Park Board Plans For Otira Side

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31145, 23 August 1966, Page 16

Park Board Plans For Otira Side

Evidence of growing' interest by West Coast people in the Otira side of Arthur’s Pass National Park is being recognised by the park board in its plans for the development of the area. The Lands and Survey Department in Hokitika has already accepted the board’s invitation to take an active interest in the affairs of the park, particularly in the development of the Westland section.

Mr M. J. Fitzgerald, Assist-ant-Commissioner of Crown Lands in Christchurch and chairman of the Arthur’s Pass National Park Board, said yesterday that there was a growing emphasis on the western side in the board’s plans. Mr Fitzgerald formally took over chairmanship of the board from the Commissioner of Crown Lands (Mr N. S. Coad) at a meeting of the board at Arthur’s Pass during the week-end. “Many people living on the West Coast use the park, and we now feel that many more will do so as our plans develop,” Mr Fitzgerald said. “With the increase in traffic from the Haast Pass it is probable that people will also want to .enjoy the attractions of the western section of the park. Hokitika Meeting “To demonstrate the board’s recognition of the West Coast side of the park, the board proposes to hold a meeting, either in October or February, at Hokitika. It will seek the opportunity to discuss future plans for development with the Westland County Council and other interested, bodies,” he said. The board has already ap-l proved in principle the establishment of a permanent ranger’s public inquiry office, with house attached, at Otira. A proposal of the New Zealand Forest Service at HokiI tika to span the Otehake river at the lower end of the gorge was approved by the board I at its meeting. The bridge I will be about 25 minutes’ walk upstream from the confluence of the Otehake and Taramakau rivers. The secretary of the board (Mr W. M. Olliver) said that apart from its value for noxious animal control the bridge would be a valuable asset for persons travelling down the Taramakau left bank and would enable them to take a safe, if longer route, to Aickens by way of Lake Kaurapataka. There is no change in the control of noxious animals in the park. The Parliamentary select committee's report debated in the House had been adopted in its entirety, he said. I The Inland Revenue De-

partment has advised the board that donations made to park boards by individuals are allowable as special tax exemptions under the Land and Income Tax Act. The exemption for donations is restricted to £25 a year, and to obtain the exemption a minimum donation of £1 must be made and a receipt produced. A letter of appreciation was received by the board from the St. Matthew's scout group for sending out a party to look for venturer scouts overdue on a tramping expedition in the park. A donation of £3 3s was enclosed. The Boys’ Brigade is to hold its 1967-68 national camp in the park. It will be for about 10 days from December 28, 1967, and 150 to 200 boys are likely to attend.