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APPENDIX VII. TAUPO DOMAIN. The following is a report of the operations of the Taupo Domain Board for the year ended 31st December, 1907 : — The principal work undertaken during the year was the completion of the water-supply for the lawn, ivc. The windmill is in good working-order, and keeps the tanks well filled. A hose 75 ft. long was purchased, together with the necessary nozzles for spraying. Top-dressing a portion of the lawn for bowling was carried out during the winter, and was most beneficial for the grass, and it is proposed to top-dress the whole lawn during the ensuing year, and to purchase bowls and croquet requisites. The A.C. Bath has been well patronised during the year, and some necessary repairs will be needed for its surroundings. A fine show of flowers was in the beds, and it is proposed to extend the planting of more beds next year, also to lay down piping for watering purposes. During the year the Public Works Department surveyed in the vicinity of the Domain in order to ascertain whether the area held by the Board had been interfered with. Some alterations were made, the nature of which is not yet known to the Board. The Board considers the sum of £75 voted for this year will hardly be adequate for the upkeep and the Board's expenses. The amount standing at the Board's credit at the beginning of the year was £12 9s. 3d. The revenue during the year amounted to £56 10s., and the expenditure to £61 65., leaving a credit balance of £7 13s. 3d. Thomas Ryan, Chairman.

APPENDIX VIII. EGMONT NATIONAL PARK BOARD. Annual Report, 1907-8. New Plymouth, 22nd May, 1908. The season under review has been a successful one, the attendance of visitors showing a decided increase, the weather being very favourable. At the Egmont (North) House the visitors numbered two thousand. The track from the radius line is now metalled for a length of three miles and a quarter, and is in good order. A small accommodation-house has been erected near Holly Flat at a distance of about a mile from Bell's Kails, which will prove a great use to visitors. Stabling accommodation is now under course of construction, which will be a great boon, especially during the winter months. The question of telephone communication with New Plymouth is now engaging the attention of the Committee, also an improved water-supply. The Dawson's Falls (Southern) House. —The past season has been very successful, the number of visitors—three thousand —showing a substantial increase on the previous season. The track is in good order, some half-mile or more having been metalled. A new detached cottage has been erected and suitably furnished, giving accommodation for parties of twelve in number. These detached cottages are very popular with visitors to the mountain. A harness and feed room has also been built, proving a great convenience. The Tourist Cottage (where the caretaker provides special accommodation) has been well patronised, and further extension will shortly be required in this direction. At the llahotu (Western) House the number of visitors has been about a hundred. The tracks in the vicinity are in good order, and a visit to this house will well repay visitors. The Stratford (East) House has been dismantled, and is now being removed to a better site lower down the mountain, the old site being considered too exposed. When completed it is expected this house will be well patronised by visitors. A good deal of work has been done in the way of improving the side tracks connecting the various houses and Bell's Falls. These tracks when reached are excellent to travel on, the grade being easy, and the scenery well worth the trip. Tourist Roads, die. Stratford House to Egmont House. —A few repairs have been done on 3 miles 42 chains of bridle-track. Upper Egmont.—The metalling contract by Bayly and Sole has been completed. A further metalling contract let during the year to Mapp Bros, has also been finished. The whole road is now metalled to within 70 chains of the North House. The work done during the year comprises 78 chains engineering survey and dray-road formation, and 1 mile 68 chains metalling, together with 4 miles 15 chains maintenance.