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The Tongariro, Egmont, and Peel Forest Parks are controlled by special Boards appointed under the provisions of the Tongariro National Park Act, 1922, the Egmont National Park Act, 1924, the Peel Forest Act, .1926, and Part 111 of the Public Reserves, Domains, and National Parks Act, 1928, respectively. The greater part of Tasman Park and the whole of the Hooker Glacier and Godley Glacier areas are administered under the Tourist and Health Resorts Control Act, 1908, while the other areas are administered under the provisions of Part I of the Public Reserves, Domains, and National Parks Act, 1928. The general principle underlying the administration of our national parks is [that the parks are established for the well-being of the nation and are to be preserved so far as is humanly possible in their natural state so that the people may receive in full measure the inspiration and benefits that mountains, forests, lakes, and rivers have it in their power to give. Commercialism has no place in the setting-aside of national parks and but little in their administration, for, while it is necessary and desirable to provide adequate facilities for the public to visit and enjoy them, the aim has always been to retain public ownership and control, and to prevent the growth, of vested interests within the national reserves. The parks are becoming more widely known year by year, and are fulfilling in an ever-increasing measure the important purpose of providing extensive tracts of virgin country for the use and enjoyment of the general public. The Park Boards are displaying good judgment in the management and administration of the areas under their control, and the various mountain clubs and other kindred associations throughout the Dominion are showing a keen and sympathetic interest in national-park matters, and are performing a valuable work in helping to create a healthy public opinion directed towards the safeguarding of the parks. No new parks were constituted during the year, but an area of 29,400 acres in the Taramakau Valley was approved for addition to the Arthur Pass National Park. The area comprises 11,110 acres of Crown land and 18,290 acres of State forest. A patrolman was engaged to control camping on the areas along the new Te Anau - Milford Sound Road and to generally supervise the reserve there. The road is very popular with touring motorists, and some £56 was collected in camping-fees during the season. During the early summer fires having their origin in adjoining pastoral country spread to the boundaries of the park, but, fortunately, no damage was done to the bush. Deer continue to be a grave menace to the forests of the park. During the season deer-destruction parties under the Internal Affairs Department were operating in portions of the park, and consequently no permits were issued by this Department to deer-stalkers. Extracts from the annual reports of the Tongariro, Egmont, and Arthur Pass National Park Boards are appended hereto.

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