TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1929 Session I, C-13

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1929. NEW ZEALAND.

TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK. ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

Sir, — Department of Lands and Survey, Wellington, 21st June, 1929. I have the honour to submit to you the report of the Tongariro National Park Board, covering its operations during the year ended 31st March, 1929. I have, &c., J. B. Thompson, Chairman, Tongariro National Park Board. The Hon. G. W. Forbes, Minister of Lands.

REPORT. The number of visitors to Whakapapa and the outlying huts during the past year has again demonstrated the growing popularity of the park. Situated in a central position in the North Island and within a few miles from the Main Trunk Railway, it may truly be said that this health-giving and interesting locality is destined to become one of the most popular resorts for the people of New Zealand and visitors from overseas. As an indication that New Zealand's efforts to permanently dedicate and preserve national reserves of this nature is appreciated in Great Britain, it is pleasing to quote the following extract from a speech delivered at the St. David's Day Banquet at Cardiff on the Ist March, 1927, by the Right Hon. Stanley Baldwin : " You have a beautiful country in Wales. Don't let strangers spoil it for you, and don't spoil it yourselves. Educate public opinion ; educate your local authorities ; and bear in mind the example of New Zealand, a new country with a small population, which is already scheduling a magnificent region in the North Island and reserving it for all time as a national park. That is a wise economy of nature." It is fitting at this point to refer to the gift by the late Te Heuheu Tukino (Horonuku) of 6,500 acres of land embracing the principal peaks and forming the nucleus of the present park area of 150,000 acres. The gratitude of the people of New Zealand is due to this great chief for his generosity and earnest desire to see these beautiful mountains reserved for all time as a national park. Accommodation fob Visitors. As indicated in last year's report, the Board in formulating a building programme for Whakapapa was still hopeful that it would be successful in securing an applicant for the franchise offered for public application in 1926. In this connection it is satisfactory to be able to report that a New Zealand company was formed under the name of " The Tongariro Park Tourist Company, Limited," and the Board, with the approval of the Government, granted a lease to the company under the powers conferred by section 18 of the Tongariro National Park Act, 1922.

