TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1930 Session I, C-13

a— l 3

1930. NEW ZE A LAND

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, 30th June, 1930. 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, 1930. I have, &c, J. B. Thompson, Chairman, Tongariro National Park Board. The Hon. E. A. Ransom, Minister of Lands.

REPORT. In presenting this report it may not be out of place to again refer to the wise policy pursued by this Dominion in setting apart national parks and scenic and other reserves for the enjoyment of the present and future generations. In the July number of the " Geographical Review,' , ptiblished by the American Geographical Society, is an article dealing with the book written by Mr. James Cowan, F.R.G.S., and published by the Board. The following extract taken from the review published by the society is of particular interest :— " The Tongariro National Park is situated in the centre of the North Island of New Zealand, half way between Wellington and Auckland, about 150 miles from each. It covers an area of almost 250 square miles, representing, however, only 6 per cent, of the national-park area of New Zealand, which totals over two and half million acres. This is virtually one-third of the area of the national parks in the United States. It is perhaps fair to say that no other country of the world has so great a proportion of its area devoted to national parks and forests as New Zealand has. Not even the United States can boast so great a variety of physiographic and geological features so splendidly preserved in her public play-grounds." The Chateau. With the opening of the Chateau at Whakapapa an important stage was reached in connection with the development of the park. The building, a brief description of which was given in the report for the previous year, was completed by the Ist August, 1929, and, considering its size and elaborate nature, there seems little doubt it was erected in record time. The architect (Mr. H. Hall, architect and structural engineer, of Timaru) and the builders (the Fletcher Construction Co.) are to be congratulated upon the skill and organization displayed. New Zealand now has in the Chateau a luxurious hotel built on modern lines and quite up to the standard to be found in any part of the world. The Chateau is owned and operated by the Tongariro Park Tourist Co., Ltd., under a ground lease from the Board and subject to conditions which the Board has imposed in the public interest governing the Chateau.

