TONGARIRO PARK

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 136, 10 June 1924, Page 6

TONGARIRO PARK

HOSTEL ACCOMMODATION

MATTERS NEARING FINALITY.

(BI TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL TO THE POST.)

AUCKLAND, This Day. At the annual meeting of the .'.Tonga* : riro National Park Sports Club on ,I'iiday, Sir James Gunson, member of tha Park Board, referred to the much-de-bated question of the site for the hostel at the Park. He said he could state with confidence that the. board was now ' nearing finality with regard to the question, and there were grounds for believing that the matter would be definitely settled when the board met it Wanna* riuo next Friday. The choice had beeii narrowed down to the sites at Whakapapa and the "Haunted Whaie".and Ilia board would have now to decide which was better suited' for hostel purposes. This 'question having been determined the board would probably authorise tho preparation of plans for the hostel arfd the -letting of a, lease for the building and functioning' rights. The- idea would be to give .the public the.best possible, and it was to be hoped that private enterprise - would supply the means. The plans baying been prepared, the board would invite tenders, on liberal lines as to tenure, but strict as to condition of comfort at theihostel. 'GREAT STRIDES TO BE MADE. "We are going to make great' strides during the next twelve months," said Sir James, "and lovers of the Park are going to have their desires realised in connection with the provision of an up-to-date hostel and loading system, Avliich will make it possible for motorists to visit the Park all the year.round. Formation of the Bruce road has been approved, and the work let to the Prisons Department, which lias had a gang of men employed. for some weeks past iv preliminary work. The road will be completed by next season, and will provide motor ■ access to the Haunted Whare and a passable track up to Whakapapa huts. Arrangements ara also being made for the improvement of Waimarino-Taupo road." A MAGNIFICENT PLAYGROUND. .The wide field of activities which would open to sports clubs when the Park was fully accessible was emphasised by the speaker, who spoke-of the nne nshing that even'now was obtainable, and of the promotion of various sports which would make a stay at the hostel .doubly enjoyable. "Tongarirb rant will shortly come into its own"concluded Sir James,* "and will smrojy not only Aucklanders but people from all parts of the Dominion with a magnificent playground, whose attractions both m summer and winter will be unsurpassed."