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Visitors have been unstinted in their praise, and the almost universal remark upon first seeing the building is one of surprise at finding such accommodation in a spot so far removed from the main centres. The first occupation of the building was during the winter-sports season in August, 1929. The furnishing of the building was not then completed, but temporary accommodation was provided for two hundred guests who had assembled for the sports. In October, 1929, a Labour Day week-end excursion was arranged, and the total number of guests accommodated on this occasion was 335. The official opening ceremony was held on the 3rd and 4th November, 1929, when invited guests from all parts of the Dominion assembled. The number on this occasion was 230. The speeches were made from the balcony in front of the main entrance portico on the afternoon of the 4th November, after which the Chairman of the Board (Mr. J. B. Thompson, C.8.E.), officially unlocked the main entrance doors and declared the Chateau open. An official dinner was held in the evening, and immediately before this function there unveiled a memorial tablet dedicated to the memory of the late Te Heuheu Tukino (Horonuku), the great Maori chief who gave to the nation the principal mountain peaks which may rightly be referred to, in the words of the Chairman, as " the jewels of the park." The tablet is erected in the main entrance of the Chateau, and the inscription upon it reads as follows :— Dedicated by the Tongariro National Park Board to the memory of Te Heuheu Tukino (Horonuku), Who presented to the Crown the Mountain Peaks Tongariro, Ngauruhoe, and part of Ruapehu, thus forming the nucleus of the National Park. Ko Tongariro Te Maunga; Ko Taupo Te Moana; Ko Te Heuheu Te Tangata. It is gratifying to record that present at this ceremony were a number of the relatives and descendants of this great chief. Commencing from the opening day there has been a continuous stream of visitors to the rjark, and the advice received from the company is to the effect that the forecast of the number of visitors has been exceeded. This is a clear indication that the people of New Zealand and tourists from overseas are amply satisfied with the excellent accommodation and services which are being provided by the company under their lease from the Board. With respect to outdoor attractions, apart from the mountain-climbing and bush walks, the company has laid down an eighteen-hole golf-course. The grass on the links has taken very well, and a good turf should be established. When the links are in order for play this will be a very valuable attraction to the park. Tennis-courts, bowling-greens, and a croquet-lawn are also being provided for the enjoyment of visitors. In conjunction with the Chateau, lodge accommodation is provided by the company for the convenience of visitors. Guests in the lodges have their meals in the dining-room of the Chateau and have the use of all the facilities provided in the main building. In regard to the old-time hut accommodation this is still available at Ohakune, Waihohonu, and Mangatepopo. The original huts at Whakapapa have been much improved, and during the building of the Chateau portion of this accommodation was utilized by the management. Now that the building programme has been completed and affairs are reaching a normal level at Whakapapa, the company has arranged to make hut accommodation available for those parties desirous of providing their own meals, &c. Camping parties have also visited the park in large numbers, and were, able to obtain from the company's store any supplies required. It is the intention of the company to provide a proper campingground with water laid on and other conveniences. It will be seen from the foregoing that the Board and the company are endeavouring to cater for all requirements, and there is no reason why all classes of the community should not be able to take advantage of this health-giving holiday resort. Bruce Eoad. The traffic on the Bruce Road in connection with the erection of the Chateau and the conveyance of visitors thereto has been very heavy during the past year. In February last the Main Highways Board decided to recommend that this road should be declared a main highway, and the proposal was approved by the Government. The Order in Council declaring the road to be a main highway within the meaning and for the purposes of the Main Highways Act, 1922, was issued on the 19th February, 1930. As the Main Highways Board will now carry on the maintenance work the Board decided to revoke the by-law imposing a toll charge for horses and vehicles, and a formal resolution revoking the by-law as from the 20th February, 1930, was duly passed. The new arrangement has been much appreciated by the public. The collection of tolls occupied a good deal of the Ranger's time, and, being now relieved of this work, more time is available for ranging and other duties in the park. The erection of a permanent two-car bridge over the Whakapapanui River is now required to complete the work on this road. Plans for the construction of this bridge are now under way, and it is hoped to have the work put in hand at no distant date.