ft—l 3

2

Visitors have been unstinted in their praise, and the almost universal remark upon first seeing the building is one of surprise at finding such accommodation in a spot so far removed from the main centres. The first occupation of the building was during the winter-sports season in August, 1929. The furnishing of the building was not then completed, but temporary accommodation was provided for two hundred guests who had assembled for the sports. In October, 1929, a Labour Day week-end excursion was arranged, and the total number of guests accommodated on this occasion was 335. The official opening ceremony was held on the 3rd and 4th November, 1929, when invited guests from all parts of the Dominion assembled. The number on this occasion was 230. The speeches were made from the balcony in front of the main entrance portico on the afternoon of the 4th November, after which the Chairman of the Board (Mr. J. B. Thompson, C.8.E.), officially unlocked the main entrance doors and declared the Chateau open. An official dinner was held in the evening, and immediately before this function there unveiled a memorial tablet dedicated to the memory of the late Te Heuheu Tukino (Horonuku), the great Maori chief who gave to the nation the principal mountain peaks which may rightly be referred to, in the words of the Chairman, as " the jewels of the park." The tablet is erected in the main entrance of the Chateau, and the inscription upon it reads as follows :— Dedicated by the Tongariro National Park Board to the memory of Te Heuheu Tukino (Horonuku), Who presented to the Crown the Mountain Peaks Tongariro, Ngauruhoe, and part of Ruapehu, thus forming the nucleus of the National Park. Ko Tongariro Te Maunga; Ko Taupo Te Moana; Ko Te Heuheu Te Tangata. It is gratifying to record that present at this ceremony were a number of the relatives and descendants of this great chief. Commencing from the opening day there has been a continuous stream of visitors to the rjark, and the advice received from the company is to the effect that the forecast of the number of visitors has been exceeded. This is a clear indication that the people of New Zealand and tourists from overseas are amply satisfied with the excellent accommodation and services which are being provided by the company under their lease from the Board. With respect to outdoor attractions, apart from the mountain-climbing and bush walks, the company has laid down an eighteen-hole golf-course. The grass on the links has taken very well, and a good turf should be established. When the links are in order for play this will be a very valuable attraction to the park. Tennis-courts, bowling-greens, and a croquet-lawn are also being provided for the enjoyment of visitors. In conjunction with the Chateau, lodge accommodation is provided by the company for the convenience of visitors. Guests in the lodges have their meals in the dining-room of the Chateau and have the use of all the facilities provided in the main building. In regard to the old-time hut accommodation this is still available at Ohakune, Waihohonu, and Mangatepopo. The original huts at Whakapapa have been much improved, and during the building of the Chateau portion of this accommodation was utilized by the management. Now that the building programme has been completed and affairs are reaching a normal level at Whakapapa, the company has arranged to make hut accommodation available for those parties desirous of providing their own meals, &c. Camping parties have also visited the park in large numbers, and were, able to obtain from the company's store any supplies required. It is the intention of the company to provide a proper campingground with water laid on and other conveniences. It will be seen from the foregoing that the Board and the company are endeavouring to cater for all requirements, and there is no reason why all classes of the community should not be able to take advantage of this health-giving holiday resort. Bruce Eoad. The traffic on the Bruce Road in connection with the erection of the Chateau and the conveyance of visitors thereto has been very heavy during the past year. In February last the Main Highways Board decided to recommend that this road should be declared a main highway, and the proposal was approved by the Government. The Order in Council declaring the road to be a main highway within the meaning and for the purposes of the Main Highways Act, 1922, was issued on the 19th February, 1930. As the Main Highways Board will now carry on the maintenance work the Board decided to revoke the by-law imposing a toll charge for horses and vehicles, and a formal resolution revoking the by-law as from the 20th February, 1930, was duly passed. The new arrangement has been much appreciated by the public. The collection of tolls occupied a good deal of the Ranger's time, and, being now relieved of this work, more time is available for ranging and other duties in the park. The erection of a permanent two-car bridge over the Whakapapanui River is now required to complete the work on this road. Plans for the construction of this bridge are now under way, and it is hoped to have the work put in hand at no distant date.

