AMENITIES AT ARTHUR’S PASS NATIONAL PARK

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29367, 21 November 1960, Page 10

AMENITIES AT ARTHUR’S PASS NATIONAL PARK

Mr T. W. Preston, chairman of the Arthur’s Pass National Park Board, has made a comprehensive reply to points raised by a correspondent, “Puzzled,” who suggests that there has been a somewhat negative approach to amenities within the park. The letter from “Puzzled” said: “Progressive” states that £9OO of public money has been spent on the goods lift to Temple Basin, virtually a waste as far as the public are concerned. Has he ever noticed (1> an unsurveyed jeep track to the Bluffs, used only, and then very occasionally, by the park board’s utility vehicle; (2) at Klondyke Comer, a shelter shed and skating rink which does not function: (3) an alpine garden, which isn’t; (4) a half-completed and empty alpine museum? How much did all these cost the public, and what useful purpose do they serve? Mr Preston has replied seriatim to these points:— Mountain Track (1) “The jeep track was put in by the board on the insistence of users of Temple Basin that access be provided for utility vehicles as far as the Bluffs. It was used until recently by the Christchurch Ski Club to reduce the amount of packing of petrol and heavy gear. The board decided, because of cost and danger, not to attempt to continue this track further; but it did improve the walking track above the terminus. The Ski Club decided to raise money toward the cost of a goods lift. So much voluntary skill and effort were applied that a job which, on contract, would have cost between £4OOO and £5OOO was completed for a fraction of that sum. A Government subsidy of £2 for £1 was paid on the club’s contribution. The goods lift is available to all on payment of a small fee. The track is used regularly by trampers as well as skiers and is frequently used by the park rangers to . transport equipment.” Skating Rink (2) “The shelter was completed in 1959 and is regularly used by many people for its designed purposes—shelter for trampers moving up and down the Waimarakiri river and for picnickers. The skating area was excavated about 20 years ago by private enterprise and a small sum was spent by the board in repairing the pond and attempting to seal it. About 800 ft of piping, given by a local resident, was installed to supply water from an adjacent waterfall. The local material used on the floor of the pond is lifted by the severe frosts in the region. Sealing will involve carting clay from a long distance, the cost of which could be met by volun-

tary contributions from those interested in ice-skating, together with the Government subsidy.” Alpine Garden (3) “The alpine garden, which was originally constructed by relief labour during the depression of the thirties, was unfortunately situated right against the highway. Reconstruction had to await the completion of the new highway across the flat. A major rebuilding is now in progress and should be completed this season. Within two years it is hoped that a reasonably-complete collection of the alpines of the park will be established. It is worth noting that even in its incomplete condition nearly 100 species are growing there.” Museum Displays

(41 “The board is very grateful to the numerous voluntary contributors who made the building of the museum possible. Twothirds of the planned area has been completed and is in use. The other wing will not be built for some years. The board has no funds with which to pay museum staff and the planning and provision of exhibits are dependent largely on voluntary effort. Before long, there will be on display a complete collection of the birds of the park and panels illustrating many features of the story and natural history of the area. The Railways Department is contributing an exhibit on railway and tunnel undertakings. We are also grateful to members of the Canterbury Mountaineering Club who have contributed £5O to establish a memorial to the late Mr W. A. Kennedy. This, with subsidy, will provide bookcases and reading tables for the library of mountaineering and natural history and a herbarium cabinet for a complete collection of plants of the park.”

On the detailed costs of all these projects, Mr Preston said that the secretary of the board would supply this information if “Puzzled” called on him. Board members and the ranger staff were always willing to provide information and assistance if approached.