C.—lo.

APPENDIX.

REPORTS OF NATIONAL PARK BOARDS. TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK BOARD. (W. Robektson, Under-Secretary for Lands, Chairman.) The Chateau. In the report for the previous year it was stated that the leases to the Tongariro Park Tourist Co., Ltd., and chattels, which were covered by the Board's securities, were bought in at auction, and that the Board was in full possession of the Chateau and other buildings subject to the loan charges with respect to the money borrowed from the Public Trustee. The Board carried on the administration of the Chateau and other buildings until the 11th November, 1931, when the control thereof was vested in the Department of Industries and Commerce, Tourist, and Publicity by the passing of section 19 of the Reserves and other Lands Disposal Act, 1931. This Act brought under the provisions of the Tourist and Health Resorts Control Act, 1908, the following areas of land which were formerly held under the leases issued to the Tongariro Park Tourist Co., Ltd. : — (1) 145 acres 1 rood 6 perches, comprising the sites occupied by the Chateau and other buildings at Whakapapa and the golf-links. (2) 2 roods, being the Mangatepopo Huts site. (3) 2 acres and 36 perches, being the Ohakune Hut site. (4) 2 roods, being the Waiholionu Hut site. In addition an area of 5 acres at the back of the Whakapapa Huts and on the road to Scoria Flat, Mount Ruapehu, is being brought under the operation of the Tourist and Health Resorts Control Act, 1908, by Order in Council, the Board having declared by resolution dated the 18th March last and passed pursuant to section 19, subsection (6), of the Reserves and other Lands Disposal Act, 1931, that the said area is required for the purpose of providing a camping-ground. The area under the control and jurisdiction of the Department of Industries and Commerce, Tourist, and Publicity thus comprises 153 acres 2 roods 2 perches of the total area of 150,000 acres comprised in the park. The chattels belonging to the Board and used in connection with the Chateau and other buildings have been assigned to and vested in the Crown pursuant to subsection (4) of the said section 19, with the exception of certain gear and tools previously in the possession of the ranger. The ranger's hut at Whakapapa remains the property of the Board. In reporting on the details of administration of the Chateau during the Board's period of control —viz., 20th February to 11th November, 1931 —the Manager, Mr. R. Cobbe, expressed the view that the Chateau was becoming increasingly popular with the travelling public, and a noticeable feature has been the constantly recurring visits of many guests. With a return to better economic conditions, it is anticipated that there will be a considerable increase in business, as the park has a wide appeal as a holiday resort to those who live in cities by the sea. Camping-ground at Whakapapa. As before stated, an area of 5 acres at Whakapapa situated at the back of the huts and adjoining the road leading' to Scoria Flat is being set apart for the purposes of providing a public campingground, and the development and control of this area will be in the hands of the Tourist Department as an adjunct to the Chateau. The establishment of a camping-ground in this locality should prove a great convenience to motorists and others who prefer camp-life when on holiday from the cities. Mountain Hut on Ruapehu. A hut on Upper Scoria Flat, Mount Ruapehu, was erected during the year, and serves as a base for the winter sports. The site overlooks the ski-ing grounds, and the main runway for the ski-ing races is in front of the hut. The altitude of the site is 5,800 ft. above sea-level, and fine views of Mount Egmont may be obtained at times. The hut is built of heart of rimu timber, and rocks laced to the foundations hold the structure in position. The hut has a coal stove for heating purposes, and is stocked with reserve equipment, stores, and a medical outfit. In erecting the hut the transportation of materials to the site involved great difficulties, but sledges, pack-horses, and man-power were pressed into service, and this, coupled with the zeal and energy of the Manager at the Chateau and his staff, enabled the transport work to be completed in three weeks. Weather conditions for the actual building operations were very bad, ice frequently coating everything, and the autumn blizzards often drove the builders to shelter. The erection of the building under such conditions is a feat that is deserving of high praise. A. track has been constructed from the Chateau to the hut. The bequest under the will of the late Mr. W. Salt (a former member of the Board) amounting to £100 was applied towards the cost of erecting this hut.

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