TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1928 Session I, C-13

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1928. NEW ZEALAND.

TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

Sir, — Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, Ist June, 1928. I have the honour to submit to you the report of the Tongariro National Park Board, covering its operations during the year ended 31st March, 1928. I have, &c, J. B. Thompson, Chairman, Tongariro National Park Board. The Hon. A. D. McLeod, Minister of Lands.

REPORT. During the year under review 1,205 persons visited the huts at Whakapapa, and 200 visited the Ohakune Hut, making a total of 1,405 persons. These figures show a steady increase when compared with the returns of previous years. Accommodation for Visitors. —The plans of the proposed buildings for Whakapapa have been completed, but the Board hopes that it may yet be successful in securing an applicant for the franchise offered, some little time ago. If the major scheme for the erection of a hostel does not materialize, the Board will itself make a start with the building programme referred to in last year's report. Amendment to Tongariro National Park Act. —Some important amendments to the Tongariro National Park Act, 1922, were made by the passing of the Tongariro National Park Amendment Act, 1927. Section 2 of the last-mentioned Act authorizes His Excellency the Governor - General, by Proclamation, to add areas of Crown land, or scenic and other reserves adjacent to or in the vicinity of the park, to the area comprised in the park ; and also authorizes areas to be withdrawn from the park where such withdrawal is necessary to provide more suitable boundaries, or for the purpose of effecting exchanges of land. Section 3 amends the principal Act by providing that the representative of the New Zealand Institute on the Board shall be appointed by the Board of Governors of the Institute. This is in lieu of the provision in the 1922 Act that the President of the Institute (ex officio) shall be the representative of the Institute on the Board. Section 4 empowers the Board to make by-laws— (a) excluding the public from any specified part or parts of the park ; (b) prescribing the conditions on which any persons shall have access to or be excluded from the park or any part thereof ; (c) fixing charges for admission of persons to the park or any part thereof, and for the admission of horses and vehicles to the park. Section 5 authorizes the Minister of Defence to use for military purposes that portion of the park which was originally set apart for the purpose of defence training-grounds.

