TARARUA RANGES

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 192, 11 May 1937, Page 13

TARARUA RANGES

Tramping Clubs’ Proposal NATIONAL MEMORIAL Blaus for making the Tararua Ranges a Centennial Memorial National Park were approved by a conference held during rhe week-end of representatives of IVellington tramping clubs. The plans were approved with the ideal of "making available to the whole of the Wellington Province the fullest possible facilities for health, enjoyment, and recreation consistent with the preservation of the native flora and fauna.” The essential features of the scheme were the reconstitution and improvement of 200 miles of tracks, the provision of four access roads to the lower bush line, and the erection of four bunkhouse hostels. Mr. Ormond Wilson, M.P., presided at the meeting. In suggesting that, the Tararua Ranges be constituted as a national memorial, Mr. Hoggard, a member of the Tararua club, said the suggestions made for the erection of a memorial on the Petone beach and for (lie construction of a coast road from the Wainui to the Wairarapa were purely local matters and of no interest to the province as a whole. lie had asked the Tararua club to draft out a scheme and this had been done. The extension of the boundaries of the park beyond those of the State Forest Reserves was strongly advocated and the conference resolved, through the Federated Mountain Clubs of New Zealand, to urge upon the Government the necessity for acquiring all pri-vately-owned areas of native bush contiguous to the ranges. The danger that threatened the bush behind Levin was not appreciated even by trampers, said Mr. N. Thompson, of the Levin-Waiopehu club, as it was not generally known that this ridge was privately owned and that the milling rights for the whole area had recently been let. Even the State Forest Service had given a right of way for the felled timber to be taken over its own land, and, as a result, it was understood that milling was to commence within a few monfilis. The Government had appointed an insiiector who was now camped on the spot, and it: was said that he corrolorated the fear of floods and erosion that were likely to result.

The reading problem provoked the keenest discussion by the conference and the general view was taken that access roads through the bush presented too much risk of fire and wanton destruction. After a full discussion the conference decided to support the road which it was proposed was to lead from the Pakuratahi public works camp, Kaitoke, over the track known as the “Jhiffer” across the saddle to the knob overlooking Smith’s Creek and the Tauherenikan TUver, as long as it did not proceed beyond the bush line. Two extensions of access roads jvere ap-

proved. The first, from the Levin Pipe Bridge to the bush edge at the entry to Capper’s track, and the other to the bush edge at) the Waingawa River. The conference favoured the erection'of hostels at.the Te Moemoe, “Puffer” Saddle, Waingawa and Mangahao road ends, but strenuous objection was voiced in regard to any commercialisation and also to the operation of any private enterprise. Several speakers urged that the project was a cultural one and that the purpose of the hostels was to encourage the public to visit and enjoy the park. It should not be necessary to wait until the scheme was a money-making proposition before they were erected. It was unanimously agreed that charges should not be made for the use of the tracks and the facilities therein, excepting a reasonable charge for the use of the hostels within the park edges.