THE NATIONAL PARK.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 264, 31 July 1908, Page 4

THE NATIONAL PARK.

i SOME INTERESTING FACTS,

' "Tho Tongariro' National Park covers an area of about 62,300 acres," says tho report of Dr. Cockayne and Mr. E. P. Tumor (Inspector of Scenic Reserves) in their report to Parliament. "Tho present boundaries consist of' the circumferences of three circles drawn iround Tongariro, Ngauruhoe, and ;Ilu.apchu. respectively, and having a radius of three miles for tho two. former, and four for Jho lrist-namcd." : -It is considered that tho aria is' inadequate and tho boundaries .inconvenient, and it is proposed by Aot of I'arliamont to increaso thpso boundaries. Olio reason is that hardly" a troo grows in tho'Reserve. Thoro should bo provision to proservo tho fauna and,flora of this part of tho Dominion.

"Tho scenery of tho park," adds tho report, "if .the, i suggested additions nro mado, ■iwill probably be pf a mbre' ; varied character than any other ; equal area of land in tho Dominion. ; ' On - tho summit of lluapehu, occupying its ancient orator, is a glacier as romarkablo in its Way'as any in tho world. This contains in its bosom a smair lake 1 of water, - warm at times, at others more or 'loss cold, clear also at/one time' or somo.titnds :turbid, wln'lo'on'its surfacft frequently .float siilall icebergs', broken off from tho 200 ft. ofperpendicular cliff bounding- part of its margin. Ngauruhoe, the highest of tho .active volcanoes, is an easy excursion front • the Ruapchu hut, and tho climber is rewarded not' merely with/a most extensive view, but stands on tho rim of tho crator, a mud volcano in its centre, and a strong jet of steam blowing with a loud noiso from its hidden rccessos. . "Between Ngauruhoe mid Ruapohu is a caddlo some 4000 ft. in altitude leading to tho west, and hero aro two interesting cratorlakcs called 'Ngii' Puna a Taina. Tongariro contains two active craters, and soveral hot springs containing,various kinds of water, and probably of much importance from their curativo properties. Leaving aside tho actual volcanoes, thoro aro the aii'd collection of shrubs, tho vast deserts, sublimo and weird, tho • liver gorges full of forest and of groat depth— true canons', indeed. Thoro' aro rivers, too, such aB the Ohincpango and Waihohonu, which 'suddenly; issuo from tho solid rock, widening out into quiet pools, tho haunts of wild duck, or dash at oiico over their stony beds like truo alpino torrents."-' t 1 .' A visitor now can. leave AVellington at about 8 a.m. and arrive at-the ' Mountain Houso by 12 or 1 p.iii. on tho following day. From this centre all tho volcanoes can bo attacked.; A long day will enable Riiapehu to bo-ascended and tho orater-lako visited; five hours, or rather more, will suflico for Ngauruhoo ; and, finally, by a track now being formed, tho wholo Tongariro Rango can bo crossed to tho hut below Ketetahi in six or eight hours, tho Red Crater and Bl,uo and Green Lakes being visitod en route. Ketetahi also can bo reached from the Hot Lakes -via Tokaanu, but the distanco is much greater. Shorter routes 'will be availablo with tho opening of tho Main Trunk Lino. It is suggested that a caretaker, who would be ex officio a constable, bo appointed. Such a man might reside at tho lluapehu Mountain House, an oxtra room or two being provided.. • .' ■ t "A most important and interesting feature of tho park," concludes tho report, '-'aro tho hot springs- at Ketetahi, on Tongariro. Tlioy still, however, belong to tho Natives. Their waters differ considerably in character. Jhey aro considered by the Natives as remedies for various ' diseases. Being situated at moro than 4000 ft. altitude, tho climato would also be of distinct value l'or many complaints. At present tho bathing accommodation is of tho most primitive kind: a liolo in tho creek is dammed up, and in this tho bather sits in tho mud."