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Lease op Hostel and Hut Sites. The lease referred to in the previous paragraph is for a term of forty-two years from the Ist December, 1928, and covers the following areas : No. 1 area, 57 acres 3 roods 30 perches, Hostel site at Whakapapa ; No. 2 area, 1 acre 3 roods 17 perches, Whakapapa Huts site ; No. 3 area, 2 roods, Mangatepopo Huts site ; No. 4 area, 2 acres and 36 perches, Ohakune Hut site ; No. 5 area, 2 roods, Waihohonu Hut site. Total area leased, 63 acres and 3 perches. The following references to the principal provisions of the lease are of interest:— (a) In addition to a fixed annual rental, the Board is to receive a percentage on the gross receipts accruing to the lessee in respect of the operation of the rights and privileges conferred by the lease. (b) During the continuance of the lease the lessee (being a company) shall not wittingly issue shares, or wittingly permit the registration of any transfer by any shareholder, of any of its shares to any person who is not a British subject, or to any company which is not incorporated and having its head office in New Zealand. (c) Lessee to erect a hostel and other buildings to cost not less than £40,000 ; the plans and site of buildings to be approved by the Board. (d) Lessee to take over from the Board the existing huts and maintain and conduct such buildings as hut or cottage accommodation, and to increase such accommodation as may be reasonably required from time to time. (e) Lessor may provide shelter-huts or mountain houses for the protection of visitors (without charge) at an altitude exceeding 5,000 ft., and may grant sites and facilities to sports clubs, &c., at an altitude exceeding 5,000 ft. but without the right to such clubs to make any charge for the use of such accommodation, except such as may be agreed upon between the lessee and lessor. (/) Charges for accommodation and other services rendered are to be approved by the Board. (g) Should the erection of a further hostel or other buildings become necessary a further lease of sufficient land is to be offered to the lessee, but if the lessee fails to take up such lease then the lessor is at liberty to either erect such buildings or grant a lease to any other person or company. This provision, however, has no application during the first ten years or the last ten years of the term. (h) The right is reserved to the lessor or its licensees to enter upon any of the leased land and construct landing and parking grounds for airships, aeroplanes, and other machines propelled in the air, and to erect hangars, &c., and to collect fees for such facilities, but not so as to interfere with any buildings of the lessee, and making good to the lessee all damage done. (i) Lessor to have the right at any time after the expiration of the first twenty-one years to resume possession upon payment of the value of all permanent improvements made by the lessee and the value of the goodwill or interest of the lessee in the unexpired term of the lease. (j) On the expiration of the lease the lessor may retain direct control and pay to the lessee the value of improvements. If, however, a new lease is offered by public tender the incoming lessee is to pay the outgoing lessee the value of improvements. The Lodge. To meet the urgent demand for improved accommodation at Whakapapa the company in taking over in December last immediately erected lodges with two-bed cubicles, dining-room, and necessary conveniences. Ihe accommodation provided was excellent, and has been much appreciated by visitors and tourists to the park. The Chateau. The main building which is being erected by the company at Whakapapa has been named " The Chateau, and when completed in all its details will comprise a handsome structure with magnificent views of the mountains, the native bush, and the wide plains to the northward. It will provide accommodation for 150 guests exclusive of the " lodges," which will also provide for another 100 guests. The site chosen for the building is a sunny spur of Mount Ruapehu, and is ideally situated to give easy access to the bush walks and to the snow slopes for winter sports. This site is 3,800 ft. above sea-level The position of the large lounge is particularly successful in that from its windows the sacred mountain, Tongariro, the graceful cone-shaped active volcano, Ngauruhoe, and the fine snow-clad slopes of Mount Ruapehu will be seen. A special plate-glass window, 10 ft. square, is well placed at the east end of the lounge to allow a complete view of Mount Ngauruhoe. Visitors from abroad who have recently seen the view from this window state that the sight is unequalled. In arranging the general layout a basement was decided upon and the main reception-rooms placed above. The mam entrance is therefore raised 10 ft, above the ground-level, and is approached by a circular roadway rising from the natural grade. This roadway is to be flanked by a series of electric-lamp standards, and when completed will make a fine massive entrance to the building. The entrance portico, with its stone columns, and so arranged to give a view of mountain and bush at either end, is another successful feature of the building. A brief statement of the accommodation provided may be of interest: The basement, which covers most of the site, is approachable from the main vestibule, also from the service stairway, and faces upon a courtyard at the western end of the building. In this basement are placed the men s toilet-rooms, games-rooms,- gymnasium, alpine-equipment rooms, cafeteria for