α-ria

Whakapapa - Mangatei'opo and Whakapapa - Scoria Flat Roads. To open up further fields of interest to tourists and visitors to the park it is essential that roads should be constructed from the Chateau at Whakapapa to Mangatepopo and from Whakapapa to Scoria Flat. The general route of the first-mentioned road has been located right through from Whakapapa to Mangatepopo, a distance of about eight miles, and formation (14 ft. wide) has been completed to a distance of 1 mile 15 chains. The maximum grade on the completed portion is lin 13. This road when completed will provide easy access to the Mangatepopo Hut as a base for the ascent of Ngaurohoe and a radiating point to the many features of interest at the northern end of the park. The Whakapapa - Scoria Flat Road will bring the ski-ing grounds on Ruapehu within easy reach of the Chateau. The engineering survey of this road has been completed for a distance of 3 miles 18 chains, which covers the full extent of the proposed road. The formation (14 ft. wide) has been completed to 1 mile 27 chains, with the exception of 12 chains at the Whakapapanui Stream, which has been left in abeyance pending the erection of a bridge. The maximum grade is 1 in 14. The work on both routes has been carried out by relief workers under the supervision of the Public Works Department. Pending the completion of the. last-mentioned road, it has been decided to put in a connecting link from the end of the present formation to the old track, so as to improve the access for the coming season. Warden's Report. Mr. John Cullen, 1.5.0., Warden of the Park, reports as follows : — " At end of October sparks from a train set fire to the tussock on private land on the east side of the railway about half a mile north of Waikune Prison, and swept eastwards over the plains to the Mahuia Stream, destroying all the vegetation on that part of the park eastward of the private land referred to to the river, a distance of about three miles. The beautiful fringes of evergreen shrubs along the southern side of the Moturoa bush and the bush on the northern side of the Waimarino Stream abreast of Hauhungatahi were completely destroyed, as well as some of the smaller trees behind the shrubs. There are several isolated patches of bush on the plains over which the fire swept, and these have also been much damaged and disfigured as well as being reduced in size. I happened to be at Waikune Prison when the fire started, so there is no doubt as to cause of its origin. Two small patches of bush that existed thirty-five years ago on the fire-swept area have been completely wiped out by successive fires, and it is only a question of time till the existing patches disappear, unless steps are taken to preserve them from future fires. There is a beautiful patch of bush standing out by itself on the left-hand side of the old track to the Haunted Whare which is surrounded by a dense growth of snow grass, stunted scrub, flax., &c, and is in great danger of being partially destroyed should a fire reach it. The various patches of bush on the adjoining military reserve have been greatly damaged by fire in recent years. As the preservation of the native bush must naturally interest the Forestry Department, it might be well to bring under the notice of that Department the damage being done to the bush by frequent tussock-fires. I think a clearance of all growth a chain or so wide should be made at the edge of all the bush in the park and military reserve, the cost of which would not be great. " Native bird-life in the bush in the park appears to diminish year by year, and, as weasels and stoats are now quite numerous, it may be that their presence may have something to do with the disappearance of the birds. " Some good catches of rainbow trout have been made in the Whakapapanui and Whakapapaiti Streams during the season, many fish weighing over 9 lb. having been caught. " Ngauruhoe has been fairly quiet during the past year, and the same applies to the vents on Tongariro. The lake on Ruapehu, which had been cold since the eruption of Ngauruhoe in 1926, has again become hot. " A new wire suspension footbridge across the Whakapapanui, to replace the old one giving access to the Waiuku and Silica Springs, is badly needed, as is also one across the narrow gorge below the Taranaki Waterfall to give easy access to that waterfall." Winter Sports and Excursions to the Park. Ruapehu Ski Club. The Ruapehu Ski Club, Incorporated, has supplied the following notes dealing with the visits made by members of the club to the park : —■ " The Ruapehu Ski Club, Incorporated, held its seventeenth annual winter sports excursion to the Tongariro National Park from 28th August to 9th September, 1929. " The party, which consisted of approximately eighty-five members, was the largest organized by the club to date, this being rendered possible by the construction of the new Chateau at Whakapapa. The building was sufficiently completed to enable our party to occupy the whole of the second floor of bedrooms and a number of rooms on the first floor. Our members, however, realized that, under the circumstances prevailing during their visit, a certain amount of inconvenience was unavoidable, and endeavoured to assist the management to the best of their ability. In the past lack of sufficient accommodation had considerably restricted the number of persons able to partake of the club's annual winter visit to the national park.