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Section 6 authorizes the District Land Registrar to issue, in the name of His Majesty the King, a title or titles under the Land Transfer Act, 1915, to the whole or portions of the land comprised in the park. Ohakune Track. — During the past year repairs and new works have been carried out on this track, which leads from Ohakune to the hut on the southern slopes of Ruapehu. The hut is situated on the 4,500 ft. level. The track is approximately eight miles and three-quarters in length. Crater Lake on Ruapehu. —Mr. T. A. Blyth, of Ohakune, states that a party visited this lake and reported a, slight rise in temperature from that of June last year. Charges for Accommodation. —At a meeting held in June, 1927, the Board decided to increase the charge for accommodation at the huts and for camping. The old scale was as follows : Accommodation — In huts (per person per night), 2s. ;in tent (per person per night), Is. Camping—Tent holding not more than four (per week), 7s. 6d. ; tent holding between four and eight (per week), 10s. ; tent holding more than eight (per week), £1. The new scale which has been approved and brought into force is as under : Accommodation —In huts (per person per night), 3s. ;in tent (per person per night), Is. 6d. Camping— Tent holding not more than four (per week), 10s. ; tent holding between four and eight (per week), 15s. ; tent holding more than eight (per week), £1 ss. At the January meeting of the Board the question as to the accommodation of children under seventeen years of age was discussed, and. it was decided that when a bunk is occupied the full fee be paid, but that boys or girls under seventeen years of age be charged 6d. per night if bunks are fully occupied, and that two children be considered as being equal to one adult as regards occupation of a bunk. Charges for Admission of Horses and Vehicles to the Park. —In accordance with the powers conferred on the Board by the amending Act of 1927, a by-law fixing charges for the admission of horses and. vehicles to the park was passed and adopted by resolution at a meeting held on the 21st January, 1.928. The charges are as follows : Bruce Road : For each motor-car, 2s. 6d. ; for each motor-cycle (without side-car), Is. ; for each motor-cycle (with side-car), Is. 6d. ; for each motor-lorry or bus carrying less than twenty passengers, ss. ; for each motor-lorry or bus carrying twenty passengers or more, 10s. ; for each motor-lorry (carrying goods only), ss. ; for each horse (with or without vehicle), Is. Ohakune Track —For each horse, 2s. It is hoped that the revenue received from these tolls will materially assist the Board in keeping the roadways in order. Waihohonu Hut. —During the year a floor was placed in this hut and minor repairs carried out. The work was undertaken voluntarily by members of the Ruapehu Ski Club, the materials being supplied by the Board. The thanks and appreciation of the Board are here recorded for the cordial support and services rendered on this and previous occasions by members of this club. Heather.—The Heather Committee (Messrs. W. H. Field, M.P., E. Phillips Turner, and B. C. Aston) have in company again visited the park for the purpose of continuing their observations on the growth of imported heathers within the park boundaries. Their investigations elicited no new facts, and it is anticipated that observations will require to be continued over several seasons before any definite evidence is available as to the growth of heather under different conditions. Under these circumstances no report is now submitted. Warden's Report. Mr. John Cullen, 1.5.0., warden of the park, reports as follows : — " I beg to report that I paid several visits to the National Park during the past year, and during the month of October I supervised, the liberation of 25,000 rainbow-trout fry in the Whakapapanui, Whakapapaiti, and Mahuia Streams. This fry was given by the Under-Secretary, Department of Internal Affairs, from the Tokaanu Hatchery as a free gift to the Park Board. Stocking these streams during the past fifteen years has had very good results, as several anglers have succeeded in landing fair bags of trout, some of the fish weighing over 8 lb. Two fires were started by some irresponsible persons. One, near the Moturoa Bush, was extinguished by a prison gang sent by the officer in charge, Waikune Prison. Had. this fire got well away it might have resulted in serious damage to the Moturoa Bush, which contains valuable timber. The other fire, which burned, over 2,000 acres of open tussock country, originated near the site of the old shepherd's hut, close to the Maungatepopo River and travelled as far south as near the northern base of Pukeonaki; Maori rabbiters are supposed to have caused this fire. None of the beautiful clumps of native bush were touched by it. Te and Ketetahi have been steaming very actively at times, and on one occasion the former was sending up an immense column of black steam, the activity only lasting about two hours. I see no change in the bird-life in the bush during recent years." In regard, to fire-prevention, the Board may have to consider the question of moving in the direction of having a fire district established. Ranger's Report. Mr. A. Cowling, the Ranger at Whakapapa, in his report remarks as follows :— " Volcanic Eruptions.—There has been no unusual disturbance until the 3rd February last, when Ketetahi Springs showed great activity ; steam-clouds could be seen fifteen miles distant. On the 4th March Mount Ngauruhoe showed great activity. Several loud explosions were accompanied by masses of volcanic ash, and rocks were hurled from the main crater ; these could be plainly seen by persons at the Whakapapa huts. "Winter Sports. — During the past winter season members of the Tararua, Tramping Club, Ruapehu Ski Club, and Teachers' Training College held their annual sports gathering, the whole of the Whakapapa hut accommodation being fully booked for the months of August and September.

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" Summer Parlies. —During the Christmas holidays, 1 am pleased to report, the whole of the huts were fully occupied ; also the park has attracted numbers of motor campers. " Works. —lmprovements have been made to Mangatepopo tracks. Main Ruapehu Track has been repaired in many places. Three miles has been poled, indicating route to Ruapehu ; also a new track is being formed to Taranaki. Falls. Repairs have been made to Mangatepopo huts, painting, &c. Windows have been replaced in the various huts. Flooring has been done at Waihohonu Hut by members of the Ski Club." Winter Sports and Excursions to the Park. Ruapehu Ski Club. —The Ruapehu Ski Club has supplied the following notes dealing with the visits made by members of the club to the park :— " Fifty-four members visited Whakapapa for ten days at'the end of August, and formed the most successful party since the inception of the club. For the first time in three years (owing to the adverse snow conditions) the sports were able to be held. The interprovincial relay race, competed for by teams from Auckland, Wellington, and Taranaki, was won by Auckland. For the Salt Challenge Shield, presented to the winner of the highest number of points in the men's races, turning and jumping events, Messrs. W. Salt and L. M. Lennard secured equal points. The races were held on the course selected last year, which, with a little extension in both directions and the removal of the more outstanding rooks, will be the equal of many of the best European courses. The committee of this club has already applied to your Board for permission to carry out the necessary work. The new wireless aerial erected by the Board at Whakapapa proved of great use, the party getting news and entertainment from Wellington and Auckland every night. At Christmas a, club party occupied Waihohonu Hut and installed a Hoor and table therein, the materials having been supplied by the Board. These additions make a vast difference to the comfort of the hut. Tararua Tramping Club. —The Tararua Tramping (Tub has supplied the following notes dealing with the visits made by members of the club to the park : — " Throughout the year various members of the club have visited the park at intervals, and none seem to have exhausted their interest in this national playground. The official club trip for the winter sports at Whakapapa was again fairly well patronized, about twenty-five members being in residence at times during their stay. Unfortunately, they were not favoured with the best of weather, a considerable portion of the time being marred by rain. However, the various trips to places of interest within a day's radius of the cottages were undertaken, as well as the annual pilgrimage to the Crater Lake. The sports programme was disposed of on the most suitable day available, the club ski-ing championship being annexed for the second time in succession by Mr. L. B. Cross. The wet weather experienced emphasized more than ever the necessity for the provision of suitable drying-rooms, as the attempted drying of sodden garments in front of fires in the bunk-rooms is certainly not conducive to the health of the party. Representations in this regard, and also in respect to the provision of suitable firing for the huts, have been made to the Board, which has promised its early consideration of these matters. This year we have again booked accommodation for the winter sports, and quite a number of our members are now looking forward to renewing their acquaintance with this spot of happy memories." Finances. A donation of £500 was received during the year from the trustees of the estate of the late R. C. Bruce to assist the Board in providing further accommodation for visitors at Whakapapa. This makes a total contribution of £1,650 received from the Bruce Estate for various purposes, and the grateful thanks of the Board are again recorded for this practical help towards the development of the park in the interests of the people of New Zealand. Grants and subsidies received from the Government during the year amounted to £1,970, representing a subsidy of £1,500 from the Public Works Department towards the cost of the Bruce Road, a subsidy of £200 (on account of £500) on the donation received from the Bruce Estate Trustees and the usual grant for administration purposes. The balance of the subsidy on the donation received during the year will be claimed as soon as appropriated by Parliament. The receipts derived during the year from accommodation fees, &c, were slightly in excess of that for the previous year, but no material increase in revenue from this source can be expected until further accommodation is provided. Attached hereto are statements setting out the financial position of the Board, comprising Statement of Receipts and Payments, Revenue Account, and Balance-sheet.

