c.—lo.

APPENDIX. REPORTS OF NATIONAL PARK BOARDS. TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK BOARD. (W. Robertson, 1.5.0., Under-Secretary for Lands, Chairman.) The business of the Board did not necessitate the calling of frequent meetings. The Wellington Executive met on the 11th June, 1937, and a full meeting of the Board was called on the 20th July, 1937. Dominion Bush-consekvation and Amenity Planting Conference. A Dominion conference on bush-conservation and tree-planting was convened by the Department of Internal Affairs for Friday, 2nd April, 1937, at Parliament Buildings, Wellington. Mr. B. C. Aston was appointed as the Board's representative at the conference. A copy of the report of the conference was transmitted to the Board by the Department of Internal Affairs, and the Board was asked for any suggestions it might desire to submit in regard to the proposed Interim Committee and constitution of the National Organization. With the approval of Board members the matter was discussed and dealt with at a meeting of the Wellington Executive, and a resolution was passed expressing the view that the proposed constitution of a National Organization with District Councils and Committees should be approved. Application by Tongariro Tramping Club for Hut-site. The Tongariro Tramping Club applied in April, 1937, for authority to erect a mountain hut on the southern slopes of Ruapehu. The site eventually selected lies between Trigs. F and G, and is not far distant from the Ohakune Hut. The club was advised of the general conditions laid down by the Board with respect to granting of facilities for the erection of huts by mountain clubs and organizations of a like nature not incorporated for pecuniary gain. The application had not been finally dealt with at the close of the year. Scoria Flat Road. A proposal that the road leading from the Chateau to Scoria Flat should be declared a main highway was received through the Department of Industries and Commerce, Tourist and Publicity. The Board, at its meeting of the 20th July last, approved of the proposal, and an Order in Council dated 10th November, 1937, issued under section 3 of the Main Highways Act, 1922, was duly published in Gazette of 18th of that month. The distance proclaimed is 2 miles 40 chains, extending from the junction with the Bruce Main Highway at the Whakapapa Huts to the parking-ground near the northern boundary of Block VII, Ruapehu Survey District, and covers the existing formed length. It is hoped that in due course the remaining section of the road will be constructed and similarly declared subject to the Main Highways Act, so that easy access to the Salt Hut and the main ski-ing grounds will be available to visitors to the park. Liberation of Trout-fry in Streams adjacent to the Chateau. The question of granting authority for the liberation of trout-fry in the waters of the park was considered as a policy question at a meeting of the Board in 1934, and the Tourist Department was granted authority to liberate fry in the YVhakapapa-nui and Whakapapa-iti Streams and their tributaries, the authority to be operative for a period of two seasons. In October, 1934, 25,000 fry were liberated through the medium of the Waimarino Acclimatization Society as follows : Mahuia Stream, 5,000 ; Whakapapa-nui, 10,000 ; Taranaki, 10,000. In January, 1936, further representations were received from the Tourist Department that the streams of the park be stocked, and the Board dealt with this matter at a meeting held on 20th July, 1937, when a resolution was carried granting the necessary permission. Timber Trespass on Northern Slopes of Tongariro. In September last an examination of the bush areas on the northern slopes of Tongariro was made by the Chief Inspector of the State Forest Service and a Field Inspector of the Lands and Survey Department, and these officers, in the course of their reports, drew attention to what appeared to be an encroachment on park land. Immediate arrangements were made with the Chief Surveyor, Wellington, to send a surveyor to the spot to traverse the boundary-line and locate the survey pegs. This work was carried out, and it was found that an area of about 7 acres inside the park boundary had been felled and cleared. A number of fencing-posts, strainers, and logs found on park land were seized by the surveyor and branded pending full investigations as to the question of legal remedies. Suitable arrangements are being made to prevent any further encroachment taking place. Bush Lands near Ohakune. As stated in last year's annual report, the dead trees on that portion of the park adjacent to the Ohakune Development Block were disposed of to the Small Farms Board. The question of measures necessary to protect the bush edge by the planting of suitable trees will receive the early consideration of the Board. The thanks of the Board for the valuable help and assistance afforded by the State Forest Service in the administration of this area are recorded.

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