NATIONAL PARK BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 August 1922, Page 2

NATIONAL PARK BOARD.

. ANNUAL MEETING. The annttal meeting of the Mount Egmont National Park Board was held yesterday. Present: Messrs. H. J. Lowe (chairman), R. Dingle, E. Dingle, J. B. Richards, T. B. Crump, T. C. List, R. Anderson, and C. E. Goodson. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs. B. C. Lysaght and J. Garcia. The chairman welcomed Mr. T. C. List to the Board, he having been appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. S. Percy Smith. A vote of condolence with the relatives of the late Mr. S. Percy Smith was carried in the customary manner. The northern committee was appointed as follows: Messrs. C. H. Burgess, T. C. List, F. W. Carrington, A. R. Standish, E. Dingle, H. Baily, J. B. Connett. Mr. E. J. Davidson, of Kaponga, was appointed to the south committee, vice Mr. R. Law, resigned. Mr. Richards reported that nothing was being on the Stratford side now that the Public Works Department had suspended operations on the track, except to keep the water channels clear on the parts formed » n d metalled.. It was reported that leases of areas amounting to about 300 acres of reserve in the Oakura district would be expiring in February, 1924. A discussion ensued as to the advisability of extending the leases, the opinion being expressed that it would be preferable to put the land, which was admittedly very poor, into plantations. The chairman and New Plymouth members of the committee were appointed to inspect the land and report to the next meeting of the board. A motion was carried asking the Minister for Tourist Affairs to continue the grant of £2OO towards administrative costs, otherwise it would be difficult, if not impossible, for the board to carry on its operations. A statement of accounts was submitted, showing that the receipts by the various committees for the year had been as follow: Northern, £B4l (park fees £176, house and cottage fees £9B, motor tolls £lOO, road subsidy £2OO, ’'•‘reservoir subsidy £2OO, grant by board £5O), there being a credit balance of £B3; south committee, revenue £450 (road subsidy £200,building subsidy £2OO, grant by board £5O). The east committee had had a board grant of £2O and was in credit £52, and the west £36, and in credit £7. The board had a credit balance of £72.

The northern committee’s expenditure included maintenance of houses £lOB, roads £424, and reservoir £256. The statement was adopted. Mr. Crump moved that the board seek legislation during the present session conferring upon the board extended powers to enable the board, with the consent of the (Sbvernor-General, to grant leases of areas not exceeding three acres in one lease, for hostel and residential purposes, together with the necessary rights of access over roads and tracks, and to grant rights and easements necessary for the purpose, of installing. hydro-electrical and high-pressure water supply systems for the hostess and residences, and authorising the Land Registrar to register leases and grants so made. Considerable discussion ensued, during which it was pointed out that the present Act constituting the Park Board did not confer powers enabling lessees of hostels to be given security of tenure. It was contended that the board or Government should have the right of resumption after a given period over any leased property, on payment of compensation. Eventually it was decided to forward copies of the proposed resolution and a draft of the amendment of the Act to each member of the board, and to consider the matter at an adjourned meeting to be held on the 31st inst.