MOUNTAIN HOSTELS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 24 July 1925, Page 3

MOUNTAIN HOSTELS.

| DAWSON FALLS AND STRATFORD. | 'EAST COMMITTEE’S VIEWS. That there was room for a third house placed well up on the mountain and not in the .bush,-as the other two houses were, was the opinion expressed at a meeting of th e East .Committee.of the National Park Board, held at Stratford yesterday, reports the Stratford Post. Air, P. Thomson said that ofi the three houses the Stratford one was the easiest of access. Mr. T. R. Anderson agreed, and si}id that in that respect th© Stratford House was much -better than the Hawson Falls House, the drive to which was somewhat tortuous. Mr. Anderson said that.if the East House was not to be used it could he utilised in connection with the otherhouses, which needed additional buildings. He further pointed out that the traffic problem at the other two houses was somewhat pressing. In answer to Mr. Anderson, Air. Thomson said that from information obtained by the Hostel Company it seemed that the inclination of the Government was in the direction of supporting- two houses —Dawson Falls and North Egmontlt had* to be looked at from a broad standpoint, and all .sections should work together with the object of increasing tho facilities to the mountain at th© lowest possible cost! Stratford certainly had an advantage in lieing the nearest large town to the Dawson. Falls house, although at present a good deal of traffic went the other way. Of course, when the Alain Trunk railway was finished Stratford would become the centre 'for people desiring to go to th© Dawson Falls House. Air. Anderson said it looked as though the best police might be to support Dawson Falls House, with a proviso that a road be made round to there via the Stratford House later. He was, however, not- altogether in favour of amalgamating if any other course, could be adopted. He thought the Stratford Borough Council and the Progress League should he approached to ascertain their views. Air- C. Carter said he was of opinion that the Progress League would favour the Stratford. House. Mr. Thomson thought the Borough Council was also favourable. Air. J. T. Belc-hej- did not like the idea- of abandoning the Stratford House, in view of all the money thathad been spent there. Air. Thomson said that if they went in with the Dawson Falls House they should stipulate that the road between the two houses should he put in order eventually. Air. J. 0. Rollins : AYe must see that we do not lose our identity. Air. Thomson pointed out that- they must make an early decision. If they

put the house in order they would have to that the road was made satisfactory before the commencement of the season, so that they would not lose another season’s revenue. After further discussion it was decided, on the motion of Air. Thomson, seconded by Air. Belcher: “That th© committee ask tli© Park Board when considering the building of a new hostel on the south-eastern slopes of Egmont to consider the question of its erection on a chosen site on the plateau or other suitable position above the present Stratford House.” - It was decided to, request the board to remit to the East Committee the amount standing to the credit of tlio latter.