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picnic parties, barber's shop, photographic room, and cinema for 120 people. The large steam plant is placed here also, and a drying-room for general use. The front portion of the basement overlooking the plains to the north has been designed as a sun-porch and sports-pavilion. The ground floor contains the main reception-rooms, offices, and kitchen department. The offices contain four rooms, and these open on to the entrance vestibule, which will be handsomely finished with a mosaic floor. The special feature of this floor is the large lounge, over 80 ft. square, and being large enough to accommodate all guests and visitors both of the Chateau and lodges. The central portion of this lounge is occupied by a parquetry dancing-floor. The lounge, which is the special feature of the interior of the building, is happily placed to give, through its large plate windows, splendid views of mountains, bush, and plain. Special thought has been given so that the various views should not be masked by any other portion of the building. One bay of the lounge is arranged as a writing and bridge room. Bedroom floors : The first and second floors are identical in arrangement and design. The staircase from one floor to another has been made an architectural feature. These floors have each thirtytwo bedrooms and eighteen bathrooms. On the front and western side are the larger rooms with private baths. The eastern wing is arranged with a bath to two rooms, and the Ruapehu wing has several rooms to one bath. The bathrooms are well fitted and finished with either terrazzo or mosaic floors. Attic floor : A steep roof was designed for the building owing to snow conditions, and advantage was taken of the space to provide twenty-eight additional rooms. The rooms are lit by large dormers, which also give an architectural feature to the roof design. These rooms have three sets of lavatory accommodation. The views from these dormer windows are particularly fine. The photograph attached, prepared from a perspective drawing, gives an excellent idea as to what the building will be when completed. The foundation-stone was laid on Saturday, the 16th February, 1929, by the Hon. A. J. Stallwort.hy, Minister of Health, and the building should be completed and ready for the reception of visitors by September or October next. Bruce Road. The motor traffic on this road, consequent upon the transport of building-materials for the erection of the Chateau and the influx of visitors to Whakapapa, has been very heavy during the past year. The temporary bridge over the Whakapapanui has stood up to the heavy loads in an excellent manner, but it will be necessary for a new and permanent bridge to be constructed at an early date. This question is now engaging the attention of the Board. Mangatepopo Road. The question of providing road access to the Mangatepopo Huts is a subject which has engaged the attention of the Board during the year. The cheapest and most direct route to construct starts in at a point on the Waimarino-Tokaanu Road near Sir James Gunson's cottage and proceeds almost due east to the Huts. An alternative route has, however, been suggested running from the termination of the Bruce Road at Whakapapa and proceeding thence towards the Tama Lakes and thence northerly to the Huts. The last-mentioned route is now being surveyed, but, having regard to the class of country to be traversed, it would be much more expensive to contract a road along this line. The whole matter will be fully gone into when plans and construction estimates are finalized, in order that the most suitable route may be adopted having due regard to all the surrounding circumstances. Ohakune Hut and Ohakune Track. Mr. T. A. Blyth reports that 254 people visited the Hut during the year. The Crater Lake last summer was perceptibly warmer than for a few years past. A sum of £25 was spent in repairs to the track during the year, and the work of poling a track from Ohakune Hut to the Mangaturuturu Valley will be undertaken next summer. The Girdlestone Memorial Tablet is in excellent state of preservation. Mr. Blyth completed his hundredth trip to the summit of Ruapehu during Easter, a record of which he may justly be proud. Warden's Report. Mr. John Cullen, 1.5.0., Warden of the park, reports as follows :— " I beg to report that the Under-Secretary, Department of Internal Affairs, gave me twenty-five thousand rainbow trout-fry as a free gift for liberation in streams in the park, and these I had liberated in the Mahuia, Whakapapaiti, Whakapapanui, and Taranaki Streams, free of any expense to 'the Board. The Internal Affairs D&partment, however, notified me that this is the last free supply of fry it will give for liberation in the park. Fishing was fairly good in the park streams last season, as several anglers made good bags, many of the fish landed weighing over 9 lb. I noticed during the summer months that the native birds, which usually are numerous in the Tawhai Bush, between the Mahuia and Whakapapanui Streams, have been comparatively few this last sfeason. The tui and bell-bird are usually plentiful, but were not so last summer. I did not see any pigeons, kakas, long tailed or shining cuckoos during the months of January and February."

