NATIONAL PARK

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 288, 5 September 1928, Page 12

NATIONAL PARK

PROPOSED EXTENSION OF BOUNDARIES TOLL CHARGES ON VEHICLES A meeting of the Tongariro National Park Board was held at Wellington yesterday, there being present the chairman, Mr. J. A. Thompson (Under-Secretary for Lands), Mr. G. A. Troup (Mayor of Wellington), Mr. G. Baildon (Mayor of Auckland)', Mr. E. Phillips-Turner (Director of Forestry), Mr. B. M. 'Wilson (general manager. Department of Tourist and Health Resorts), Mr. B. C. Aston (N.Z. Institute), and Messrs. W. Salt, A. Simpson, and T. A. Bly th. The chairman reported that Mr. B. C. Aston had been appointed as the representative of the New Zealand Institute on the board in terms of the amehding legislation passed last year. A resolution of thanks to the members of the Ruapehu Ski Club for voluntary work carried out in connection with the Wuihohonu Hut was passed. The question of widening the Ohakune track and disposing of certain trees was further discussed, and it was decided that no further action be taken. Au application from the Ruapehu Ski Club that the track leading to the club’s store room at 'Whakapapa be metalled was deferred for further consideration. The Ruapehu Ski Club wrote offering £35 towards the cost of forming a ski course on the western slopes of Ruapehu, and the board resolved that a subsidy on a £1 for £1 basis up to £35 be approved. A letter was received from the secretary of the Rangataua Alpine Club stating that the club had decided to abandon the proposals in regard to the erection of a mountain hut on the southern slopes of Ruapehu. , . , The chairman fully explained the proposals with respect to extending the boundaries of the park northwards in the direction of Pihanga. A daily rate for camping iu tents was approved based on the weekly rate now in operation. The board considered the question of toll charges for vehicles entering the park in accordance with the by-laws recently made, and it was decided that in regard to private cars belonging to persons staying in the huts the one toll on entering the park will be deemed to cover the toll charges for the period the owner is staying at the huts. The question of erecting a cottage for the ranger and of purchasing a motor-car for his use wits deferred. An application by Mr. A. E. Dunn for grazing rights over a portion of the park adjacent to Ohakune was declined; but. it was decided to grant an application byMr. S. J. Smith for the right to remove certain dead trees for firewood purposes from the land subject to certain safeguarding conditions. A letter was received from the general secretary of the New Zealand Alliance with reference to an article iu a Palmerston North newspaper in regard to granting hotel licenses in the park. The chairman’s reply, stating that “the board is not taking any action in the direction indicated and is strictly observing the present embargo on the King Country area, was approved. A sum of £25 was authorised for the carrying out of further improvements on the Ohakune track.