C. -10.

East Committee. —The past year has seen great advances in the work carried out by the Committee on the east side of the mountain, a fine summer road having been made to continue the main road from the houses to the plateau at the Mangonui Gorge, and, in addition, many other improvements have been made, including the erection of a hut at the Mangonui Gorge and the formation of a ski-ing track, which, because of its easy access, should prove an attraction during the winter season. The area of bush on the Pembroke Eoad as far east as the Barclay road has been fenced and planted. West Committee. —With only very limited funds, this committee has been able to maintain its house and improve its tracks. The committee has authorized the formation of a track from Brame's Falls Track at the Reserve Line to the Kahui House via Oaonui and Okehu Gorges, which, when completed, will provide direct access to the house from the Opunake district. Afforestation. —During the year the remaining area on the Kaitake Ranges—about 55 acres — was planted, mainly with Pinus radiata on the steep exposed country, macrocarpa on the level land, eucalyptus and Acacia decurrens (variety mollis) on the semi-level good land. The planting was done by unemployed labour under a foreman, and the results in the Pinus plantation are remarkable, the strike being as near as possible about 98 per cent. The Acacia and Eucalyptus have also been quite satisfactory. A number of the Macrocarpa will have to be replaced. Unemployed labour was used for clearing the fence-lines and around the slower growing Oregon pine, Californian redwood, and some of the other trees. The growth throughout the whole plantation of approximately 300 acres has been astonishing. The first area planted five years ago averages 30 ft. to 40 ft. in height, and notwithstanding that it was previously dense gorse brake, the undergrowth is now practically suppressed. In a period of about five years it is expected that the whole of the weed portion will be entirely suppressed, and, in place of the mass of blackberry, gorse, and ragwort which previously covered it, a clean forest will exist, as at present in fully half the area weeds are hardly visible, except at the boundaries. The planting of this area of weed-infested country has not only done a great deal to protect the native forest, but has been an object-lesson to the hundreds of farmers who pass this plantation day by day of what can be done with what was practically a waste of useless ground. A further area of land on the Pembroke Road and Barclay Road corner at Stratford was also afforested. Conclusion.—The reserve offers great attractions to all classes of tourists, health-seekers, and nature-lovers, as, thanks to the gratuitous services of the members of the Board and local committees and honorary rangers, there is good accommodation on the various slopes of the mountain at approximately the 3,000 ft. level. At the hostelries, which are well conducted, a pleasant sojourn can be made at any time of the year, and at a very moderate cost, and on the Kaitake Ranges there is beairtiful bush of easy access, where pleasant hours may be spent by nature-lovers. The Board uses every endeavour to protect and enhance the value of this great national asset. ARTHUR PASS NATIONAL PARK BOARD. (W. Stewart, Commissioner of Crown Lands, Christchurch, Chairman.) I have the honour to submit a report on the, second complete year of the Board's activities. The general depression has reflected itself on the Board's operations, which are necessarily limited to the capacity of its purse. Where in the previous year a considerable sum was raised from local bodies, this avenue of revenue has been closed. The Christchurch City Council found itself unable to meet an earlier commitment to pay the balance of its grant, and to date the Government, from whom a pound-for-pound subsidy had been confidently anticipated, have made no grant whatever to the Board, except the allowance made for initial expenses over two years ago. The only revenue available has been derived almost entirely from rents and fees. While this reduced income has put a restraint upon the improvements that the Board had planned, nevertheless certain advances have been made, which have materially improved the amenities of the park and which have been the subject of favourable comment by many visitors. The works undertaken by the Board have been directed by the Grounds Committee, under the chairmanship of Dr. William McKay, of Greymouth, and the Board accounts itself fortunate in having the services of such an able and enthusiastic gentleman. Dr. McKay's report is appended hereto. Meetings.—The Board met on three occasions during the year, the second meeting being held at Arthur's Pass on the 3rd June. This was an entirely successful venture, giving as it did the opportunity to members of inspecting completed works, and of viewing the site of future improvements. On this occasion the Board met representatives of the Canterbury Automobile Association and selected motorcamp sites, and inspected the track to the Temple Basin in company with members of the Christchurch Ski Club. Township.—The transference of the Arthur's Pass Township to the Board was completed, and during the year leases were issued to the holders of allotments. The Board's control has already shown its beneficial effects, and the relationships between tenants and Board have been most amicable. Proposals for the betterment of the community advantages will be considered during the next year. The selection of vacant sections has naturally been very slow, but inquiries are numerous, and there is every indication that when national conditions improve there will be a notable increase in the number of tenants. The Tourist Traffic was substantial during the winter. According to figures supplied, by the Railway Department, twelve excursions were run during the year, and a total of 5,140 passengers was carried. Considering the many other visitors to the park, both during the winter and summer seasons, there is ample evidence of the popularity of the park not only as a tourist resort, but also as an attractive place foi? the ordinary holiday-maker and for a day's outing. The Railway Department is doing a great deal to popularize the park with this type of traveller.

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