Mount Cook staff cuts slated by chief ranger

Press, 12 January 1977, Page 2

Mount Cook staff cuts slated by chief ranger

PA Timaru Effective management of the Mount Cook National Park, including the provision of search-and-rescue and firefighting services, was being Jeopardised by the reduction in Government spending, it was said yesterday. The chief ranger (Mr B. W; Thomas) said that the Government’s staff ceiling had affected the employment of rangers, and the wage bill for park assistants had been cut by $40,000, reducing the number of staff-by eight.

He described the situation as “unrealistic,” when the park board was responsible for providing emergency services for a tourist industry with assets worth S23M. Mr Thomas said he also feared that there might be a loss of life if the park board had to deal with a mountain rescue and a major 'fire in the village at the same time.

“I could not guarantee that we could handle two emergencies like this with our present number of staff,” he said. There were also 11 major air movements, involving about 800 people each day in the park, and the park board’s emergency services could be called out at any time to

attend a major air crash, Mr Thomas said. “We have got the equipment, but it is no good without the men. At present we have only 12 men for search-and-rescue work, and we also have to allow for 1 sick leave and days off.” Mr Thomas said he appreciated that it might be possible to reduce staff in some Government departments, but he said the reduction should not affect emergency services. I The Mount Cook National Park was the only one in New Zealand which had its own > emergency services, whereas others had to rely on outside services. “We are struggling. The situation gives us no flexibility in park management,” he said. Some rangers had been required to work 12 hours a dav, and since the introduction of daylight saving, visitors were using the park more than ever. The park’s interpretative service, which provided slide evenings and lectures, had had to be reduced by half. This reduction had been made reluctantly. There had been 13 search-and-rescue operations last season, taking a total of 834 man-hours. There had been nine operations, involv-

ing 801 man-hours, since April last year, but there had been 50 per cent less staff to do the work, Mr Thomas said.

Rangers had also had to maintain the field radio network, and ensure that the high-altitude huts were in good condition, he said. “All I can do is ask for more money, and hope that we get an increase in the next three years,” Mr Thomas said.