C.—lo.

Winter Spouts and Excursions to the Park. The annual winter sports competitions were held towards the end of August, 1931, and were well organized by the officials in charge. About three hundred visitors arrived to find snow conditions excellent, and some fine exhibitions of ski-ing were given by various members of the mountaineering clubs. The following clubs have very kindly submitted short accounts of visits by their members to the park during the year under review : — Ruapehu Ski Club (Inc.), (W. S. Rennie, Honorary Secretary). — The nineteenth annual winter sports excursion of the Ruapehu Ski Club (Inc.) to the Tongariro National Park was held from the 21st August to the Ist September, 1931. The visit to the park on this occasion will ever be remembered by the members of the party. Excellent weather and snow conditions at the commencement, together with enthusiastic ski-ing activities, augured well for the success of the 1931 winter gathering. The comprehensive ski sports programme, copies of which had previously been circulated to members, and to kindred clubs, provided for a tournament of two days' duration. However, on arrival at the park the programme was extended to three days in order to allow the competitors longer intervals between the principal events. The entries for the Third Amateur Ski-ing Championship of New -Zealand and for the open and club events gave an indication that very keen contests would be witnessed. But there is an old saying—" the best laid plans " —and, unfortunately, it was not possible to carry out our plans successfully. The first day's programme included the New Zealand Langlauf (or Cross-country) Championship, which was won by R. Syme, Hawera (100 points) ; with R. C. Murie, Wellington (99-45 points), second ; and R. Allan, New Plymouth (98-36 points), third. Owing to the very sad passing-away of a most popular and promising lady member, as the result of pneumonic influenza contracted prior to joining the party, the events for the following day were postponed. On resuming, considerable interest was created by the inclusion for the first time of an interclub teams' down-hill race, and five clubs competed, the event being won by the Ruapehu Ski Club team. The New Zealand Slalom Championship resulted as follows: R. C. Murie (100 points), first; T. R. Marks, Taumarunui (71-69 points), second; and R. Syme (70-40 points), third. On Saturday, owing to blizzard conditions arising after the men's slalom events, the tournament had to be postponed and. finally abandoned. For this reason it was not possible to run the remainder of the men's events, and it became necessary to award the New Zealand championship title, and also the club championship to the competitor with the highest total points in the combined langlauf and slalom races. The final results were : Mr. Murie, first; Mr. Syme, second ; and Mr. Marks, third. The members of the party took an active part throughout the organizing and the search for the party of Auckland University College Field and Alpine Club members who were reported missing after a climb of Mount Ruapeliu, mainly as the result of the blizzard conditions which necessitated the postponement of the ski sports tournament. Trips to the ski-grounds were the main feature of the visit, and for the third year in succession the club was unable to undertake the usual winter climb of Mount Ruapehu. During the year members of the club visited the Waihohonu, Mangatepopo, Whakapapa, and Ohakune huts for climbing and exploration purposes. Tararua Tramping Club (Inc.), (A. N. Smith, Honorary Secretary). —Our annual winter trip to the park took place again last August, members of the Hutt Valley and Wairarapa Clubs combining with us on this occasion. The trip started off auspiciously, ski-ing and tramping being indulged in every day of the first week. Members of the party also competed with some success in the sports arranged by the Ruapehu Ski Club. Owing, however, to the misfortune which befell the party from the Auckland University Field Club, the latter part of the holiday was spent by all who were able in assisting both in the search parties and at the Chateau. As a consequence, our Club Ski-ing Championship race was of necessity postponed until this year. Another party of our members visited the patk at Christmas, completing an enjoyable trip at the Chateau after tramping from Ongarue to Tokaanu and thence via the Pononga Saddle to Ketetahi and Waihohonu, and climbing the three mountains en route. The Alpine Sports Club (Inc.), (W. Laird Thomson, Secretary). — Easter, 1931: During the period under review, Ist April, 1931, to 31st March, 1932, the Alpine Sports Club of Auckland was responsible for three tours to the Tongariro National Park. At Easter, 1931, a party visited the Ohakune side of Ruapehu. making their base the Ohakune Hut. Some inclement weather was experienced during the trip. Ascents were made of Ruapehu and Girdlestone Peak ; and tramping tours to various points of scenic interest in the locality of the hut were also accomplished. Winter sports trip : A highly successful winter sports trip was arranged for a week from the 16th August. Glorious weather was a feature, and a large party was accommodated in the lodge building of the Chateau. Much instruction in ski-ing was given to members during the stay, and advantage was also taken for climbing parties to make ascents to the summits of each of the mountains —Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe, and Tongariro —the ascent of the last named being the first during the winter season. The Salt Hut, which was the base for many of the ski-ing expeditions, was found to be a very convenient rendezvous, and was favourably commented upon by all present. Visits also were made to the Tama Lakes and other points of interest. The party was particularly pleased with the arrangements and general facilities organized at the Chateau. Christmas-New Year, 1931-32: Another very successful mountaineering tour was made to the Ohakune Hut in the summer vacation season. Much good climbing was accomplished, including several ascents by difficult routes and visits to the more usual localities. A high camp near the

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