3

ft—l 3

4

" The weather for the first few days was excellent, and the members indulged in ski-ing practice at every opportunity. On Saturday morning, 31st August, every member visited the ski-ing grounds, and it was arranged that after lunch a party of twenty-five should ascend the mountain with the club's Glacier Hut as their destination, which, however, was no longer a figure of the landscape visible to the eye. It was completely buried in snow. Armed with long rods and shovels a party went back to the spot on the following day charged with almost as much zest as an expedition bent on discovering treasure. Twenty minutes' work with the rods located the hut roof, and the shovel brigade proceeded with their work of clearing the snow. They reached the door in approximately an hour's time and then proceeded to cut a sloping trench about 15 ft. deep to the floor-level, steps being carved out to provide ease in making entry and exit. "' Unfortunately weather conditions spoilt the prospects for those attempting the annual climb of Mount Ruapehu on Monday. An early start was made by a party of fifty-four, who reached Glacier Hut after less than two hours and a half climbing. Owing to the adverse weather conditions, some then decided to turn back, while thirty-five members elected to carry on and ascended to a point approximately 1,000 ft. from the summit. It was necessary to cut steps most of the way after leaving the hut, and the fog eventually confined the visibility to within a few feet. It became impossible to see any part of the mountain or the surrounding country, so it was then decided to return to Whakapapa. However, all were unanimous that the experience gained was worth while ; and, although willing to try again, weather conditions prevented a further attempt during the visit. Every year our parties visiting the park become larger, and the. necessity for increasing the accommodation in the Glacier Hut region impressed itself very forcibly on those who travelled there on this occasion. " The winter sports tournament was held on Thursday, sth September, and the entire programme successfully completed that day, which, fortunately, was fine and clear, with a light westerly wind prevailing. Snow conditions were good for ski-ing purposes, although inclined to be ' icy 'in places. Numerous entries were received for the various events, including the amateur ski-ing championship of New Zealand, the inauguration of which proved very successful. The inclusion of the event marked another milestone in the club's work of creating interest in winter sports in New Zealand. " Trips were also undertaken to the various points of interest, including the Rock Valley, Silica Springs, Tama Lakes, Holl's Camp, and Mangatepopo Huts. Two of the members also climbed Mount Ngauruhoe successfully during the party's visit. " The annual fancy dress ball was held in the Chateau on the Saturday evening prior to the departure of the party, about two hundred being present. Members motored from Wanganui and the surrounding districts to attend the function. Conditions have altered somewhat since the club's first annual dance in \Yhakapapa Cottage was held, when the members danced to gramophone music on a rough wooden floor. In contrast, at the 1929 ball members danced on a specially prepared parquetry floor to music supplied by an orchestra. " The cinema-room was used on two evenings during the party's visit, when very interesting lectures were given by Mr. R. Syme on his mountaineering experiences in the Southern Alps and his climb of Mount Cook in particular. " Various trips have been made to the park from time to time during the year, one of which was a week-end walking tour from the Ohakune Railway-station to the National Park Station, via Ohakune Hut, Ruapehu Peak, and the Chateau. Although a somewhat strenuous trip, involving as it does a tramp of approximately thirty-one miles, including the ascent of Mount Ruapehu, it is a journey well worth undertaking, and was thoroughly enjoyed by the members of the party." Tararua Tramping Club, Wellington. The Tararua Tramping Club has supplied the following notes dealing with the visits made by members of the club to the park : — " During August and September, 1929, a somewhat smaller party than usual made the trip to the park, due no doubt to the increased expense incurred by staying at the Chateau. Temporary accommodation was provided in the uncompleted main building, and the party made the most of their almost luxurious surroundings after the simplicity of the old hut life. Good weather was experienced and the holiday fully enjoyed by all, the only regret being that they were unable to remain long enough to be present at the tournament arranged by the Ski Club. This year the dates arranged for make it almost certain, that a combined fixture may eventuate, in which case keen competition may be looked for. " The announcement that hut accommodation would in future be available is noted with interest by those club members who knew the park in its earlier stages of development." Vacancies in Membership op Board. It is with deep regret that the Board records the deati , . of three valued members. Mr. William Salt died on the 12th July, 1929, Mr. A. G. Simpson on the 18th July, and Mr. B. M. Wilson (General Manager of the Department of Tourist and Health Resorts) on the 22nd September. The late Mr. Salt took a keen and active interest in mountaineering, and was President of the Ruapehu Ski Club. His practical knowledge gained after years of experience was of the greatest value to the Board. By the death of the late Mr. Simpson the Board suffered another serious loss. The welfare of the Board and the affairs of the park were matters in which he took the greatest interest, and his genial personality endeared him to those with whom he came in contact.

