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1942, NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND SURVEY. SCENERY PRESERVATION. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1942, TOGETHER WITH STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURE AND SCHEDULE OF LANDS ACQUIRED AND RESERVED DURING THE YEAR UNDER THE SCENERY PRESERVATION ACT.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly pursuant to Section 17 of the Scenery Preservation Act, 1908.

Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, 18th August, 1942. Sin, — I have the honour to submit herewith a report on scenery preservation for the year ended 31st March, 1942. I have, &c., R. G. Macmoeban, Under-Secretary for Lands. The Hon. the Minister in Charge of Scenery Preservation, Wellington.

REPORT.

The past year was one of but limited activity so far as the acquisition and reservation of land for scenic purposes was concerned. However, eight areas totalling some 1,890 acres were set apart as scenic reserves in various parts of the Dominion. The reservations made included a fine block of 621 acres of native bush overlooking the newly-formed highway from Tongaporutu to Ohura, another of 447 acres near the headwaters of the Waikanae River, and a third of 708 acres around Silvan Lake in the Dart District of Otago. Two small areas adjacent to Kennedy's Bush on the Summit Road were also reserved during the year, one of which was very generously donated by the Hon. Sir R. Heaton Rhodes. The purchase of a few areas was completed during the year, but the Proclamations bringing the lands concerned under the provisions of the Scenery Preservation Act have not yet been issued. One acquisition was that of an area of 187 acres adjoining the well-known Kiripaka Reserve near Whangarei. The North Auckland Forest Society took active steps in the purchase of this area, and succeeded in raising the sum of £400 towards the total cost of £650. The remaining £250 was contributed by the Department. Another interesting purchase was that of an area of some 750 acres on the southern slopes of Pirongia Mountain. In this case the Hamilton and Te Awamutu Borough Councils and the Waipa, Raglan, and Otorohanga County Councils co-operated with the Department and found the greater portion of the purchase-price of £1,750. A little less than half the area is in bush. This portion is to be made scenic reserve, while the remainder is to be held by the Te Awamutu Borough Council in trust for itself and the other local bodies for the purposes of afforestation and water conservation, and as a scenic reserve.