Demand On Facilities At Mount Cook Park

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30740, 3 May 1965, Page 18

Demand On Facilities At Mount Cook Park

Interest in the Mount Cook National Park had grown to such an extent that existing facilities were unable to cope with the demand, the board’s chairman (Mr N. S. Coad) said in his report to the annual meeting of the board on Saturday. He said the board expected an even greater demand, almost an upsurge in the next few years, and was planning accordingly. The first problem was how best to use what land there was available for building on the Hermitage and Glencoe fans. “The board has decided that this area should be zoned for hotel and motel accommo-

dation and essential park services for hotel and motel guests and day visitors. This has meant looking for another area to accommodate the many others who are seeking or will seek sites for permanent residences, holiday cottages, staff housing, shops, recreation centres, garages, bus depots, yards, and even more hotels and motels, and as a result the board has decided to establish a village on the park boundary,” said Mr Coad.

“Another far-reaching decision has been to agree in principle to an aerial lift in the park. Thus, subject to the approval of the National Parks Authority, the way is paved for interested parties to submit proposals to the board, which has indicated it will approve a lift, subject to the National Parks Authority and subject to the board’s most careful consideration as to the type and location of the lift, for conservation and preservation of the landscape. A lift would give visitors greater access and would increase the scope of park enjoyment,” he said. Accommodation “The hostel has been well maintained and its popularity and use continue to grow. Bed-nights numbered 4164, against last year’s 3461. The motels were again heavily booked throughout the main seasons. They are a low-tariff motel and are serving a useful purpose but there is pronounced demand for a higher standard,” said Mr Coad. This year 1314 campers (including the campers of the Sixth International Vintage Car Rally) used the park, compared with 743 last year. Mr Coad said that all noxious weeds and exotics were under control and experiments had been carried out to find an effective poison for the cherry trees. “The New Zealand Forest Service has again spent much of the year in the park. Private shooters’ tallies have been exceptionally low. The majority of private shooting is done on the fringes of the park and the main herds of animals are being driven back beyond where the average private shooters go. The nature of the country and the degree of physical fitness required to penetrate it, limit the number of those who can or who want to shoot in the areas of infestation,” he said. During the year, 155 primits were issued. Private shooters destroyed 542 thar, 57 chamois, and six deer, while Forest Service shooters killed 537 thar, 58 chamois, five deer, 36 hares, and two rabbits. Seventy-five hares and 32 rabbits were also shot by the ranger, as well as 16 cats, six stoats, and five magpies.

An increase had been noticed in the numbers of introduced birds (sparrows, blackbirds and thrushes), particularly in the spring, said Mr Coad.