scenic reserves. Condition of Reserves, etc. Reports from the various districts again show that the scenic reserves throughout the Dominion are in general being maintained in a satisfactory condition. More attention is now being paid to fencing, and provided that the Department's allocation of funds for scenic purposes is not unduly restricted, as has unfortunately too often been the case in past years, it is proposed to proceed with a steady programme of fencing-work. It is particularly pleasing to record the increasing interest that is being taken by various organizations, and, indeed, by the public generally, in scenery-preservation matters. The people of New Zealand are at last becoming convinced that in its bush areas the country possesses a wonderful asset that should be jealously treasured and preserved, and this public interest will be of immense benefit to the Department in carrying on its work of safeguarding existing reserves and adding new areas to the Dominion's scenic endowment. A few fires occurred during the year, although most districts fortunately escaped fire damage. In February an extensive fire swept over some 2,500 acres of the Gouland Downs Reserve. The burnt area, however, comprised only a few small patches of bush, and it is expected that the damaged portions will regenerate themselves in a satisfactory manner. A settler's fire travelled into some second growth on the Puroa Point Reserve, in Queen Charlotte Sound, burning some 20 acres of land originally cleared but gradually working back into scrub and light bush. The burnt area is on the shady side, and should soon recover if further fires can be kept out. Settler's fires were also responsible for some minor damage along the edges of the Otoromiro Reserve, Pelorus Sound, and the Whenuanui Reserve in the Grove Arm, Queen Charlotte Sound, but fortunately very little damage was done to the standing bush, the fires being confined to the high fern and scrub growth along the boundaries. General. The popularity of the Trounson Kauri Park has been well maintained, an increased number of visitors availing themselves of the facilities provided for viewing the splendid specimens of kauri and other native trees growing in this magnificent reserve. The caretaker has carried out a considerable amount of general maintenance-work, and the motor-camp has been improved and additional facilities provided. The major improvement during the year was the provision of a permanent watersupply, which the camp has lacked in the past. Approved methods have been adopted in promoting regeneration of kauri, and good results are being obtained. A small nursery has been established for the growing of kauri from seed, and during the season about eight hundred young trees were planted out on the northern portion of the forest. Owing to the dryness of the summer season a number of fires occurred on adjacent lands and the caretaker had to exercise increasing vigilance to prevent fires from entering the reserve. The Cape Kidnapper Bird Sanctuary retains its popularity with the public. It is considered by the honourary Rangers that a record number of birds nested on the reserve during the season. The railway-works on the Kaikoura Coast are marring for the time being some of its picturesque features, but the officers in charge are taking every possible precaution, and as soon as the formation work is finished it is expected that regeneration will take place fairly quickly and this beautiful stretch of coast regain all its old charm for the tourist and lover of nature. To compensate for the unavoidable loss of trees removed in railway and road-formation operations the Public Works Department is planting open sections along the coast in native seedlings. The colony of white rabbits on the Inner Chetwode Island still persists, although some 30 animals were killed during the year. Some 76 deer, 127 wild pigs, and 36 goats were destroyed on various areas, mostly on the Tennyson Inlet and Pelorus Reserves. Native-bird life in the reserves seems to be on the increase. A track some 45 chains in length was constructed during the year to give access to Lake Mahinapua from the Main South Road, and at Lake Kanieri various improvements were effected by the controlling Board. A special fire district has been established to minimize the risk of fires in the Papatowai Reserves, on the South Otago coast, and an honourary Ranger has been appointed. Native-bird life in that district continues to flourish, the extensive reserves in the locality forming good sanctuaries for the birds. The Ranger on Stewart Island reports that during the year he followed his usual practice of paying periodic visits to various parts of the reserves and sanctuaries, and that so far as he can ascertain the position with respect to the native birds is satisfactory. The Department of Internal Affairs had a deer-destruction party operating on the island for some months.
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