TONGARIRO PARK

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 142, 17 June 1924, Page 8

TONGARIRO PARK

SITE FOR PROPOSED HOSTEL.

The Mayor, Mr. R. A. Wright, speaking of the visit paid to the Tongariro National Park by members of the Park Board during'the .week-end for the purpose of .determining the most suitable location for the proposed hostel, said that he was greatly impressed by the possibilities of the park, of 150,000 acres,' and the majestic beauty of the three mountains —Tongariro, Ruapehu, and Ngauruhoe. In his opinion the park, when suitable accommodation is provided, will be a most attractive rest and recuperative resort for many people who wish to get away from the hurry and worry of city life for a few days. The board, said Mr. Wright, narrowed the proposed sites down to two—the "Haunted Whare," about a mile nearer the mountain than Cullen's Camp, and a site adjacent to the existing huts under the mountain—and after a- consideration of the advantages and disadvantages of each the vote went to the "Haunted Whare" site, by five to four, the majority being of opinion that a, hostel in that position would best' serve the interests of all who' visited the pn.rk, those who went to rest as well as those who went to climb. The site, about 7i miles from the railway, stands upon an elevation which commands a magnificent view of Ruapehu and Tongariro, it is approached by a good road, and has an ample and reliable water supply. Mr. Wright added that the honorary ranger, Mr. James Cullen (formerly commissioner of police) had informed him that there was nothing whatever in the alarmist reports that the Scotch heather he had introduced was likely to become a pest. The- heather, though a healthygrower, showed no signs of becoming a spreader and a pest. The park, Mr. Cullen had added, possessed considerable numbers of wild horses (brumbies), and cattle, but these kept well out of sight of the party during the visit.