UNTIDINESS AT ARTHUR’S PASS

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28128, 17 November 1956, Page 13

UNTIDINESS AT ARTHUR’S PASS

COMPLAINT TO PARK BOARD

DECISION TO PROTEST TO MINISTER

The Arthur’s Pass National Park Board will complain to the Minister of Railways (Mr J. K. McAlpine) about untidiness in railway property at the Arthur’s Pass township. Mr McAlpine is a member of the board, but he was not present at a meeting this week, when it was decided to take this action.

The senior ranger (Mr R. W. Cleland) reported that he had received a letter in which the writer said that he had noticed household rubbish on the reserve opposite the railway houses. The rubbish made the place untidy. “This letter indicates that rubbish collecting around the Arthur’s Pass railway reserves, yard and station reflects adversely upon the tidiness of the township,’ r said Mr Cleland in a report to the board. “During the last six years. I have made every effort to clean up some of these areas which have never been tidied by the Raiways Department. It is obvious that a more determined effort will have to be made by the Railways Department.

“Recently the department circularised all employees through the district engineer. Greymouth, but made no attempt to lift rubbish on the ground in some areas. One gang in one half-day could deal with the matter. The dump near the station is growing to the stage when it can no longer be ignored because, after every fresh of the Bealey river, more tins are scattered by the river itself. An open lavatory pipe at this point is also unsatisfactory. “After railway excursions, no effort is made to collect the rubbish around the yard, and it is soon distributed by north-west winds,’’ said Mr Cleland.

“A high standard of tidiness and cleanliness is necessary at this point of entry into the park,’’ said Mr Cleland. “Unpainted outbuildings, the railway hall, and unrepaired fences have always brought verbal comments.’’