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Definition op Tracks. In December last the routes from the Whakapapa Huts to Wailiohonu Hut and thence to Ketetahi Hut were defined by Mr. A. D. Mead, 8.E., A.M.1.C.E., poles and cairns being erected at suitable spots by the Prisons Department. The Board desires to record its thanks and appreciation for the honorary and valuable services rendered by Mr. Mead in this connection. New Road to Mangatepopo Huts. In view of the early completion of the Bruce Road, which extends from the Waimarino-Tokaanu Road to the Whakapapa Huts, the question as to constructing a road to the Mangatepopo Huts is now under consideration. The distance to be covered from the main Waimarino-Tokaanu Road is approximately five miles, but until an engineering survey has been made it is not possible to estimate the cost of the work. The country to be traversed is of pumice formation, and there should be no bush-work or extensive heavy cuttings to cope with or expensive bridges to erect. Ohakune Mountain Track and Hut. Owing to the limited funds available only the amount collected as hut fees—viz., £48—was expended, and with this amount it was not possible to carry out any extensive works on the track. The work already effected—viz., corduroying and draining —was kept in repair, and a small amount of new work was carried out. The Ohakune Mountain Hut is in a good state of repair, and the visitors accommodated therein during the year numbered 295—a large increase over the figures for the previous twelve months. The hut receipts for the year show a increase ; and as the track is improved it is anticipated that the number of visitors will increase, particularly in view of the fact that this track serves Ohakune, Rangataua, and Raetihi, with a local population of over three thousand people. Alpine Equipment. Twelve pairs of Canadian hickory skis, with five extra sets of harness and twenty-four bamboo ski-poles, were purchased for use at Whakapapa. In addition eight ice-axes were purchased for use at Whakapapa and the Ohakune Huts. The fees for the hire of skis were reduced by resolution of the Board in July last, and now stand at: For one day, 2s. 6d. per day; for more than one day, 2s. per day ; per week, 9s. By-laws. The by-laws made by the Board pursuant to the Tongariro National Park Act, 1922, were duly approved by His Excellency the Governor-General on the 31st July, 1925. Copies of the by-laws, printed in large type, are now being exhibited at various points in order that public attention may be drawn thereto. Warden's Report. Mr. John Cullen, 1.5.0., Warden of the park, reports as follows :— " Owing to the prolonged spells of wet and stormy weather experienced in the park during the past season I was unable to make visits to any of the more remote areas. So unseasonable has the weather been that spring was a month later in coming in than usual, which had a peculiar effect on some of the native plants of the park. The clematis, which is the earliest to come into bloom, produced very few flowers, and the mistletoe, which usually is in bloom between November and the New Year, did not bloom at all —a thing I have not known to happen during the preceding thirty years. Birdlife appeared to be also affected, as I did not see or hear the shining cuckoo, and only heard the long-tailed cuckoo on one occasion. These birds used to be fairly in evidence in previous years. Opossums are now about the park, as I found their tracks last season. Deer have been in evidence during the autumn season, but they are not numerous. The Department of Internal Affairs sent 200,000 rainbow-trout fry for liberation in the park streams, which were taken charge of and liberated, as advised by me, by the Waimarino Society. " In September, 1922, I caused 12,000 rainbow-trout fry to be liberated in the smaller Nga Puna-a-Tama Lakes, where fry had not been previously liberated, and where there now should be some good-sized fish if the fry have done at all well there. Fry were also placed in the Taranaki Stream, above the waterfall, at the same time as the Tama Lake was stocked. " Large numbers of shags that have their rookeries in the Whakapapa Gorge have been frequenting the park streams and denuding them of fish, so the Ranger for the Waimarino Acclimatization Society and myself started a campaign against these raiders, with the result that we shot a good many of them. Shags are said to consume .7 lb. or 8 lb. of fish per day ; therefore the amount consumed by two or three dozen in the year would be enormous. " The principal matter of interest in the park of late has been the very marked activity displayed by Ngauruhoe." Features op Special Interest. Mr. T. A. Blyth, of Ohakune, has furnished some interesting notes in regard to the Crater Lake and the discovery of some springs near the source of the Mangaturuturu Stream : — Crater Lake.—" The Crater Lake is now quite cold on the surface. The loss of temperature may be due to the increasing activity of Ngauruhoe. From observations made it is evident that

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