Summit track

Press, 14 May 1988, Page 22

Summit track

Sir, —After having just finished reading the biography of Harry Ell and last Sunday walking the Crater Rim Walkway from Coopers Knob to the Pilgrims Rest at the Bridle Path, I was horrified to note that opposite the Sign of the Bellbird is a sign reading “Ella’s Track.” I believe, and hope, that this track is named after Harry Ell, whose vision of a road and track from Sumner to the Akaroa Heads with rest areas along the way, was at least in some way fulfilled, although with some heartache and sometimes open opposition from the city elders of the day. He dedicated the best part of his life to this vision and I, and 40-odd others who walked this track at the same time, would certainly agree he had given us in our generation so much enjoyment and appreciation of the hills and the magnificent views available on a lovely day like last Sunday. Please, whoever is responsible for that sign, change the name to that of the man who did so much to guarantee us this wonderful 25km of track and not that of an Australian rugby player of not so many years ago. — Yours, etc., BILL BROWN, Tower Tramping Club. May 3, 1988.

[The deputy general manager (parks) of the Christchurch City Council, Mr R. J. Dally, replies: “Albert G. Allom was a staff surveyor for the Lands and Survey Department, and was responsible for much of the surveying of the Summit Road. Through his association with the area, he struck up a friendship with Harry Ell. Ella was the maiden name of Albert Allom’s wife, and it is understood that Harry Ell named this portion of the track after her through this friendship. It is interesting to note that the rocky point just above the start of Ella’s Track, and just outside the boundary of Kennedy’s Bush Reserve, is named Mount Ada after Harry Ell’s wife. I trust that Mr Brown continues to enjoy the 29 Port Hills scenic reserves totalling 407 hectares signposted and maintained by the parks and recreation department of the Christchurch City Council.”]