ARTHUR'S PASS.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20026, 6 September 1930, Page 17

ARTHUR'S PASS.

SITE FOR THE HOSTEL. NATIONAL PARK DEVELOPMENT. On the condition that it secures a similar amount from other local bodies, the Arthur's Pass National Park Board of .Control has been promised £SOO by the Christchurch ■- City Council. He Board haa been successful in raising oyer £345 so far, and it is now extending its call for subscriptions.. Yesterday afternoon the chair* man. Mr W. Stewart, waited upon the Ashburton County Council to request a grant, and the members promised to consider it. The Board of Control desires t® erect a hostel on a site possessed by the Railway Department. A transfer is being negotiated, and as soon as the matter is settled the Board will ■ proceed with the erection of puHio utilities and facilities for trampers» The area concerned lies along the main road between the west end of the subway and Avalanche Creek, and it is regarded as the. most suitable for the purpose in the park. There is a Bill before the House resting the township in the Board, together with all the residential lots, unoccupied, and the administration and development of the township will be the caro of the Board for the future.. The Government having. intimated ; Hi a*, it cannot undertake to guarantee the loan which it is proposed to for the erection, of the hostel-for tna accommodation of visitors, - it .is Board's .intention, in the meantime, • to ascertain if private enterprise, "wul go into the hostel question. If tni® does not eventuate, a further tion will probably be made to the Government. ' ' No - Government Subsidy. Advice has also been received* thai • the Government cannot see its ;"w; to . grant a £ for £ subsidy on nroaa raised locally for the development.<* , the park, Mr Stewart having received the following letter from toe SJmister ■ in Charge of Scenery Preservation (the Hon. E. A. Ransoro)«-r -. ; "I have to acknowledge receipt (through the Under-Secretary Lands) of your letter of Augojfc-JSia, ■ in which, on behalf of the Pass National Park you make application for a £ Jor subsidy on the funds raised, locally for the benefit of the P t ark x area. ' "In-reply I greatlv regret to hayeto inform you that in view of the present • financial stringency', necessitating 8 curtailment in ei^iiditare/, Ui ; jtß JjW® I possible to make the desirett. jgyrtßtott for the current year. 'While I &m.vei7 pleased to learn that, as ,a repijlli O* the Board's administration, t^Wp 0 " larity o);the park' liaa so gratfjy w i»- „ creased, and while I am in' nearly., W". cord " with the policv.of granting f -»»- sistance from the trablio funds on basis applied for. I could,not, W'tM* ' of the necessity for increasing tion. recommend the' Minister tor • Finance to consider the request favourably. ~. . J •. "Similar applications nave already been refused.; and I can- only > fciv* an assurance that the matter wiD-next year receive 'as favourable - coraaderar tion as circumstances permit.'"' • " ' <1 Mr James McKav, of Greymouth. M retired Government surveyor, ha® offered his services for the surveying . of tracks to various places of interest, and the improvement of grades" existing tracks. Repairs to : the :Pundibowl Bridge have already been, completed. y T' r 'y • ,