OUR NATIONAL PARK.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 81, 5 April 1923, Page 7

OUR NATIONAL PARK.

IMPROVEMENTS OF THE AREA. SPLENDID FISIIIXG IX THE STREAMS. MEETING OF BOARD NEXT WLL'K. The second meeting of the Tongariro National Park Board, which was constituted under an Act of Parliament last year, will be held at tiie park on Wednesday next, the llth inst. Important questions regarding the projected development of the park will bo under consideration, among them being the question of selecting n suitable sTtc for the proposed hostel, mill Urn development of Ihe park urea with the object of making ii more readily accessible, particularly tho three mountains ofltuapehu, Tongariro. and Xgauniimi'. The park, which originally covered an area of OU.OOn acres, was under the Act. of last year more than doubled in size. ~nd is now 14.-1.000 acres in area. In the course of a talk this morning about his ward. Mr. j. Cullen. the warden of the Xational Park and a member of the Board, remarked that apart from its attraction lo ihe mountain climber and nature lovers, the park was in a good way towards becoming an angler's paradise. The vcar before last 100.000 (rout fry were put in tho streams of tlie park,'and 200.000 last season, while .in previous occasions for the last ten years from 50.000 to 100.000-fry had been placed. The fish have thriven well, and prove very strong lighters in the mountain streams, and this season splendid trout, up to fljllw have been caught within three miles of the base of Rutipeliu. In short, the streams are now well stocked with fine conditioned fish. "To visit tlie park at the present time." added Mr. Citlien. "is a trip worth while, if only to sec the bonny purple heather, which is a picture, while the park area also contains magnificent clomps of native bush, which nt one time probably covered nearly the whole region. Visitors will now he in less danger of losine; their wav up there. as I have eot sign-posts well scattered fllontr the streams and tracks, arii ing the names of the streams and showing the visitor nil the principal turn-off places. Mr. C. E. Matthews. Director-General of Prisons, very kindly provided the mnterinl nntl labour for this work, ■which will no doubt be appreciated by those who visit our Xational Park." The Mayor. Mr. .1. If. (liinso,,. and Mr. Cullon, will both leave for Waimnrino at the end of the week to attend the meeting of the Board.