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ACCOUNTS. TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK BOARD. Statement op Receipts and Payments for the Year ended 31st March, 1928. Receipts. £ s. d. Payments. £ s. d. To Balance, Ist April, 1927 .. .. 2,863 9 2 By Road-construction—Bruce Road .. 1,708 7 7 Government grants and subsidies .. 1,970 0 0 Ohakune Track improvement .. 70 10 0 Donation by Bruce Estate Trustees .. 500 i) 0 Publication of handbook .. .. 451 14 9 Timber royalties .. .. .. 1,701 13 10 Horse-feed, shoeing, &o. .. .. 30 10 3 Proceeds from sale of handbook .. 35 18 0 Maintenance of telephone-line, __o. .. 6 19 Sale of lithographs .. .. .. 3 0 0 Expenditure on park equipment .. 25 II 9 Interest on Post Office Savings-bank Expenditure on tracks, drains, and deposit .. .. .. .. 38 5 1 bridges .. .. .. .. 4 14 Interest on fixed deposit, Bank of New Maintenance of buildings .. .. 40 9 11. Zealand.. .. .. .. 56 0 0 Maintenance of equipment .. .. 1 11 0 Park fees — £ s. d. Expenses of Board meetings.. .. 18 9 9 Hut accommodation fees 431 2 0 Insurance .. .. .. 12 9 4 Ohakune Hut and Track Ranger's salary .. .. .. 270 0 0 fees .. .. 23 1 0 Travelling-expenses . . .. 18 9 6 Hire of miscellaneous Secretary's honorarium .. .. 25 0 0 equipment.. .. 11 3 6' Treasurer's honorarium .. .. 12 0 0 Hire of skis .. .. 23 19 0 Printing and stationery .. .. 9 5 9 Bathhouse receipts .. 6 8 0 Postages, telegrams, __c. .. .. 13 9 6 Miscellaneous receipts .. 2 10 0 Puol, oil, &c. .. .. .. 44 5 0 498 4 6 | Miscellaneous expenditure .. .. 21 15 4 Balance, 3.lst March, 1928— Cash in Bank of New Zealand — £ s. d. Current account .. ■ 84 17 6 Fixed deposit .. 3,300 0 0 Cash in Post Office Savings-bank .. 938 6 1 Cash in transit at 3.lst March, 1928 .. 37 5 6 4,360 8 1 £7,156 10 7 £7,156 10 7 Revenue Account for Year ended 31st March, 1928. Dr. £ s. d. Cr. £ s. d. To Ranger's salary .. .. .. 270 0 0 By Government grant for Ranger's salary .. 270 0 0 Depreciation Account .. .. 313 3 11 Interest on Post Office Savings-bank Expenses of Board meetings .. .. 18 9 9 deposit .. .. .. 38 5 1 Fuel, oil, __c. .. .. .. 44 5 0 Interest on fixed deposit, Bank of New Horse-feed, shoeing, &o. .. .. 23 8 6 Zealand .. .. .. 70 14 7 Insurance .. .. .. 12 9 4 Profit on sale of lithographs .. .. 016 0 Maintenance of buildings .. .. 47 4 2 Profit on sale of handbooks .. .. 114 3 Maintenance of equipment .. .. 111 0 Park fees — £ s. d. Maintenance of telephone-line and appa- Hutt accommodation fees 431 2 0 ratus . . .. .. .. 2 9 9 Ohakune Hut and Track Miscellaneous expenditure .. .. 23 4 9 fees .. .. .. 23 1 6 Postages, telegrams, &c. .. .. 13 9 6 Hire of miscellaneous equipPrinting and stationery .. .. 11 15 9 ment .. .. 11 3 6 Secretary's honorarium .. .. 25 0 0 Hire of skis .. .. 23 19 0 Treasurer's honorarium .. .. 12 0 0 Bathhouse receipts .. 6 8 6 Travelling-expenses .. .. .. 18 9 6 495 14 6 Value of unserviceable, lost, or missing equipment written off .. .. 3 7 6 Value of free copies of handbook distributed to Board members, press, &c. 16 16 11 Balance transferred to Capital Account .. 19 19 1 £877 4 5 £877 4 5

