Road to Temple Basin

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33680, 1 November 1974, Page 12

Road to Temple Basin

Sir, — I must disagree with the reasoning of recent correspondents who are against the road to the Temple Basin ski area. Such selfish, inconsiderate attitudes must be those of brash, younger skiers who, at present, can easily walk up the foot track. I can too, at present. But think of older members of our ski club and of the public who still wish to enjoy the area. Of course there will always be some people who will ski at Temple Basin regardless of the road, but not in sufficient numbers for the Christchurch Ski Club tb operate successfully a ski area. No, not for long. Let us never forget that taxpayers’ money finances the Arthur’s Pass National Park Board. Why should only a minority group be able to enjoy it? — Yours etc., ADRIENNE M. TAYLOR. October 30, 1974. Sir, —The article published in “The Press” on October 24 said that “the road would cost about $30,000. .” This figure seems to me, as an engineer, far too low for the type of road that I, and I am sure the Arthur’s Pass National Park Board, would like to see. The National Roads Board has for many years had numerous problems with slips and washouts on the Otira Gorge highway, which is used by a great deal of traffic. I fail to see how the cost of maintaining a similar sort of problem road for just a few skiers, who have vehicular access to seven other Canterbury ski-fields, is justified. So let us keep our mountains as mountains rather than $30,000 piles of shingle. I, for one, have no objection to walking up to a ski-field with my skis over my shoulder. — Yours etc., CLIVE COULDWELL. October 30, 1974.