Tongariro National Park Board.

I have to report that two meetings of the Board have been held during the year, one in Wellington, and one at Waimarino. Two meetings of the Central Executive Committee (consisting of the Wellington residents on the Board) have been held in Wellington to deal with urgent business.

I attended all these meetings.

Heather and Grouse.—In the past this Institute has emphatically opposed the introduction of any form of wild life into the Tongarito National Park which is foreign to it. (See Annual Meeting, 1924, Standing Committee, September 16th, 1924, and 18th November, 1924, Annual Meeting, 1925 Standing Committee 23rd June, 1925, and 21st May, 1926). During 1926 the Standing Committee passed the resolution recorded in the yearly report, which speaks with no uncertain sound. Details of the treatment of national parks in other lands, notably in the United States and Switzerland, have been received and have been published in the daily press of New Zealand. From these it appears that the policy adopted by the Institute is framed on right lines, and corresponds closely to that of other countries.

The resolution, “That this Board is of opinion that the heather now growing in the National Park should be eradicated,” stood in the minutes for the December meeting, “That this resolution should be rescinded.” At the meeting the Hon. Warden of the Park (Mr. Cullen) informed the Board that during the past twenty years five tons of heather seed had been distributed in the Park and its vicinity. From this it appeared possible that the difficulties attending the eradication might prove insuperable. The following resolution was agreed to as the best method of attempting to cope with the heather question:—

“The Board being of opinion that it is impossible to eradicate the heather save at cost beyond the means of the Board, resolves that no further heather seed be planted, and steps be taken to prevent the further spreading of the heather now growing in the Park. The Board confirms its policy of opposition to the planting in the Park of anything (except under domestication) not indigenous to the Park, and records that the previous resolution to eradicate the heather is thus automatically rescinded together with the permission granted to plant Mount Cook lilies.”

As a result of the passing of this resolution, it is expected that further substantial donations for development work from the Bruce Estate may be received.

At a Central Executive Committee meeting held subsequently in Wellington it was resolved that a committee consisting of Messrs. W. H. Field, M.P., E. Phillips Turner and B. C. Aston, examine and report on the present distribution of the heather and demarcate the boundaries of some of the areas so as to form the basis for observation as to whether the heather is spreading. It is hoped to make some enquiry during the coming autumn so that a preliminary report may be furnished to the Park Board at its next meeting. Other important works which the Park Board has in hand are the erection of a hostel and the publication of a handbook to the Park. The Government Architect (Mr. Mair) is preparing an estimate of what can be done with the possible amount which can be made available for the purpose, and Mr. Cowan has completed a book which it is hoped will shortly be published.

Arrangements have been completed whereby the milling operations of the Prisons Department in the Park have been terminated. The price for tent accommodation has been raised considerably. The question of the establishment of an alpine garden is to be considered in conjunction with other projected improvements. It has been decided to fence the Park boundaries near Ohakune at a cost of £70.

The most pleasing aspect of the heather-grouse controversy is the indication of a strong public opinion in favour of the preservation of the national features of the country existing as reserves or parks,—evidence of the growth of a vigorous national feeling.

B. C. Aston,

President.
18th January, 1927.
Mr. Eliott moved, “That Mr. Aston be thanked for his report,” seconded by Mr. Hill and carried.