Porter Heights

Press, 7 July 1977, Page 16

Porter Heights

Sir, — “The Press” carried an advertisement on June 25 on behalf of Porter Heights Ski-field in which it is claimed that the ski facities operate seven days a week. Today, in clear weather, I set out to the skifield for a day’s ski-ing, reassured as 1 drove through Springfield by a sign stating that the ski-field was open, only to find it closed. Ski-ing is an expensive pastime in which one expects to make an occasional unsuccessful trek to the ski-fields, but that it should be due to the impropriety of the ski-field operators is quite unacceptable. The company concerned would do well to look to its service to the customer, the public, by whose patronage it remains in business. — Yours, etc., W. H. van OOSTEROM. June 27 ,1977.

[Mr P. M. Hargreaves, chairman of Porter Heights Developments, Ltd, replies: “The Porter Heights ski-field is operating seven days a week, weather permitting. In the first three weeks of operating, the management found patronage on Mondays was negligible and closed the field for maintenance. We regret that this was not reflected in the advertisements referred to and concede our error. As compensation for his journey we offer your correspondent a free ski pass on any day of his choice if he writes to me at P.O. Box 536, Christchurch. The sign at Springfield is maintained by a garage at its own initiative, not by the company. It appears that in the case in question the sign had been left in position from the previous day. All our advertisements ask patrons to call Seekers at 792-720 for details of conditions at the field on the day. This can sometimes save an abortive journey.”]