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PART lI.—NATIONAL PARKS Our national park areas, some of the Dominions greatest scenic and recreational assets, have been efficiently administered by the various controlling authorities. Since the war ended plans for further extensive development have been drawn up and put into effect wherever possible. Labour shortages and difficulty in obtaining materials have been retarding factors. A grant of £2,500 was made to the Tongariro National Park Board to enable permanent accommodation to be provided for a ranger, and an annual grant of £BOO for expenses of management has also been approved. Repairs to some of the tracks have been effected, and deer-culling is being undertaken by the Wildlife Branch of the Internal Affairs Department. An area of 574 acres at Torrent Bay has been purchased, at a cost of £2OO, for addition to the Abel Tasman National Park, bringing the total area of the Park to 38,386 acres. During the year the Egmont National Park Board carried out maintenance works and proceeded with its improvement scheme. The Government grant to the Board on the basis of £2 for every £1 contributed by the local bodies amounted to £2,358 Bs. lOd. These funds are used for general administration purposes.

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