C.—lo.

" On being informed early in March that a further grant of £600 had been made by the Hon. F. Langstone, Minister of Lands, members of the Grounds Committee proceeded to deal with other items on the list of other necessary works. " Shelter on the Pass.—lnvestigations led the Committee to select a site quite close to the highway and about 200 yards west of the Divide. The locality is well sheltered from all winds, while the building would be scarcely visible from the road. Plans and specifications have been drawn up for a suitable shelter 20 ft. by 14 ft., with stone ends, and an estimate obtained of the cost. It is desirable that the erection of this shelter should be proceeded with immediately. " Kelly's Range Hut.—As the Board will understand, there is a great lack of labour offering for casual work such as this, as well as for track-making. Men who formerly could be readily procured are now engaged in more permanent positions. Your Committee has approached the Grey Alpine Club and the Westland Tramping Club concerning this hut, and is pleased to report that both these clubs have expressed their willingness to help in the way of transporting material to the tops. All that now remains is to decide on cost, and to secure the services of a suitable builder. " Tracks.—Two new tracks were recommended by the Committee, one being an alternate approach to Avalanche Peak and the other ascending Mount Aitken from near the Punchbowl. " It is pleasing to record that in spite of the rains, our honorary Ranger, Mr. R. Scott, has devoted considerable time and energy to roughly fofming a graded track to Avalanche Peak. Already negotiable for quite half the distance from highway to tussock-land, this track opens up some new and pleasant prospects across the pass towards the West Coast. Throughout the work, Mr. Scott has been very loyally and effectively aided by Mrs. Scott. In this self-help policy, both of them have shown a spiritwell worthy of emulation by others, and one that calls for recognition by both the Board and the general public. The Committee is endeavouring to secure a suitable workman to carry out the benching and heavier cutting necessary to consummate the labour so enthusiastically undertaken by Mr. and Mrs. Scott. " Guide-poles on Mountains.—The Committee is of the opinion that this matter would be better left in the hands of the various Mountaineering Clubs, who could choose the sites for the poles and help to place them in position, while the cost could be borne by the Board. " Foot-bridge over Upper Bealey River.—Recent inspection of this structure showed that the decking was perishing, rendering it unsafe for traffic. A notice has been posted to this effect, and negotiations entered into with suitable workmen to put new beams into position without delay. ' L Depredations by Animals.—Good work in killing off deer and chamois has continued. In December the Internal Affairs Department asked the Board to co-operate with Captain Yerex in his campaign by issuing no further permits to shoot within the Park until April. This would enable him more effectively to plan his operations, and I understand he is obtaining good results. " Highway within the Parle.—Steady improvements continue to be carried out by the Highways Board, more particularly in that portion between the township and the Waimakariri Flat, and in the extensive deviation near Kelly's Creek, where railway crossings are being eliminated. The road surface within the Park is kept in good repair. " Ground Markings.—The concrete milestones have now been placed in position, and a notice, similar to that at the Bealey, but defining the western boundary of the Park, has been erected. " Relevant notices regarding tracks and regulations are now erected throughout the Park adjacent to the main highway."

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