C.—lo

Scoria Flat Road. The most outstanding work during the year has been the improvement of the road to the Lower Scoria Plat and the commencement of the construction of the road to the Salt Hut on Upper Scoria Flat. This road is now formed to the edge of Upper Scoria Flat, about 500 to 600 yards from the Salt Hut, and an effort is being made to metal the mile of new road before the winter. The road should be finished next summer. The funds for this work are being provided by the Government. Fire-prevention Measures. A full report on this question has been prepared by officers of the State Forest Service, and the matter has been referred to a sub-committee of Wellington members to look into with a view to determining what action the Board can take, having due regard to the financial resources of the Board. In the Ohakune sector particular attention is being given to the measures necessary to protect the bush adjoining the Ohakune Development Block. Deer-destruction Operations. In December, 1938, the Department of Internal Affairs advised of the difficulty in securing suitable men to carry out deer-destruction operations in the various parts of the Dominion needing attention, and that* it had been found necessary to abandon the intention to resume operations in the park during the 1938 season. The Department is looking into the question of operating in the park in the spring of this year in conjunction with another campaign in the Kaimanawa Ranges. In the meantime, authority has been issued to several members of the Chateau staff to destroy deer under the direct supervision of the Manager at the Chateau. Place-names in the Park. At the last meeting of the Board the question of place-names was discussed, and a committee was appointed comprising the Warden of the park (Mr. J. Cullen) and Hoani te Heuheu to compile information as to place-names and historical events connected with the park. In 1931 the Warden prepared a list of the Maori names of features of interest near the Chateau, and the late Mr. T. W. Dowries, of Wanganui, also supplied some interesting information in 1938. The data collected in this respect will be of value to the Geographic Board in confirming names of physical features and localities which will appear on further official maps of the National Park. Mountain Club Huts. Tn 1935 authority was granted to the Ruapehu Ski Club to erect a mountain hut on the northern slopes of Ruapehu at approximately the 6,000 ft. level and situated near the foot of the Whakapapa Glacier. One of the conditions laid down by the Board was that the sleeping-accommodation in the hut must not exceed twelve bunks. Representations have now been received from this club pointing out that the growth if ski-ing in the last few years has naturally been reflected in the membership of clubs and that the membership of the Ruapehu Ski Club has almost doubled since the present hut was planned. The club desires to provide further accommodation for its members, and has applied for authority to extend the hut to provide further shelter space and an additional twenty-four bunks. The Alpine Sports Club desires to erect a hut on the eastern, slopes of Ruapehu. The site desired is in the valley of the Wangaehu Stream at a height of approximately 5,500 ft. about five miles and a half from the Waiouru-Tokaanu Road and about 6 miles in a direct line from the Waihohonu Hut. The purpose of the hut is to serve as a base for climbing the eastern side of Ruapehu, giving access to the Wangaehu, Wahianoa, and Waikato Glaciers and the ridges leading to Ringatoto, Cathedral Rocks, and Te Heu Heu Peaks. The Club states in further support of the application that it would also make possible a trip round the mountain at the 5,000 ft. level, leaving the Chateau via the poled line to Ohakune Hut, thence to the proposed Wangaehu Hut, and thence to the Chateau. A further type of trip which the club hopes such a hut would serve is the winter ski tour between the Chateau or Salt Hut and the Wangaehu, there being excellent ski-ing fields between these two places. Mr. Marchant gave notice of motion at the last meeting of the Board as follows :— " That the resolution of the Board laying down the policy with respect to the minimum elevation of mountain-club huts be amended in such a manner as to define the area in the park for the 5,000 ft. limit, and that the limit for the balance of the park be 3,000 ft. The 5,000 ft. area be defined by a line from Para-te-tai-tonga through Hauhangatahi to the main road, thence along the main road to a line passing through Ngauruhoe to Te Heu Heu, and thence back to Para-te-tai-tonga." The matters referred to herein will be considered at the next meeting of the Board. Ski Tow, Scoria Flat. A ski tow has been constructed by the Public Works Department out of moneys provided by the Tourist Department. The tow is situated on a site several hundred yards above the Salt Hut. Trial runs were made with varying numbers of passengers, and the machine operated very satisfactorily. The tow should be a boon to those visiting the park for the winter sports.

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