POPULARISING NATIONAL PARK.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 48, 26 February 1923, Page 11

POPULARISING NATIONAL PARK.

SKI CLUB'S NEW HUT. | THE I"ROPOSKD HOSTEL. : (By Telfsrnpli.—l'reoe Association.* WAXCiAXUI, Saturday. Considerable attention is now being ■directed toward the making of Tongariro National I'ark one of the most attractive spot? in the Xorth Island. A nary consisting of Mrssre. J. Allison, - Wilk? and Salt, Wangamii, and Pcott, of Auckland, have visited ihe park in an * attempt to build the Ruapehu Ski " Cluli's hut, OOOft up the Whakapapa ■ Glacier. ': The material was all cut ready for I erection, and was packed on horses up ' a rough track. The weather broke after the first day's march, and it then became ' very cold. It was a strenuous task for "' both men and horses, climbing over :•' rocks and unable *r> see more than ten •' yards ahead, owing to the hail, sleet, and * enow driven before a heavy gale. All the material was finally landed at the E!te, but ns there was eipht inches of • enow on the ground, the erection of *.he hut had to be left to a later date, though i ; the party Mere able to get the founda- ■ tions laid. V There is at present a good deal of diecußSion among mountaineers as to - where the proposed hostel should be • built in the park. Some members of the park board favour a ei'e on the main ridge running west from the Tama - lakes in a direct line between Wliaka- ' papa Hut and the hill known ac Pukeo- . naki. This site, which is two miles V north of Whakapapa Hut, commands a f magnificent view, but is bleak and cold !: in bad weather. On this account some people consider ? the Whakapapa site the best, as it is ' well sheltered by native bush, and has other attractions in the way of wat«rfalls, streams, and bush walks.