5

ft—l 3,

The late Mr. B. M. Wilson occupied a seat on the Board as General Manager of the Department of Tourist and Health Resorts. As head of that Department he had been closely associated with the development of the park for many years, and by his death the Board lost a most valued member. The vacancies in the membership were filled by the appointment of Messrs. E. A. Marchant and F. F. Hockly, whilst Mr. G. W. Clinkard, as the Permanent Head of the Department of Tourist and Health Resorts, takes up the seat formerly occupied by the late Mr. Wilson. In addition, His Excellency the Governor-General has been pleased to appoint Mr. F. Langstone, M.P., as a member of the Board. Finances. As stated in last year's report, arrangements were made under the powers conferred by the Tongariro National Park Act, 1922, and section 36 of the Finance Act, 1928, to borrow from the Public Trustee the sum of £40,000 for the purpose of an advance to the Tongariro Park Tourist Co., Ltd., for the erection of the hostel and other facilities at Whakapapa. To give full effect to the hostel proposals and provide facilities necessary the company found that the capital outlay would be greater than was originally anticipated, and upon further representations being made to the Government the borrowing-powers were extended by section 45 of the Finance Act, 1929. Pursuant to this authority, the Board arranged to borrow an additional sum of £20,000 from the Public Trustee, and to advance the amount to the company. The sum of £3,750 advanced to the company out of the Board's own funds was paid over during the year, and is repayable by equal half-yearly instalments of principal and interest extending over a term of twenty years. Under the will of the late Mr. W. Salt the funds of the Board will benefit by the sum of £100, and this bequest is a further indication of the very keen interest taken by the late Mr. Salt in the development of the park. It is proposed to expend the sum donated on some permanent work which will perpetuate his memory. At the 31st March, 1930, the funds of the Board available for expenditure stood at £1,779 6s. lid. The expenditure on urgent development works of a considerable portion of the available funds is now receiving attention. Attached hereto are statements setting out the financial position of the Board. Future Development. The development works which are contemplated, and to which, reference has been made in this report, can be regarded only as a contribution towards meeting the many pressing requirements for the public pleasure and convenience in the park. The Board has done its best with its limited financial resources ; and by the lease and the financial facilities arranged for the Tongariro Park Tourist Co., Ltd., the splendid new Chateau was made possible. Future development of the park depends largely not so much on the Board itself, but upon the support which will be extended by the New Zealand public to this splendid national heritage. Situated in the Wellington Province, half way between the cities of Auckland and Wellington, at an altitude at the Chateau of 3,750 ft., it affords a play-ground of wonderful attraction to the people. That such should be appreciated by the New Zealand public, and that a generous measure of support should be accorded is the sincere hope of the Board. If a full measure of public support and patronage is forthcoming, then the success of the Chateau is assured, and both the past and the further development of the park will be justified. One of the disabilities under which the Board suffers is the lack of any general substantial revenue. It is without any endowments from which funds for the park might be drawn ; it has practically no capital moneys. In the past it has received several generous private bequests and two local-body contributions —viz., from the Wellington City Council and the Auckland City Council. The general Government, too, has been generous with the Board, rendering to it reasonable financial assistance. A stimulation of public interest and patronage, it would be reasonable to assume, would bring to the Board further private bequests, to assist in the development of the park, and would afford additional warrant for the Government continuing its support and assistance to the Board in its development plans. The park, being on the main line of tourist traffic from the thermal district to the Main Trunk Railway line, is favourably situated to attract increasing patronage from overseas visitors.

