MINISTER IMPRESSED

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 285, 28 August 1933, Page 8

MINISTER IMPRESSED

Alpine Sports Popular at National Park SNOWFIELD DEPUTATION By Telegraph.—Press Association. The Ciiateau, August 26. A unique experience befel the Minister in Charge of Tourist and Health Resorts, the Hon. A. Hamilton, during his visit of inspection to National Park to-day, when he was approached by a deputation from the Ruapehu Ski Club at Salt Hut, situated at a height of 5500 ft. on Mount Ruapehu—the highest altitude at which a Minister of the Crown has ever received a deputation in New Zealand. Mr. Hamilton, together with Mrs. Hamilton, climbed 3* miles from the Chateau on foot, and spent an interesting day in the snow watching skl-lng contests on Scoria Flat. They returned at nightfall after a strenuous outing, greatly impressed with the growing popularity of winter eports, in which more than 300 people of both sexes are participating at the Chateau this week. Standing in the'snow with-the afternoon sun tinting adjacent peaks, the Minister listened to the representations of the Ski Club for the speeding up of the present measures for improving the access to the ski-ing ground, and the erection of additional accommodation at Salt Hut. The president, Mr. A. D. Mead (Auckland), said that while he fully appreciated the limitations of the department as regarded finance, he felt strongly that by providing a room in which contestants and visitors could ■ enjoy a comfortable lunch while watching the sports, encouragement would be given to more people to visit the Chateau, with corresponding financial returns to the Tourist Department. Mr. R. Syme, of Hawera (vice-presi-dent) urged that improvements be effected during the coming summer in readiness for next year’s New Zealand amateur ski championships, which would be held at Ruapehu. In reply the Minister said that not long ago the rocky steeps around National Park were looked upon as waste, and it was now realised that they possessed immense value from the sporting and health points of view. “I believe that any money spent in this park will help save doctors’ bills,” he added. “At the same time expenditure of this kind is a direct charge on the J taxpayers. Whatever we do the first consideration is to make the Chateau pay, and if by spending money on improvements heite we can encourage' more people to come, that course will meet with my ■ approval.” Mr. B. L. Dallard, Under-Secretary of Justice and Controller-General of Prisons, said it was hoped to add further attractions to the park by constructing new tracks and paths to some of the beauty places. . The Minister left on his return to Wellington to-night.