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The reservation for recreation purposes over portions of the Newmarket and Millerton Domains was cancelled during the year under review. Many years ago the Newmarket Borough Council erected a fire-station and borough depot on some 2 acres of the domain. The Council has paid compensation to the Domain Board for the area concerned, which has now been vested in the Borough Council as a site for municipal buildings. Some acres of the Millerton Domain, comprising broken, rocky ground, unsuitable for recreation purposes, has been subdivided for building sites. Portions of the area have been leased for many years past, and in some cases buildings have been erected. In view of the fact that the leases were due to expire it was considered desirable "to take the area out of the domain so that future leasing proposals could be dealt with under the provisions of the Land Act, 1924. PART lI.—NATIONAL PARKS No development work of an extensive nature has been undertaken on national parks during the year, but reports received from the various controlling authorities indicate that, in spite of difficulties in securing adequate supplies of materials and labour satisfactory progress has been made in the work of maintaining and improving national parks. Unfortunately, it has not yet been possible to proceed with the erection of a ranger's residence on Tongariro National Park. Until accommodation is provided it will be necessary to postpone the appointment of a permanent ranger for this park. Further repairs to tracks on the park were effected during the year, and deer-culling is still being undertaken by the Wildlife Branch of the Department of Internal Affairs. Legislative authority was obtained last session to the reservation as primaryeducation endowment being cancelled over an area of some 211 acres and to the addition of this land to the Egmont National Park. The area in question is situated near Warea r about 22 miles from New Plymouth, and is adjacent to the Egmont National Park, being separated from it by Forest Road. It contains valuable native bush of excellent scenic value. The addition of the area to the park will enable it to be administered in the best interests of the public. In addition to the usual Government subsidy of pound for pound on local-body contributions to the Board's funds, the Egmont National Park Board was granted £2,000 for repairs and additions to buildings. Good progress is being made by the Park Board in the destruction of opossums, goats, and other pests,, which, unless held in check, present a real menace to forest growth. The Department is indebted to Mr. G. G. Atkinson, Head Ranger to the Park Board, for an excellent report dealing with the preservation of flora and fauna in the park. Negotiations are in train for the purchase from J. S. Cameron of 2,085 acres at Totaranui. This area, which contains some very fine bush, will form a valuable addition to the Abel Tasman National Park. It has been necessary to appoint a new ranger at Arthur Pass National Park, owingto the death of the previous holder of this office. The Board is continuing park improvements, particularly at Arthur Pass Township. Following on the completion of additional road-formation, it will be possible to offer further sections in the township for lease during the ensuing year. During the year the Fiordland National Park was threatened by the outbreak of fire in certain areas, but serious damage was averted. The vigilance of the public in detecting and reporting these fires, and assisting fire-fighting services to quell outbreaks,, is very much appreciated. Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given; printing (1,023 copies), £8 10s. By Authority: E. V. Paul, Government Printer, Wellington. —1948.

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