C.—10.

enjoyment of the Park this year. The Railways Department are proceeding with the construction of a combined tennis-court and skating-rink, and have called for the Board's subsidy of £25. The Dobson Memorial has not been heard of recently. The handbook on the Park, edited and published by Mr. R. S. Odell, has proved an attractive and well-turned-out publication. Petty vandalism continues, and puts the Board to the expense of renewing track signs. The work of widening and improving the road between the Pass and the new bridge is proceeding apace under the aegis of the Public "Works Department. The Board's application to have the Lake Kaurapataka region brought within its jurisdiction has not yet been acceded to. The Ranger has submitted his annual report, which is available to the Board. His recommendations include: That the road through the township should be tar-sealed; that a motor speed limit should be fixed for the township; that Section 53a be withdrawn from among available building-sites and reserved for access purposes; that tobogganing at Daisy Flat should be prohibited. The following report is submitted by Dr. William McKay as Chairman of the Grounds Committee: — The lack of funds at the disposal of the Board has made it inadvisable to recommend new works involving any great expenditure. The Grounds Committee has concentrated chiefly upon the cleaning-up and improvement of the township, and has co-operated in the scheme of tree and shrub planting and the construction of rockery plots at the railwaystation. Township Planning.—Your Committee during the year drew up a scheme of proposed regulations relating to lay-out, improvements, and general management of the township. Such of these proposals as were approved by the Board have been put into operation, so that already considerable improvement in the appearance of the place has resulted. Residents have shown a commendable willingness to assist the Board in these matters. Horticultural. —The Committee co-operated with Mr. M. J. Barnett in laying out the rockery plots at the Arthur's Pass Railway-station, and in collecting suitable plant material with which to furnish them. The plantations on the commonage continue to thrive, and will soon much enhance the outlook in the neighbourhood. The Committee wishes to express its appreciation of the keen interest displayed by Mr. Barnett in this work and by his willingness at all times to assist. Illegal Cutting of Timber.—The action of the Board in dealing with certain offenders has had a most salutary effect in conserving standing forest near the township. Complaints as to the destruction, for firewood, of trees on the Waimakariri Flat were received, but the appointment of Mr. Ritchie, of Public Works Department, as an Honorary Ranger proved very effective in preventing further damage. He is to be commended for his efforts, and it is hoped that the loss caused by his transfer from the district will be remedied by the appointment of another Honorary Ranger. Highway within Township.—Mr. Trevor-Smith, Public Works Department Engineer, visited the Park in company with members of the Committee in order to inspect and discuss various matters affecting the improvement of the highway. As a result the Department gave instructions for the roadway to be widened to 20 ft. through the township, and a culvert to be put in where water often collects. This work and a levelling of the road margins is already giving a more pleasing appearance to the surroundings. The Grounds Committee again wish to thank Mr. Trevor-Smith for his help and kindly advice throughout the year. Other Portions of Highway.—A first-class new ferro-concrete bridge over Kelly's Creek has been completed, while the new structure over McGrath's Creek is proving a great boon. The road through Otira Gorge has never been in better order, a fact well appreciated by the motoring public, as six hundred cars went over it in the space of two months during the summer. These figures will be greatly increased when the new bridge over the Waimakariri is finished. Old Buildings, c&c.—The last of the unsightly tin sheds on the Railway Reserve which were purchased by the Board have been demolished. Several advertising signs of a glaring nature, which were placed too near the roadway, have been removed. Wandering Stock.—These have again been a source of trouble near the township. If measures already taken do not prove effective, it may be necessary to erect a cattle-stop near Halpins Creek, at an estimated cost of about £20. Tracks. —These are in very good order, and so far have given little trouble to maintain. Our Honorary Ranger, Mr. W. Fraser, of Otira, has recently been over those on the western side of the range and reports favourably on them. Depredations by Animals. —Recent reports by honarary rangers and other experienced mountaineers confirm the statements made last September to the effect that most extensive damage is being done by deer in the Mingha and Edward Valleys. The forest on every hand shows signs of denudation of the bark of trees, while the seedlings and the forest floor are being damaged or actually destroyed. Chamois are still seen in herds numbering sometimes up to as many as fifteen, in spite of the fact that many are shot both by visiting and resident sportsmen. Resident Ranger.—The Committee wishes to record appreciation of the efforts of our Ranger, Mr. C. E. Warden, whose advice and assistance are always at the disposal of visitors. In addition to his ordinary duties he has carried out useful work in the way of designing and erecting warning and guiding sign-posts where required. Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given ; printing (684 copies), £7 10s.

By Authority: G. H. Loney, Government Printer, Wellington. —1936.

Price 6d.]

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