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reverting to second growth. The acquisition of these areas will help considerably towards the consolidation of the Kumutoto Reserves, which, of all the reserves in Queen Charlotte Sound, are probably the most popular with picnickers and visitors from all parts of the Dominion. (e) An area of 12 acres of Crown land between the railway and the sea at Waipapa Bay in South Marlborough. This reserve will be placed under the control of the Hundaiee Scenic Reserves Board. In the Nelson Land District an area of 157 acres of Crown land two miles from Upper MatakitaM and containing 100 acres of birch bush was set apart under the Act. There was already a reserve on the other side of the river at that point. Reservations in the Westland Land District comprised that of a small area at Waiho and an area of 191 acres on the Great South Road at Mount Hercules. The latter area is a fairly steep slope in dense mixed bush of great scenic beauty. Ripa Island, in Lyttelton Harbour, was set aside as an historic reserve during the year, it no longer being required for defence purposes. Control of the reserve has been vested in the Lyttelton Harbour Board. In ancient times it was the site of a fortified pa. In' more recent days it was used as a quarantine-station, and later was converted into a harbour fortress. The areas set apart throughout the Dominion during the year may be roughly classified as follows: Class of Land. Area (Acres). Crown land areas .. .. .. .. 2,174 Private land acquired by Department, assisted by Bruce trustees .. .. .. .. 1,623 Crown leasehold areas; made available in various ways 1,302 Private land acquired by Department .. .. 1,214 Gift areas .. .. .. .• • • 170 Miscellaneous areas .... .. .. 55 Total .. .. • • • • • • 6,538 The reservation over 90£ acres of scenic reserve in the Pohangina' Valley, Wellington Land District, was cancelled during the year. This reserve, together with an adjoining area of State forest and a piece of stopped road, was, by section 23 of the Reserves and other Lands Disposal Aet, 1946, declared a public domain, and control was granted to the Palmerston North City Council acting as the Pohangina Valley Domain Board. The number of scenic reservations in the Dominion is now 1,220, covering a total area of 920,760 acres. AREAS PURCHASED BUT NOT PROCLAIMED BY END OF YEAR, AND GIFTS OF SCENIC AREAS Arrangements for the purchase of several areas were made during the year, and negotiations for others are in progress. Proclamations over these areas will issue when the necessary title adjustments have been completed. A fine area of bush was given by Mr. W. A. Miller, of Eketahuna, to whom thanks are due for his public-spirited action. This area will be permanently reserved during the coming year and will be a welcome addition to the all too few reserves in the Wairarapa.

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