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1924. NEW ZEALAND.

TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK (REPORT OF THE BOARD OF THE).

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

Bf.R, — Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, 23rd May, 1.924. I have the honour to submit to you the report of the Tongariro National Park Board, covering its operations up to the 31st March last. I have, &c, J. B. Thompson, Chairman, Tongariro National Park Board. The Hon. D. H. Guthrie, Minister of Lands.

E E P C) E T. This is the second annual report of the Tongariro National Park Board ; it deals with the operations of the first completed year of working under the Tongariro National Park Act, 1922. Last year's report merely covered the operations of the three months between the Ist January and 31st March, 1923. This report deals with the twelve months ended 31st March, 1924. Meetings. —The following Board meetings have been held during the year : At Waimari.no, on the 11th April, 1923; at Wellington, on the 3rd August, 1923; and at Waimarino, on the sth February, 1924. At each meeting there was a very full attendance of members, and when at Waimarino the Board members personally inspected the. various proposed sites for the hostel, the existing huts, and investigated matters connected with the administration of the park. Accommodation. —In addition to the six huts mentioned in last year's report, two more huts have been constructed, one on the Whakapapa site (and adjoining the two huts that had previously been erected), and the other at the foot of Ngauruhoe (adjoining the old Mangatepopo hut). In each case the hut was made of undressed timber with galvanized-iron roof and veranda, whilst twelve bunks were provided in each ; a suitable fireplace was also erected. They were both constructed by the Prisons Department; they answer present requirements very well, their accommodation having been largely availed of during the past season. The Bruce Trustees again showed their practical interest in the park inasmuch, as they kindly donated the sum of £150 towards their erection. Although the huts now provided in the park for visitors are only suitable for temporary accommodation, and must necessarily be replaced by more commodious accommodation in the near future, yet, owing to the financial position, of the Board, such accommodation is all that can be provided at the present time, and answers fairly well. It is, when necessary, supplemented by the erection, of marquees and tents during the holiday period. The Board is fully alive to the pressing necessity for up-to-date accommodation commensurate with the importance of the park, to which further reference is made following. Caretaker. —Mr. A. Cowling, the caretaker, has been in residence at Whakapapa since November last, and has been chiefly engaged in. attending to the requirements of the many persons who visited the park. Facilities. —Owing to the present isolated position of the huts it was deemed advisable to arrange for the erection of a telephone-line from the Waimarino Railway-station up to the Whakapapa huts. The work is now in hand, and it is hoped that it will be completed at an early date. In due course the Board's policy will pro vide a good road to the huts as well as on to the projected hostel.