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Winter Sports and Excursions to Park. Ruapehu Ski Club. The Ruapehu Ski Club, Incorporated, has supplied the following notes dealing with the visits made by members of the club to the park : — " The club held its sixteenth annual winter sports excursion to the Tongariro National Park from the 21st September to the Ist October. The club, unfortunately, was not able to procure its usual period of about a month earlier, and as a result the party was somewhat smaller than that of the previous year. Nevertheless a holiday highly successful in every respect was spent in the energizing environs of Whakapapa. The weather, although somewhat boisterous for the first three days, turned to fine after a heavy snowfall, and most of the time during the balance of the period was spent in ski-ing practice. Taking advantage of the good snow conditions on the upper Scoria Flat, some of the party made several ski ascents to the club's Glacier Hut (6,000 ft.), experiencing little difficulty with the journeys. Good ski-ing was obtained in the vicinity of the hut, which for the first time on record was completely buried in snow excepting a small portion of one end of the roof, and for the purpose of gaining access to the building a sloping trench 9 ft. deep was cut. " Although the conditions were excellent the usual sports tournament was not held, on account of the smallness of the party. " A mixed party of about twenty made an ascent of Mount Ruapehu under ideal conditions and in company with a, Government cinematographic photographer, whose heavy camera gear some of the members carried to the summit. " The social side of the holiday was well provided for with inipromptu entertainments and dancing, the time-honoured fancy-dress ball being held on the evening prior to breaking-up. " The successful completion of the 1928 party marked an important event in the club's history. By the change from the old order to the new a long and interesting chapter closes ; and, while a number of the pioneer members may by the change be reminded of many enjoyable parties of the past, the club are looking forward with keenness to their association with the Tongariro Park Tourist Co., Ltd., and the facilities the company have provided, and they are also jubilant that their ambitions of nearly twenty years have reached fruition in the erection of ample and up-to-date accommodation at Whakapapa. In November two members of the club guided and assisted a Government Publicity Officer in the making of a cinematographic record of Mounts Ngauruhoe and Tongariro. The camera was taken into the crater of Mount Ngauruhoe for the first time on record, and some excellent film of the activity obtained." Tararua Tramping Club. The Tararua Tramping Club has supplied the following notes dealing with the visits made by members of the club to the park:— " Unfortunately, cold wet weather was again the experience of the August party to Ruapehu, but under the capable leadership of Mr. L. Cross, who annexed the ski-ing shield for the third time, the party had quite an enjoyable time. Since that trip the regime at the park has been changed, all the accommodation now being under the control of the Tongariro Tourist Co., who are erecting a commodious chateau ; and, whilst we realize that such a change was bound to come and -that the park would eventually become the rendezvous of the tourist and motorist, it is with very deep feelings of regret that we now look back on the years that are past, when our parties had Whakapapa to themselves, with their nearest neighbour twelve miles away. However, as ordinary hut accommodation will not be available for this year, we have booked lodge accommodation for a party of thirty from the 23rd August to the 4th September, and although this will be slightly more expensive than in former years, no doubt the extra comfort and absence of work and worry will be added compensations. "We hope that with the departure of the workmen the old hut accommodation will again be open to parties who are willing and able to look after themselves, so that those who are unable to afford the expense necessarily entailed in the provision of the added luxuries of the hostel will still be able to enjoy the beauties and wonders of this great national playground." Finances. Under the powers conferred by the Tongariro National Park Act, 1922, and section 36 of the Finance Act, 1928, the Board arranged to borrow from the Public Trustee the sum of £40,000 at 6 per cent., to be repayable by equal half-yearly instalment of principal and interest over a period of 36| years. The sum so borrowed is being advanced to the Tongariro Park Tourist Co., Ltd., on the like terms as to interest and repayment. The company has given a first mortgage to secure the moneys so advanced, and has agreed to give a bill of sale as collateral security over certain furnishings, fittings, and plant to be placed in the hostel building. The Board is also advancing to the company, on the security of a second mortgage, the sum of £3,750 out of the Board's own funds, which at the 31st March, 1929, stood at the sum of £5,037 os. lid. After allowing for this commitment the sum of £1,287 os. lid. will be available for expenditure on tracks and other necessary works. Attached hereto are statements setting out the financial position of the Board, comprising Statement of Receipts and Payments, Revenue Account, and Balance-sheet.

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The Chateau, Tongariro National Park.

(From a perspective drawing of the building now in course of erection.)

