THE NATIONAL PARK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18249, 16 November 1922, Page 4

THE NATIONAL PARK.

PLAYGROUND FOR PEOPLE.

RIVAL TO MOUNT COOK.

TUKINO'S MUNIFICENT GIFT. (by pouritana.) No. I.

Steadily are the scenic beauties, tho holiday-making and health-giving advantages "of the Tongariro National Parkthat magnificent national reserve along tho North Island Main Trunk line—becoming known. It is now not an uncommon thing to >seo collections of snapshots descriptive of tho beautiful snow-covered mountains of Tongariro being handed round by those who have tasted tho pleasures and delights which tho park gives, and thus each year does the list of visitors and enthusiasts increase. Now that the Tourist Department has added to tho present accommodation for .visitors, workworn, and tired people from the New Zealand cities and sun-scorched Australians, looking for health and a breeze from the snow cjad mountain tops, are commencing to flock to Tongariro; and Mount Cook, which for many years has been starred as a chief attraction in New Zealand, will have a formidable rival.

It may not bo wearisome to repeat briefly how Now Zealand obtained the National Park. There are 62,300 acres in tho area, which embraces within its soopo, besides Tongariro, the majestic Ruapehu nnr Ngaruhoe Mountains. New Zealand obtained the areas as a present from the lato Te Heuhou Ttikino (father of the Hon. To Hcuheu Tukino, M.L.Ch who was tho ruling chief, of tho Ngatituwharctoa tribe, of Tokaanu. Tho munificent gift was made in 1887, with two stipulations. Tho first stipulation was that tho area uhould remain a national park for tho people for all time, and tho second was that his son should bo cmo of the controlling trustees for life. In tho New Zealand statutes for 1894 there is an Act permanently setting asido the 62,300 acres as a park for the people, and in tho Statutes for 1914 an Act is included vesting the park in tho Government Tourist Department. That is a short but interesting record of how tho peoplo became possessed of this valuable asset. A visit to the p.»rk will quickly convince even tho vcry-hard-to-plcasc that the word "valuable" can be placed on tho gift, and tho name of Iho fine old native donor shoui-i some day be known outßido of the Maori records. Mainly as a result of an elaborate exploration by Mr. E. Phillips-Turner and Dr., Cockayne, tho Waimarino military reserve, an area of 27,486 acres, and a State forest of 69,760 acres havo been added to tho Tongariro Park. The extended boundaries include collections oi some of the finest virgin bush, alpine flora, mineral hot springs, ice glaciers, mountain lakes, and streams not found in other parts of New Zealand. Former Lack of Access.

.access is a chief requirement for U1 lands, whether they be for farming or residential purposes, or for the recreation of the people. The Tongariro National Park has for years been kept back from the people because of lack of access. The old chief, To Heuheu Tukino, must have had a prospective eyo when in 1887 he donated tho park to tho people. There was then practically no means of reaching tho but Te Heuheu's vision saw tho day when a Main Trunk line would skirt tho area and provide facilities to the people to see and appreciate his gift, fho lino camo in 1908, but not the. opening of the park. The Government, with many claims to meet out of the Public Works Fund for roads to open lands for settlement, did not think it fitting to devote a little to provide access to the park, and although the Main Trunk express trains have, since th9y started running, carried stray parties of visitors, it was not until the last three or four years that Tongariro's fame and popularity have grown. The park is but naif a day's railway journey from either Wellington or' Auckland!. That makes it within easy reach of the people of the two largest cities of tho Dominion. When one speaks of ski-ing older lands far beyond New Zealand come into the mind, but nevertheless ski-ing in this country is a reality. The Dominion can even boast of a ski-ing club, and this club was not long ago formed. The ardent members of the club operate at Mount Ruapehu, within the Tongariro Park area, and tho club is flourishing. Huts have been provided at suiiable places for visitors; the track and road access have been improved, and now that the attractions are beginning to be recognised it should not be long before a large accommodation house makes its appearance.

A Veritable Haven. In these days when business competition is so keen, compelling a nervo strain to be maintained at almost breaking point, there is no finer rest care than to hie oneself to the quiet snow-cloaked mountain slopes and ridges. The Tongariro National Park is a haven for all who work hard, mentally or physically—a haven alike for the man or woman who has much money to spend, and for those who have just enough to afford a peaceful holiday for a few days or a week or two. Here one is not required to dress elaborately; old suitsi that have been earmarked for the garden will serve with a pair of heavy boots as an essential. The only necessity in one's equipment is food a-plenty. Those unfortunate city dwellers who, by reason of heavy work and consequent fatigue, can but peevishly pick over their meals, spend only one night in Tongariro with these symptoms. During the days that follow the soothing;'revigorating effects of the climate begin to tell and bully beef and biscuits—in fact, anything eatable that happens along is greedily relished. A violent change from a certain mode of living sometimes csirries with it an unpleasant reaction, but in a change to mountain air and scenery the constitution benefits all the time and very often the effects last on return to the old life. In the park the Tourist Department has a field to which it is worthily devoting some attention. The Hon. W, Nosworthy is taking more than a supervising interest in this branch of the State departments which he controls, and when the Minister has time after the session to pay the park a visit there is no doubt the splendid work which has been started will receive a greater ministerial fillip.