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Capital Account and Balance-sheet as at 31st March, 1928. Capital Account.

Balance-sheet. liabilities. £ s. d. Assets. £ s. d. Capital Account—Balance at credit .. .. 4,078 710 Handbook on park—Value of stock .. .. 469 10 0 Depreciation reserve .. .. .. . . 779 15 3 Horse .. .. .. .. .. 500 Sundry creditors .. .. .. .. 513 8 Sundry debtors .. .. .. .. 28 18 8 Cash in hands of Board's representa- £ s. d. tives at Ohakune and National Park 37 5 6 Cash in Bank of New Zealand— Current Account .. .. 84 17 6 Fixed deposit .. .. .. 3,300 0 0 Cash in Post Office Savings-bank .. 938 5 1 4,360 8 1 £4,863 16 9 £4,863 16 9 Note.—The, buildings are on Crown Land, the control and management of which is vested in the Board. J. B. Thompson, Chairman, Tongariro National Park Board. H. Seeker, Treasurer, Tongariro National Park Board. I hereby certify that the Revenue Account and Balance-sheet have been duly examined and compared with the relative books and documents submitted for audit, and correctly state the position as disclosed thereby.—Gr. F. C. Campbell, Controller and Auditor-General.

Approximate Cost, of Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing (H5O copies), £0* 15s.

Authority: W. A. G. Skinner, Government Printer, Wellington.—l92B.

Price 6d.\

Expenditure Receipts sjS&h, TOtal - — SlstMarch, 1928. , 1928. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ b. d. £ a. d. £ s. d. Bruce Road.. .. 6,549 0 10 184 17 6 6,733 18 4 Park buildings taken 1,005 0 0 .. 1,005 0 0 Ohakune Track improve- 451 18 6 70 10 0 522 8 6 over from Tourist ment Department Telephone-line construc- 255 10 6 .. 255 10 6 Park equipment taken 44 16 0 .. 44 16 0 tion over from Tourist Tracks, bridges, &c. .. 171 4 3 4 1 4 175 5 7 Department Surveys .. .. 139 19 11 .. 139 19 11 Erua milling-timber .. 3,641 3 4 .. 3,641 3 4 Buildings .. .. 1,174 14 10 .. 1,174 14 10 Bruce Estate Trustees J, 150 0 0 500 0 0 1,650 0 0 Buildings erected by 1,005 0 0 .. 1,005 0 0 Subsidies from local 2,000 0 0 .. 2,000 0 0 Tourist .Department authorities Equipment, £43813s. 7d; 433 10 7 25 11 9 459 2 4 Government grants and 4,139 19 11 1,700 0 0 5,839 19 11 less value written off, subsidies £5 3s. Miscellaneous receipts 154 3 6 2 10 0 156 13 6 Equipment purchased 1.7 0 0 .. 17 0 0 Revenue contribution 203 16 0 19 19 1 223 15 1 by Tourist Depart- to capita] ment, £44 16s.; less value written off, £27 16s. Handbook on park .. 100 0 0 Or. 100 0 0 10,483 0 0 Balance carried down .. .. 4,078 7 10 14,561 7 10 14,561 7 10