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TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK BOARD. Statement of Receipts and Payments for the Year ended 31st March, 1929. Receipts. £ s. d. Payments. £ s. d. To Balance, Ist April, 1928 .. .. .. 4,360 8 1 By Road-construction—Bruce Road .. .. 10 3 8 Government grant and subsidies .. .. 570 0 0 Ohakune Track improvement .. .. 25 0 0 Proceeds from sale of handbook .. .. 35 16 7 Horse-feed, shoeing, &c. .. .. .. 17 14 9 Sale of lithographs.. .. .. .. 12 6 Maintenance of telephone-line .. .. 26 10 0 Interest on Post Office Savings-bank deposit .. 35 6 4 Expenditure on park equipment .. .. 15 4 10 Interest on fixed deposit, Bank of New Zealand 132 II 3 Maintenance of equipment .. .. .. I. 4 7 Rent from lease to Tongariro Park Tourist Co., Maintenance of buildings .. .. .. 5 116 Ltd. .. .. .. . . , . 37 10 0 Expenses of Board meetings .. .. 12 6 0 Loan, Public Trustee .. .. .. 8,000 0 0 Ranger's salary .. .. .. .. 270 0 0 Park fees— £ s. d. Travelling-expenses .. .. .. 17 9 6 Hut accommodation .. 329 13 0 Secretary's honorarium .. .. .. 25 0 0 Ohakune Hut and Track fees 5 14 0 Treasurer's honorarium .. .. .. 12 0 0 Hire of miscellaneous equipment 316 0 Printing and stationery .. .. .. 15 11 2 Hire of skis .. .. 26 16 6 Postages, telegrams, &c. .. .. .. 14 15 1 Bathhouse receipts .. 4 6 0 Fuel, oil, &c. .. .. .. .. 92 10 6 Bruce Road toll charges .. 77 13 0 Miscellaneous expenditure .. .. 20 6 9 447 18 6 Purchase of lithographs .. .. .. 2 4 0 Advance secured by first mortgage on lease to Tongariro Park Tourist Co., Ltd. .. .. 8,000 0 0 Balance, 31st March, 1929— Cash in Bank of New Zealand— £ s. d. Current account . . .. 651 19 6 Fixed deposit .. .. 2,800 0 0 Cash in Post Office Savingsbank .. .. .. 1,573 11 5 Cash in transit at 31st March, 1928 .. .. .. 11 10 0 5,037 0 11 £13,620 13 3 j £13,620 13 3 Revenue Account for the Year ended 31st March, 1929. Dr. £ s. d. Gr. £ s. d. To Ranger's salary .. .. .. .. 270 0 0 By Government grant for Ranger's salary .. .. 270 0 0 Depreciation .. .. .. .. 213 4 1 Interest on Post Office Savings-bank deposit .. 35 6 4 Expenses of Board meetings .. .. .. 12 6 0 Interest on fixed deposit, Bank of New Zealand .. 125 17 9 Fuel, oil, &c. .. .. .. .. 92 10 6 Profit on sale of lithographs .. .. .. 0 4 6 Horse-feed, shoeing, &c. .. .. .. 25 8 3 Park fees— £ s. d. Maintenance of buildings .. .. .. 4 17 3 Hut accommodation .. 329 13 0 Maintenance of equipment .. .. .. 14 7 Ohakune Hut and Track .. 514 0 Maintenance of telephone-line and apparatus .. 26 10 0 Hire of miscellaneous equipment 316 0 Miscellaneous expenditure .. .. .. 48 14 10 Hire of skis .. .. 26 16 6 Postages, telegrams, &c. .. .. .. 14 15 1 Bathhouse receipts .. 4 6 0 Printing and stationery .. .. .. 13 1 2 Road tolls .. .. 77 13 0 Secretary's honorarium .. .. .. 25 0 0 447 18 6 Treasurer's honorarium .. .. .. 12 0 0 Rent from lease to Tongariro Park Tourist Co., Ltd. 25 0 0 Travelling-expenses .. .. .. .. 1796 Value of complimentary copies of handbook distributed . .. .. .. 3 14 9 Loss on sale of handbooks .. .. .. 0 14 10 Balance transferred to Capital Account.. .. 122 16 3 £904 7 1 £904 7 1

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Capital Account and Balance-sheet as at 31st March, 1929. Capital Account.

