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C—l 3.

" Summer Parlies. —During the Christmas holidays, 1 am pleased to report, the whole of the huts were fully occupied ; also the park has attracted numbers of motor campers. " Works. —lmprovements have been made to Mangatepopo tracks. Main Ruapehu Track has been repaired in many places. Three miles has been poled, indicating route to Ruapehu ; also a new track is being formed to Taranaki. Falls. Repairs have been made to Mangatepopo huts, painting, &c. Windows have been replaced in the various huts. Flooring has been done at Waihohonu Hut by members of the Ski Club." Winter Sports and Excursions to the Park. Ruapehu Ski Club. —The Ruapehu Ski Club has supplied the following notes dealing with the visits made by members of the club to the park :— " Fifty-four members visited Whakapapa for ten days at'the end of August, and formed the most successful party since the inception of the club. For the first time in three years (owing to the adverse snow conditions) the sports were able to be held. The interprovincial relay race, competed for by teams from Auckland, Wellington, and Taranaki, was won by Auckland. For the Salt Challenge Shield, presented to the winner of the highest number of points in the men's races, turning and jumping events, Messrs. W. Salt and L. M. Lennard secured equal points. The races were held on the course selected last year, which, with a little extension in both directions and the removal of the more outstanding rooks, will be the equal of many of the best European courses. The committee of this club has already applied to your Board for permission to carry out the necessary work. The new wireless aerial erected by the Board at Whakapapa proved of great use, the party getting news and entertainment from Wellington and Auckland every night. At Christmas a, club party occupied Waihohonu Hut and installed a Hoor and table therein, the materials having been supplied by the Board. These additions make a vast difference to the comfort of the hut. Tararua Tramping Club. —The Tararua Tramping (Tub has supplied the following notes dealing with the visits made by members of the club to the park : — " Throughout the year various members of the club have visited the park at intervals, and none seem to have exhausted their interest in this national playground. The official club trip for the winter sports at Whakapapa was again fairly well patronized, about twenty-five members being in residence at times during their stay. Unfortunately, they were not favoured with the best of weather, a considerable portion of the time being marred by rain. However, the various trips to places of interest within a day's radius of the cottages were undertaken, as well as the annual pilgrimage to the Crater Lake. The sports programme was disposed of on the most suitable day available, the club ski-ing championship being annexed for the second time in succession by Mr. L. B. Cross. The wet weather experienced emphasized more than ever the necessity for the provision of suitable drying-rooms, as the attempted drying of sodden garments in front of fires in the bunk-rooms is certainly not conducive to the health of the party. Representations in this regard, and also in respect to the provision of suitable firing for the huts, have been made to the Board, which has promised its early consideration of these matters. This year we have again booked accommodation for the winter sports, and quite a number of our members are now looking forward to renewing their acquaintance with this spot of happy memories." Finances. A donation of £500 was received during the year from the trustees of the estate of the late R. C. Bruce to assist the Board in providing further accommodation for visitors at Whakapapa. This makes a total contribution of £1,650 received from the Bruce Estate for various purposes, and the grateful thanks of the Board are again recorded for this practical help towards the development of the park in the interests of the people of New Zealand. Grants and subsidies received from the Government during the year amounted to £1,970, representing a subsidy of £1,500 from the Public Works Department towards the cost of the Bruce Road, a subsidy of £200 (on account of £500) on the donation received from the Bruce Estate Trustees and the usual grant for administration purposes. The balance of the subsidy on the donation received during the year will be claimed as soon as appropriated by Parliament. The receipts derived during the year from accommodation fees, &c, were slightly in excess of that for the previous year, but no material increase in revenue from this source can be expected until further accommodation is provided. Attached hereto are statements setting out the financial position of the Board, comprising Statement of Receipts and Payments, Revenue Account, and Balance-sheet.

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