TONGARIRO PARK

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 90, 16 April 1923, Page 4

TONGARIRO PARK

AUCKLAND'S OFFER.

At the second meeting of the Tongariro National Park Board, held at Waimarino on' Thursday (states an official report), an important communication was made by Mr. J. H. Gunson, Mayor of Auckland, who ; stated that the Auckland City Council had decided to donate the sum of £1000 towards the general purposes of the Tongariro National Park, provided ■ thajj, the Wellington City Corporation provided a similar sum. Mr. Gunson suggested that many local bodies in - the two provinces might well consider the propriety of making contributions towards the general fund, and that the Government should be asked to sulsidise all such contributions on a £ for £ basis.

It was also indicated from other source* that there; was a likelihood of the board's receiving very considerable donations in the future.

The board decided to forward a letter of appreciation to the Auckland City Council.

Majority and minority reports by subCommittees set up ,in connection with the erection of a. hostel were considered, but the matter was deferred.

It was decided that the beet site for .the caretaker's cottage would be #t the junction of the Tokaanu and Whakapapa roads. Correspondence was received regarding blueberry and whortleberry seeds, and the chairman advised the board that he had been informed by the Director-General of Agriculture that neither of these berries was likely to Become a nuisance.

A letter was received from the secretary, Wanganui Chamber of Commerce, asking that the planting' of heather be discontinued. It was decided to plant within a restricted area the. seed now on hand, and to discuss the further-plant-ing of heather when the necessity arose. The board acknowledged the receipt of a cheque for £1000 from the trustees of the estate of the late R. C. Bruce. It was the desire of the trustees that the money be expended in forming a road towards the foot of Mount Ruapehu. The board decided that the road should be called the "Bruce road." and that early steps should be taken to form it-

A letter was received from the Ohakune Chamber of Commerce asEng that an area of bush land adjoining the Ohakune Railway Station be included in the Park. Action had already been, taken in this connection, and preparations for proclamation of the land are now in progress. The board approved of the following fees:—Hut fees, 2s 6d per person per night; camps, tent fees, £1 per week each; guiding fees, one person £1, two pewons £1 10b, extra person 7s 6d.