C.-13

1926. 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, 1926. I have the honour to submit to you the report of the Tongariro National Park Board, covering its operations up to the 31st March, 1926. I have, &c., J. B. Thompson, Chairman, Tongariro National Park Board. The Hon. A. D. McLeod, Minister of Lands.

REPORT. The number of visitors to the park during the year under review was 923, which is a considerable increase over the figures for the previous twelve months, consequently the available accommodation at the various huts was taxed to the utmost during the holiday periods. Hostel Lease. The question of providing further accommodation to meet the increasing demand is one which has engaged the serious attention of the Board, and as a result it was decided to offer a suitable lease with a view to a hostel being erected by private enterprise. A draft lease, with an explanatory memorandum, has been prepared and approved by the Government, and applications are being invited for the right to erect and conduct a hostel and other services. The lease proposed is for a term of forty-two years, with protection for improvements at the end of the term, subject to certain conditions. The annual rental is £75, and in addition the lessee is required to pay to the Board If per cent, per annum of the gross receipts during the first five years of the lease, and for the remainder of the term such percentage as the Board may determine, being not less than If per cent, per annum, but not exceeding 2| per cent, of such gross receipts. Power is conferred on the Board to resume possession of the land and buildings after a period of twenty-one years upon payment of full compensation. The areas which it is proposed to lease are as follows : Hostel-site : 60 acres, with an area of about 225 acres for grazing purposes at Sub-Taranaki. Hut-sites : 4 acres at Whakapapa and f acre surrounding each of the other huts —viz., Ohakune Hut, Waihohonu Hut, Mangatepopo Huts (two). These areas are, of course, only tentative, and can be increased to suit the needs of the lessee. It is proposed that the initial hostel building which the successful applicant will be required to erect in terms of the lease shall contain accommodation for at least seventy-five visitors, and shall be equipped with all modern conveniences, including electricity for lighting and heating. The present hut accommodation is to be maintained by the lessee, and increased should the Board consider additional accommodation of this class necessary. The charges for accommodation and other services are to be in conformity with a scale to be approved by the Board from time to time.