7 6 
"The land is a series of rises and fiats, the latter being 
patched a great deal with small swamps. The water 
collects in these flats and works its way out in small 
streamlets until it strikes the next flat where it disappears 
and again works its way out, and so on down ; but as 
far as I could see, none of the water went much below 
Puaa Trig. Station (marked on plan). 
"You will notice running through lots 7 and 8, two 
small streams ; there are a few more scattered over the 
lots, but as it was impossible to make the lots conform 
to the stream lines, I just located the two main ones. 
"The streams, as a rule, have quite a little standing 
water in them, but very little running water. 
"In lot 6, I have reserved a 0.25 acre piece. There are 
two water holes which seem to be connected by an under- 
ground channel ; from information gathered from a 
ranchman it seems the water holes never go dry, and dur- 
ing the last dry season it was used a great deal. 
"Water undoubtedly could be developed at Waiaha, to 
what extent I could not say, and ff such is the Govern- 
ment's intention, it would be advisable to fence in and set 
aside Waiaha as a water reserve, for if the lots are 
opened up, and cattle let run on them, the forest will 
begin to go and with the forest will go the water." 
In view of the facts above set forth and also because of the 
example to the owners of other springs, I believe that the Gov- 
ernment should set apart the remaining Waiaha lots as a reserva- 
tion. 
While the main object of the forest reserve system is to protect 
the sources of water, it is somewhat of a departure to create small 
reserves detached from the main body of the forest. But in view 
of the problems that at once arise in regard to care and adminis- 
tration it would appear that the most efficient way of handling 
such areas under the organization of the Territory, would be as 
forest reserves. 
I therefore recommend that the Waiaha Lots Nos. 6 to 10 be 
reserved and set apart as the Waiaha Spring Forest Reserve. 
[Here follows in the original a technical description of the area, 
furnished by the Government Survey Office as C. S. F. No. 1855. 
It is here omitted as it also forms a part of the official proclama- 
tion that will later be published in full.] 
Very respectfully, 
Ralph S. Hosmer, 
Superintendent of Forestry. 
