action should be delayed until such a state of affairs is reached, it will then be too late to apply an effective remedy, and the Tongariro National Park will cease to be representative of New Zealand. No conclusions were drawn by the Heather Committee in framing the report, and cannot justly be drawn by others. Road Making.—A much more serious menace than the choking of the native vegetation by heather is the proposal to sacrifice a two chain width of forest at Olakune as a preliminary to the construction of a motor road from Ohakune up the Mountain. It was suggested that the sale of timber from such a strip would aid in making the road. Such a width of road would necessitate perpetual vigilance to keep the second growth down, and if not kept clear the view of the forest would be obscured. A committee of the Board visited the site in winter, and found the track knee deep in mud in places, which is good argument for improving the track, but not for making a road. The Annual Report of the Board states that £161/12/- was expended on the Ohakune Track. The work consisted in straightening and shortening the route. This entailed much cutting, clearing and formation, and the erection of several small bridges, and laying down 30 chains of corduroying. The Institute's Standing Committee passed the following resolution:— “That the New Zealand Institute opposes any suggestion for widening the track from Ohakune to the Ohakune Hut, but suggests that the track from Ohakune Junction through the Podocarp forest be improved without sacrificing any of the timber trees.” I am of opinion that this Institute should pass a very strong resolution with the view of awakening public opinion to demand that no more timber trees may be sacrificed than is absolutely necessary in making tracks, and I consider that no timber trees should be felled unless certified to as necessary by a competent committee which should be appointed. The whole matter of the proposed road has been referred to a meeting of the full Board to be held at the Park early in the New Year. It is satisfactory to report that matters are satisfactorily advancing towards the erection of an adequate Hostel for the accommodation of visitors to the Park, and that the Bruce Trustees, with characteristic generosity, have made a donation of £500 towards the erection, which will carry a Government subsidy of a like amount. (Signed)B. C. Aston. On the motion of the President the above report was adopted. Representative on Park Board.—On the motion of Professor Park seconded by Professor Worley it was resolved that Mr. B. C. Aston be elected as representative of the Institute on the Park Board. Report of the Institute's Representative on the New Zealand Institute of Horticulture. This Institute is continuing the work mentioned in my last report. The passage of an Act of Parliament last Session giving among other things to the Institute power to grant diplomas should strengthen its position as the New Zealand authority on Horticultural matters. An interesting Bulletin, of which Mr. Gilbert Archey is the Editor, is published dealing with horticultural matters. I brought the matter of Dr. A. W. Hill's projected visit to New Zealand before the Committee at the July meeting. The matter was at once taken up enthusiastically, and suitable receptions have been arranged. It is to be hoped that Dr. Hill, as a representative of the British Man of Science, will have time to meet members of the Board of the New Zealand Institute at the Annual Meeting. Meetings of the Sub-committee to consider the establishment of a National Botanical Garden were attended by me and a report prepared. It is to be hoped that details of the progress made with the Wilton's Bush scheme will show that efforts are being made to carry out the high ideals expressed at the opening last year.