Balance-sheet. Liabilities. £ s. d. Assets. £ s. d. Capital Account —Balance at credit .. .. 4,450 15 7 Handbook —Value of stock .. .. .. 432 11 9 Depreciation reserve on buildings and equipment 992 19 4 Lithographs .. .. .. .. 16 0 Public Trustee —Hostel loan .. .. 8,000 0 0 Horse .. .. .. .. 500 Sundry creditors— £ s. d. Advance secured by first mortgage on lease to On open account .. .. 38 11 0 Tongariro Park Tourist Co., Ltd. .. .. 8,000 0 0 .Rents paid in advance .. 12 10 0 Sundry debtors on open account .. .. 10 16 2 51 1 0 Interest accrued but not due— £ s. d. Interest accrued but not due in respect of Hostel loan 32 4 2 On Fixed deposit .. .. 8 11 Hostel loan .. .. 32 4 2 40 5 3 Cash — Bank of New Zealand — Fixed deposit .. .. 2,800 0 0 Current account .. .. 651 19 6 In transit at 31st March, 1929 11 10 0 Post Office Savings-bank .. 1,573 11 5 5,037 0 11 £13,527 0 1 £13,527 0 1 Note. —The buildings are on Crown land, the control and management of which is vested in the Board. J. B. Thompson, Chairman, Tongariro National Park Board. H. Secker, 30th July, 1929. Treasurer, Tongariro National Park Board. I hereby certify that the Revenue Account and Balance-sheet have been duly examined and compared with the relative books and documents submitted for audit, and correctly state the position as disclosed thereby. — G. P. C. Campbell, Controller and Auditor-General.

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation not given; printing (650 copies, including illustration) £10.

Authority : W. A. G. Skinner, Government Printer, Wellington.—l 929.

Price 6d.]

Expenditure {£ d £ Receipts to to 31 f aIch > ended list Total d J d °| 31 e Bt Total. iu ' a8 - March, 1929. luz8 ' March, 1929. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Bruce Road .. .. 6,744 2 0 .. 6,744 2 0 Park buildings taken 1,005 0 0 .. 1,005 0 0 Ohakune Track improve- 522 8 6 25 0 0 547 8 6 over from Tourist ment Department Telephone-line construc- 255 10 6; .. 255 10 6 ! Park equipment taken 44 16 0 .. 44 16 0 tion ! over from Tourist Tracks, bridges, &c. .. 175 5 7 .. 175 5 7 Department Surveys .. .. 139 19 11 .. 139 19 11 J Erua milling-timber .. 3,641 3 4 ... 3,641. 3 4 Buildings .. .. 1,174 14 10 .. I,i74 14 10 | Bruce Estate Trustees 1,650 0 0 .. 1,650 0 0 Expenditure on park 459 2 4 15 4 10 474 7 2 Subsidies from local 2,000 0 0 .. 2,000 0 0 equipment,£464 5s.4d. I authorities less value written off, Government grants and 5,839 19 11 300 0 0 6,139 19 11 £5 3s. subsidies Equipment purchased 17 0 0 .. 17 0 0 I Miscellaneous receipts 156 13 6 .. 156 13 6 by Tourist Depart- Revenue contribution 223 15 1 122 16 3 346 11 4 ment, £44 16s. ; less to capital value written off, £27 16s. Buildings erected by 1,005 0 0 .. 1,005 0 0 Tourist Department 10,493 3 8 40 4 1010,533 8 6 14,561 7 10 422 16 3 Balance carried down .. .. 4,450 15 7 14,984 4 1 14,984 4 I