Ombudsman Denies Ski Company’s Claims

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30667, 5 February 1965, Page 14

Ombudsman Denies Ski Company’s Claims

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, Feb. 4. Complaints by Ski Enterprises, Ltd., against Mr V. P. McGlone, Commissioner of Crown Lands, for the Wellington land district and chairman of the Tongariro National Park Board, have not been substantiated ’by the facts, says the Ombudsman (Sir Guy Powles) in a report released today. Sir Guy Powles says that the evidence available to him showed that Mr McGlone had acted properly in the performance of his official duties. The Ombudsman’s report says that Mr A. B. Turner, managing-director of Ski Enterprises, Ltd., a company holding a licence from the Tongariro National Park Board for the operation of a rope tow on the national downhill area of the ski grounds on the northern slopes of Monut Ruapehu, had complained to him that his company was being treated unjustly and unreasonably in the matter of the issue of further licences to enable it to expand and improve its operations in the National Downhill area. The complainant alleged Mr McGlone brought pressure to bear on Ski Enterprises, Ltd., to accept a scheme for the future development of the National Downhill, which favoured the interests of Ruapehu Alpine Lifts, Ltd., at the expense of those of Ski Enterprises, Ltd., the com-

pany which had euccessfully pioneered the development of uphill transportation in the area over the last five years. “My investigation has left me in no doubt that, at all material times, Mr McGlone acted in his dealings with both Ski Enterprises, Ltd., and Ruapehu Alpine Lifts, Ltd., with the full knowledge and authority of the board and in accordance with the board’s policy,” Sir Guy Powles says. He says in conclusion that he feels obliged to say that these complaints to him give prominence to an unfortunate situation. There does appear to be room for honest differences of opinion as to the manner in which the future development of the National Downhill should be undertaken.