Better facilities for hill users urged

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32977, 25 July 1972, Page 14

Better facilities for hill users urged

Clearer access to tracks on the Port Hills and the provision of car parks were needed if trampers and sightseers were to be encouraged to explore the hills in greater numbers, the Summit Road Scenic Society agreed at its meeting last evening.

The meeting decided to write to the Wairewa County Council requesting a clearer delineation of the track at Gebbies Road and the provision of a car park. Mr G. Lee, a member of the society, said that more people would make use of the scenic facilities on the hills if they knew what their legal rights were. The Lands and Survey Department would also be reminded by the society to signpost portions of track, the meeting decided. Complaints from fanners about missing sheep and

lamb: needed to be seen in perspective, said Mr C. Turner, a society member. This was, to a considerable degree, the result of hill farming; sheep and lambs could easily become caught in scrub and become lost in gullies, he said. Speaking about the extension of the Summit Road from Gebbies Pass towards Akaroa, Mr J. W. Jameson, publicity officer, said that it was not the society’s policy to oppose or support the road. He said that the society’s chief concern was to see that no bush or scenery was damaged in the process. “We think people should be given access to the scenic reserves that are available, whether it be by truck or improved road. We want to see the scenic reserves set aside for all time, and linked,” he said. Officers elected were: Patron, Sir George Manning; president, Mr W. D. Douglas; vice-president, Dr M. H. Aiken; secretary, Mr L. J. Daniel; treasurer, Mr F. J. Murray; committee, Messrs J. W. Jameson, G. Lee, R. Linton, C. Turner and C. H. Holdsworth.