ft—l 3

6

TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK BOARD. Statement of Receipts and Payments fob Yeas ended 31st March, 1930. Receipts. £ s. d. Payments. £ s. d. To Balance, Ist April, 1929 .. .. .. 5,037 011 By Advance secured by first mortgage on lease to Government grant for Hanger's salary .. 270 0 0 : Tongariro Park Tourist Co., Ltd. .. .. 32,000 0 0 Loan, Public Trustee .. .. .. 32,000 0 0 j Advance secured by second mortgage on lease Sales of hand-book .. .. .. 41 9 4 to Tongariro Park Tourist Co., Ltd. .. 3,750 0 0 Sales of lithographs .. .. .. 112 6 Expenditure on buildings .. .. .. 129 12 0 Sale of equipment to Tongariro Park Tourist Expenditure on equipment .. .. 17 19 0 Co., Ltd. .. .. .. .. 130 0 0 Horse feed, shoeing, &c. .. .. t.. 29 13 9 Rent from lease to Tongariro Park Tourist Co., Maintenance of buildings .. .. .. 14 0 Ltd. .. .. .. .. .. 74 19 0 Maintenance of equipment .. .. 218 0 Camp fees, &o. .. .. .. .. 15 19 6 Ranger's salary .. .. .. .. 270 0 0 Repayment of advances— Travelling-expenses .. .. .. 21 16 10 Under first mortgage — Tongariro Park Secretary's honorarium .. .. .. 25 0 0 Tourist Co., Ltd. .. .. .. 318 011 Treasurer's honorarium .. .. .. 12 0 0 Under second mortgage —Tongariro Park Printing and stationery .. .. .. 20 2 3 Tourist Co., Ltd. .. .. .. 100.19 2 Postages, telegrams, &o. .. .. .. 14 15 9 Interest on advances — Fuel, oil, &c. .. .. .. .. 018 6 Under first mortgage — Tongariro Park Insurance .. .. .. .. 0 8 9 Tourist Co., Ltd. .. .. .. 1,841 7 1 Miscellaneous expenditure .. .. .. 52 7 0 Under second mortgage—Tongariro Park Hostel loan, Public Trustee— £ s. d. Tourist Co., Ltd. .. .. .. 106 7 3 j Repayment of principal .. 318 611 Interest on Post Office Savings-bank deposit .. 28 14 10 Interest .. .. 1,813 0 10 Interest on fixed deposit, Bank of New Zealand 32 16 3 2,131 7 9 Bruce Road toll charges .. .. .. 265 18 3 Balance, 31st March, 1930— Cash in Bank of New Zealand— £ s. d. Current account 273 9 11 Fixed deposit .. 700 0 0 973 9 11 Cash in Post Office Savings-bank 802 6 3 Cash held by Ranger at National Park .. .. .. 0 6 0 Petty cash .. .. .. 3 4 9 I 77<j g jj £40,265 11 0 £40,265 11 0 Revenue Account foe Year ended 31st March, 1930. Dr. £ s. d. Or. £ s. d. To Ranger's salary .. .. .. .. 270 0 0 By Government grant for Ranger's salary .. 270 0 0 Depreciation .. .. .. .. 123 17 2 Profit on sales of lithographs .. .. 0 6 6 Fuel, oil, &c. .. .. .. .. 018 6 Profit on sales of hand-book .. .. 015 0 Horse feed, shoeing, &c. .. .. 22 0 3 Camp-fees, &o. .. .. .. 15 19 6 Maintenance of buildings .. .. .. 14 0 Bruce Road toll charges .. .. .. 426 8 3 Maintenance of equipment .. .. .. 2 18 0 Rent from lease to Tongariro Park Tourist Co., Miscellaneous expenditure .. .. .. 21 10 0 Ltd. .. .. .. .. .. 83 6 8 Postages, telegrams, &c. .. .. .. 16 2 3 Interest on Post Office Savings-bank deposit .. 28 14 10 Printing and stationery .. .. .. 26 2 3 Interest on fixed deposit, Bank of New Zealand 30 14 6 Secretary's honorarium .. .. .. 25 0 0 Interest on advances secured by first mortgage on Treasurer's honorarium .. .. .. 12 0 0 lease to Tongariro Park Tourist Co., Ltd. .. 2,071 6 1 Travelling-expenses .. .. .. 21 16 10 Interest on advance secured by second mortgage Insurance .. .. .. .. 0 8 9 on lease to Tongariro Park Tourist Co., Ltd. 130 7 0 Value of complimentary copies of hand-book distributed .. .. .. .. 5 17 Value of copies of hand-book destroyed in fire at Whakapapa .. .. .. .. 3 14 11 Loss on disposal of equipment to the Tongariro Park Tourist Co., Ltd. .. .. .. 21 9 2 Interest on hostel loan .. .. .. 1,983 0 9 j Balance .. .. .. .. 500 13 11 j £3,057 18 4 £3,057 18 4

7

ft—l 3

Capital Account and Balance-sheet as at 31st March, 1930. Receipts and Expenditure on Capital Account.

