MEMORIAL AT ARTHUR’S PASS

Press, Volume C, Issue 29635, 4 October 1961, Page 5

MEMORIAL AT ARTHUR’S PASS

Mr M. J. P. Glasgow Approval was given by the Arthur's Pass National Park Board this week for the old road bridge over Avalanche creek, behind the Arthur’s Pass township, to be reconstructed as a footbridge as a memorial to Mr M. J. P Glasgow. Mr Glasgow, a prominent mountaineer who was killed on a climb of Mount Cook early last year, was one of those responsible for the planning and erection of the Arthur's Pass ghapel. and was secretary of the chapel committee at the time of his death. The bridge was rendered obsolete by the construction of a new bridge and diversion of the main road, and the old bridge was handed over to the board by the Ministry of Works. The board has been using the bridge for trucks and heavy machinery engaged in the restoration of the alpine gardens. A committee comprising friends of Mr Glasgow approached the board with the proposal to reconstruct the bridge as a memorial. After the gardens have been laid out the bridge will be rebuilt by the committee into a concrete footbridge, with walls of river boulders, and an engraved plaque. Grant to Park Advice that a Government grant of £4550 had been made available to the board this year was received. This sum will cover administration expenses, and maintenance and development of the park The total of grants made by the Government for New Zealand national parks this year was £76.900. compared with £22,400 in 1956. the board was tqld. Wekaa from Chathams Eight pairs of wekas from the Chatham Islands will arrive for release in the park later this month, the board was advised. Other liberations would be made during the summer as wekas came to hand.