H.—2

The golf-course continues to do well, and the healthy appearance of the grass comes in for much favourable comment. The tournament inaugurated last year was again held this year and proved popular with the guests. The fees collected show an increase over last year. Shi-ing. —The New Zealand ski-ing championships and first inter-Dominion meeting were held in August, and a representative team from Australia competed, victory going to the Australians by a very narrow margin in the inter-Dominion competition. The presence of an overseas team of skiers added largely to the interest shown in this year's winter sports, and the Chateau and hut accommodation were taxed for many weeks. Many complimentary references were made by members of the ski clubs and guests at the Chateau Tongariro to the manner in which the Department contributed to the success of the championship meeting and the excellent way in which the management catered for the enjoyment of visitors. Guiding, Mountain Climbs, &c. —There was a considerable increase in the receipts from the hire of climbing equipment, &c.., showing that this sport is becoming very popular. The climbing year was unfortunately marred by a very sad tragedy in May, 1936, when Mr. Gordon, of Taumarunui, lost his life by slipping off the slopes of Paretetaitonga into the crater lake. Staff. —The staffing of the Chateau Tongariro is still a major problem owing to the uncertain volume of traffic and the isolated locality in which the hotel is situated. On the whole, the staff seemed to be settled and contented, and gave excellent service during the year under review. Caretaker, Little Barrier Bird Sanctuary. The Caretaker reports that the routine work on the island was regularly performed and that tracks were attended to and kept open. The coast-line was traversed frequently in order to prevent unauthorized camping. Bird-life is on the increase, and it is interesting to record that the Caretaker counted sixty native pigeons in a small clearing, which he walked across without one bird taking to wing. Active steps were taken during the year to prevent any increase in rats on the island, which are a menace to the bird-life, and a large number were either shot or trapped. Records of the weather and rainfall were carefully recorded throughout the year and supplied to the Meteorological Department.

APPENDIX B. List of High Ascents at Franz Josef Glacier, Season 1936-37.

14

I Date. Party and Guide. Name of Peak. Height. Route and. "Remarks. Ft. f First ascent and traverse from west to east. Route : From Aimer Hut over head snowfields of Franz Josef Glacier, across a new pass leading down on to Spencer Glacier, and thence from a high bivouac in the 1936. Callary Valley, on western spur of Mount Dec. 26 D. S. Cartv ; Guides, J. Cox /Mount Wilszek.. 10,027 . Eliede Beaumont, between the Spencer and G. Somerville \Elie de Beaumont 10,200 < and Burton Glaciers. The western ridge v - was followed to the summit of Mount Wilszek, traversing the peak, and thence along eastern ridge to summit of Mount Elie de Beaumont, descending down the south-eastern face to Tasman Glacier and to Malte Brun Hut. 1937. Jan. 15 Mrs. E. Theomin ; Guides, J. Mount Sefton .. 10,359 Ascent and descent by western face from high Fluerty and Jack Durnford bivouac at head of Scott's Creek above Welcome Flat. ("First complete traverse from west to east. Ascent from Pioneer Hut at head of Fox Glacier to Col. between Mount Haast and f Lendenfeldt . . 10,503 Lendenfeldt, traversing Mount Lenden- , ir- r\ rn 1 t> m n m I Mount Tasman 11,475 feldt and thence by north-east ridge to •Jan. 15 G.Clark, B. Thompson ; Guide, ®g ilberhorn .. summit of Tasman, descending Tasman's | Teichelmann 10,368 southern ridge, ascending Silberhorn, and Peak thence along ridge to Teichelmann Peak, finally descending the south-east of the Silberhorn to the Grand Plateau and over Glacier Dome to Haast Hut. Jan. 18 G. Clark, B. Thompson; Guide, Mount Cook .. 12,349 Ascent and descent by the Lenden route J. Cox from the Haast Hut. Jan. 28 Mrs. E. Theomin; Guides, J. Mount Lendenfeldt 10,503 Ascent and descent bjr north-east ridge from Fluerty and C. Pearsons the Pioneer Hut, later crossing Pioneer Pass to Haast Hut, and thence to the Hermitage. f Ascent from Aimer Hut to Graham's riv/r 4. i„ ia aoo I Saddle, and thence bv south-west face [Mount De la 10,022 , 0 ' T , , -»/r o ■ n ■ it p u J and bouth Kidge to summit ot Mount Feb. 20 Max Spoern ; Guide, J. Cox. . < Beche < , ,, , ,, , , r i i d j , ; / \ I De la Beche, and thence to the top of Minarets Peaks 1.0,058 , £ , t-v | two peaks or the Minarets. Descent L made same way.