Montgomery Youth Hostel Opened At Hilltop

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28414, 22 October 1957, Page 15

Montgomery Youth Hostel Opened At Hilltop

The simple accommodation was only a means through which young persons in particular would gain a greater knowledge and love of the countryside, and health and education would be promoted, said Dr. Shelia Crawford at the opening of the Montgomery Youth Hostel at Hilltop on Saturday. Dr. Crawford is president of the Canterbury region of the Youth Hostels’ Association. The hostel, the seventh of its kind in Canterbury, was opened by Mr W. H. Montgomery, of Little River, whose grant of the land and a large sum of money to the association made its construction possible. More than 200 persons were present.

The hostel, which can accommodate 20 persons and is selfcontained, was built in nine months over some 450 days of week-end work by 100 members. As the Sir Arthur Dudley Dobson Memorial Hostel at Arthur’s Pass commemorated the work of the early explorers and surveyors in the area, this hostel commemorated the pioneer farmers of Banks Peninsula, said Dr Crawford. The peninsula, with its easy access, pleasant landscape, steep hills, and rugged bays, offered great opportunity for young trampers, and the location of the new hostel between the plains and Banks Peninsula was

most suitable because, through it. the pioneer route from Lyttelton to Diamond Harbour and over the Summit route could be followed.

Dr. Crawford congratulated the members both on their work in manhandling the 21 tons of building materials up the very steep ridge below the site and the construction of the hostel itself. Without their work the hostel would have remained a paper dream, she said.

Mr K. Johnson, the Canterbury representative on the national council of the association, said that the chief strength of the association was in the enthusiasm of its members and their “willingness to do the work themselves.” and he looked forward to the day when similar hostels would be established throughout the country.

Before he cut the ribbon at the entrance of the hostel and declared it open, Mr Montgomery congratulated all who were concerned in its construction on their fine work.

Other speakers included Miss. Cora Wilding, a patron of New Zealand association and a founder of the Canterbury move-j ment. Mr J. B. Hay, the chairman of the Akaroa County Council.; and Messrs Terry Overend and Don Roberts, the leaders of the voluntary working team. |