NATIONAL PARKS DEVELOPMENT

Press, Volume C, Issue 29525, 29 May 1961, Page 6

NATIONAL PARKS DEVELOPMENT

Insufficient Money Available

Money available for the development of national parks was insufficient for the growing needs of the park system, and greater attention should be given to basic amenities tor visitors, said a report on national parks by Mr R. Syme, of Hawera. It was included in the annual report presented to the meeting of the Federated Mountain Clubs of New Zealand on Saturday. A slightly increased grant from the Government for the 1960-61 year had allowed further progress with toppriority projects such as the provision of rangers’ houses and park headquarters. At Government request, the National Parks Authority had agreed to accept responsibility for 700,000 acres of scenic reserves. A committee of the authority had been appointed to work with the Ministry of Works and the Electricity Department to minimise the damage likely to occur when roads, railways, transmission lines and other developments encroached on scenic attractions. Nelson Lakes Better facilities had been provided at Lake Rotoiti in the last few years, and more attention was now being given to the development of Lake Rotoroa, said the report. The camping area was being improved, a new jetty had been built and a walking track had been provided around the eastern shore of the lake to a new hut at the mouth of the Sabine river