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Statement showing Expenditure on Scenery Preservation for the Year ended 31st March, 1948 £ s. d. Acquisition of land .. .. .. .. .. .. 654 0 0 General administration, maintenance charges, improvements, and grants to Scenic Boards ' .. .. .. .. .. .. 529 0 0 Trounson Kauri Park : Charges in connection with improvement, maintenance, and protection .. .. .. .. 1,455 0 0 Waitangi Endowment: Tree-planting, &c. .. .. .. 1,277 0 0 £3,915 0 0 The total expenditure to date since 1904 is £276,113, including £186,868 spent on the acquisition of land. APPENDIX B Kapiti Island During the year a radio telephone was installed on the island. This is a valuable amenity and is of considerable benefit to the Caretaker, separated, as he is, from the mainland. Due to the general shortage of wire, the fences are not all in first-class repair, but are serving their purpose. Temporary repairs are being made whenever possible. A trapper was engaged for a period of three months, during which period 543 opossums and 103 rats were trapped. Compared with a similar area on the mainland, the number of opossums trapped were relatively few ; this is borne out by observation. Signs of defoliation are difficult to find, although scratching and barking can be observed. It is considered that at the present time the opossums are not causing any serious damage ; nevertheless, the policy to reduce their numbers must remain. Rats are a more real menace to bird-life, but from observation they are more concentrated around the buildings and along the seashore. The climatic conditions on the island are almost ideal for encouraging growth, and with the absence of grazing animals the bush is rapidly encroaching on areas which until comparatively recently were clear. Manuka covers large areas of the steep faces, and this is diminishing, to be replaced by coastal forest. An encouraging sign is the number of young hinau, rewarewa, fuschia, and titoki growing up along the coastal area as well as in the upper forest. Rata, miro, and matai are also regenerating well. A feature of this year has been the excellent flowering season, with its consequent heavy crops of berries for the birds. A number of native trees kindly donated by Mr. Morris Jones were planted. From observations there is an increase in the bird-life on the island in some directions. During the winter of 1946 two kakas came down to the Caretaker's residence to be fed. Last winter five came down, whilst when moving about in the upper forests kakas can be heard in all directions. The number of young tuis and bell-birds seen this year is much greater than last. Fantails, wax-eyes, whiteheads, and parrakeets are also numerous. Kiwis are often heard at night. In this connection, one of the fishermen who has been operating in this locality for over twenty years reports hearing kiwis much more frequently. Wekas are plentiful everywhere. The North Island robin is very common, whilst grey ducks continue to nest in the swamps. Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing (078 copies), £l5 10s. By Authority: E. V. Paul, Government Printer, Wellington—l94B

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