NATIONAL PARK

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 90, 13 October 1922, Page 8

NATIONAL PARK

TONGARIRO AREA EXTENDED

A BOARD OP CONTROL,

A Bill providing for the extension of Tongariro National Park and the setting up of a Board of Control was introduced into the House of Represeatatives last night and read a first time. Many years ago the Maoris, through the late Te Heuheu Tukino, gave a large block of land to be the riueleus of a, national park 1 for New Zealand. The area of the park is at present about 80,000 acres, but this W increased by the Bill to over 160,000 acres, tho addition comprising Crown land used for defence purposes, but not now required. Tho Board of Control under the Bill is to consist of the paramount chief of the Ngatituwharetoa tribe; the mayors of Auckland and Wellington, the warden of tho park, tho Under-Secretary of Lands, the general manager of the Tourist Department, the Secretary of the Stato Forest Service, and not more than four other persons to bo appointed by the Government. The term of office of each of the members appointed by the Government is to be three years, or until the appointment of his successor, and he is to be eligible for roappointment. The chairman of the Board is to be such members as the Government appoints. Provision is made for the payment of reasonable expenses to members of the Board. The Board lias power to appoint the necessary officers, and it is to have the powers of a domain board.

Offences, within • the park are defined as the lighting of any fire, tho wilful breaking of any fence, building or erection, the damaging of trees or other property, the shooting at any bird or animal or the injuring of any bird or animal. The Board, with the consent of the Government^, may set apart leas-ing-areas within the park, and may grant leases approved by the Minister or issue licenses for the winning of stone or gravel, and for the construction of tramways and roads, for the removal of the stone or gravel. It is also contemplated that the Board may provide accommodation for tourist traffic, and may let the accommodation provided. For the purpose of making improvements the^ board may, with the approval of the Minister, borrow moneys, and trustee* msy invest in the .board, a securities,.