Balance-sheet. Liabilities. £ s. d. : Assets. Capital Account—Balance at credit .. .. 4,800 311 Advance secured by first mortgage on lease to £ s. d. Depreciation reserve on buildings and equipment 771 6 4 Tongariro Park Tourist Co., Ltd. .. .. 39,681 13 1 Public Trustee —Hostel loan .. .. .. 39,681 13 1 Advance secured by second mortgage on lease to Rent charged in advance .. .. .. 14 3 4 Tongariro Park Tourist Co., Ltd. .. .. 3,649 0 10 Interest accrued but not due in respect of hostel i Hand-book—Value of stock .. .. .. 390 12 6 loan .. .. .. .. .. 202 4 1 Horse .. .. .. .. .. 5 0 0 Revenue Account .. .. .. .. 500 13 11 i Sundry debtors on open account .. .. 173 14 1 Interest accrued but not due— £ s. d. On fixed deposit .. .. .. 5 19 4 On advance on first mortgage .. 260 18 2 On advance on second mortgage .. 23 19 9 290 17 3 CashBank of New Zealand— £ s. d. Fixed deposit .. 700 0 0 Current account .. 273 9 11 973 9 11 Post Office Savings-bank .. .. 802 6 3 Petty cash .. .. .. 3 4 9 Held by Ranger at National Park . . 0 6 0 1,779 6 11 £45,970 4 8 £45,970 4 8 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. P. Seckee, Treasurer, Tongairo 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. — G. F. C. Campbell, Controller and Auditor-General.

Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation not given ; printing (600 copies)'£9.

Authority : W. A. G. Skinner, Government Printer, Wellington.—l93o.

Price Gd.}

Expenditure to ,'ilst March, 1929. Expenditure during Year ended 31st, March, 1930. I Total. Receipts to 31st March, 1929. Receipts during Year ended 31st March, 1930. Totai. Bruce Road Ohakune Track improvements Telephone-line construction Tracks, bridges, &e. .. Surveys Buildings* Expenditure on equipment,* £513 17s. 2d. (less proceeds from sale of equipment, £130 ; depreciation reserve on equipment sold, £332 19s. Id.; value written off, £20 7s. 9d. : total, £483 6s. IOd.) Equipment purchased by Tourist Department, £17 (less —depreciation reserve on equipment sold, £12 lla. Id. ; value written off, £1 Is. 3d. : total, £13 12s. 6d.) Buildings erected by Tourist Department £ s. d. 6,744 2 0 547 8 6 £ s. d. £ s. d. 6,744 2 0 547 8 6 Park buildings taken over from Tourist Department Park equipment taken over from Tourist Department Erua milling-timber .. Bruce Estate Trustees Subsidies from local authorities Government grants and subsidies Miscellaneous receipts Revenue contribution to capital £ s. d. 1,005 0 0 £ s. d. £ s. d. 1,005 0 0 255 10 6 255 10 6 44 16 0 44 Iβ 0 175 5 7 139 19 11 1,135 4 10 30 10 4 129 12 0 17 19 0 175 5 7 139 19 11 1,264 16 10 48 9 4 3,641 3 4 1,650 0 0 2,000 0 0 3,641 3 4 1,650 0 0 2,000 0 0 6,139 19 11 6,139 19 11 156 13 6 346 11 4 156 13 6 346 11 4 3 7 6 3 7 6 1,005 0 0 1,005 0 0 Balance carried down 10,036 9 2 147 11 0 10,184 0 2 4,800 3 11 14,984 4 1 14,984 4 1 14,984 4 1 14,984 4 1 * Expendi ituro incurred ii previous years amounting to £39 10s. has been transferred fi ■om Buildings to Equipment.