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Features of Special Interest. —Mr. T. A. Blyth, of Ohakune, reports that the Wangaehu River has developed a new source at an approximate altitude of 8,000 ft. in an exterior snow slope. It rises on the same side as formerly, but much farther up the valley. The Ranger at Whakapapa states that the Crater Lake on Mount Ruapehu has been lowered considerably in depth, due chiefly to the ice-cave outlet being enlarged and for the time being flooding the sulphur stream on the south side of the mountain. During March last the Crater Lake was very active, with volumes of steam rising. There has been no unusual activity observed in Mount Ngaruahoe beyond the occasional steam vents. During the year the Ranger observed that the lower reaches of the Whakapapa Glacier were receding fairly rapidly. Winter Sports. —Ruapehu Ski Club : In August, 1924, the Ruapehu Ski Club held its second annual sports tournament, under excellent weather conditions, on the western foothills of Mount Ruapehu. Unusual snow conditions made it necessary to ascend to an altitude of 5,000 ft. where a very suitable ski-ing ground existed. The sports were well patronized, there being over forty competitors besides numerous spectators. The two principal trophies —the Salt Challenge Shield and the Drew Interprovincial Relay Cup —were won by L. N. Scott, Auckland, and the Wellington team respectively. During the club's sojourn in the park, Ngaruahoe (active volcano) was climbed, and a party of thirty members made a successful ascent of Ruapehu, the largest party as yet to make a winter ascent. Tararua Tramping Club: The following extract from a report of this club is of interest: " The party which visited the Tongariro National Park have returned to town well pleased with their outing, and thoroughly delighted with the beauties of the park and the facilities for both winter sports, general climbing, and tramping excursions. A considerable portion of the time was spent in ski-ing and other forms of snow sports. Several of the members of the party, both male and female, became quite expert in the manipulation of the ski. The whole party made the ascent of Ruapehu to the Crater Lake, and also made various excursions to Waihohonu Hut, Tama Lakes, Wairere and Whakapapanui Falls, Silica Springs, and other points of interest in the locality. A party of five of the male members also visited Ketetahi Hot Springs, returning to Whakapapa via Tongariro and Mangatepopo. The weather during the whole of the stay was delightful." jFinances.—During the year a subsidy of £2,500 was received from the Government on the contributions of £1,000 and £500 made by the Auckland and Wellington City Councils respectively, and the amount (£1,000) donated in 1923 by the Bruce Estate Trustees. The Wellington City Council has intimated that a further subsidy of £500 will be paid by the Council during the current year, which will also carry a Government subsidy of a like amount. The sum of £1,000 was appropriated on the Public Works Fund to assist the Board in the construction of Bruce Road, payment of which will be made upon the work being completed. It is pleasing to note that the revenue for the year from the fees charged for park services shows an increase over that received during the preceding year, and should farther increase as additional accommodation is provided. Attached are statements setting out the financial position of the Board, comprising statement of receipts and payments, Revenue Account, Capital Account, and balancesheet. General. —The Board's Secretary, Mr. W. R. Jourdain, retired from the Public Service on the 31st December, He had been Secretary from the inception of the present Board, and had a sound knowledge of the requirements of the position, allied to a keen enthusiasm for the advancement of the park. TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK BOARD. Statement of Receipts and Payments for the Period Ist April, 1924, to 31st March, 1925. Receipts. £ s. d. Payments. £ s. d. To Balance, Ist April, 1924 .. .. 1,421 15 0 By Audit fees .. .. .. 5 5 0 Park fees .. .. .. .. 320 19 6 Caretaker's salary .. .. .. 253 6 8 Park equipment .. .. .. 12 6 Expenses of Board meetings.. .. 44 15 7 Proceeds from entertainment .. 34 6 0 First-aid equipment .. .. 4 8 3 Sale of maps .. .. .. 2 15 0 Horse .. .. .. .. 5 0 0 Subsidies — £ Horse feed and shoeing .. .. 34 8 9 Auckland City Council .. 1,000 Insurance .. .. .. 810 0 Wellington City Council (on Maintenance of park equipment .. 1 14 1 account of £1,000) .. 500 Maintenance of park buildings .. 11 1 5 1,500 0 0 Ohakune Track improvement .. 195 18 6 Government subsidies — Park tracks, drains, &c. ... .. 31 15 3 Bruce Estate Trustees (£1 Park buildings .. .. .. 568 15 10 for £1) .. •• 1,000 Park equipment .. .. .. 196 13 1 Auckland City Council (£1 Construction of telephone-line, &c. .. 250 9 8 for £1) .. .. 1,000 Postages .. .. .. .. 9 010 Wellington City Council (£1 Printing and stationery .. .. 9 6 2 for £1) .. .. 500 Travelling-expenses of Warden and Grant .. .. •. 250 caretaker .. .. .. 64 15 6 2,750 0 0 Miscellaneous expenses .. .. 0 15 9 Interest, Post Office Savings- Road development .. .. 209 0 9 bank .. .. .. .. 33 12 4 Maps .. .. .. .. 6 0 0 Balance, 31st March, 1925— £ s. d. Bank of New Zealand 179 18 5 Post-office Savings-bank 952 17 4 Treasury investment .. 3,000 0 0 In transit, 31st March, 1925 .. .. 20 13 6 — 4,153 9 3 £6,064 10 4 £6,064 10 4