FUNDS FOR MT. EGMONT.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 29 July 1925, Page 5

FUNDS FOR MT. EGMONT.

FATE OF BOARD’S APPEAL

SOUTHERN BODIES FAVOURABLE

“Naturally, we all are disappointed over the result of our appeal to me Taranaki local bodies for financial assistance, or rather, at the unexpected turn the movement took,” said tne chairman of the Egmont National Park i Board (Mr. T C. List) at tne quarterly meeting of th e board yesterday. Subsequently, in view of the fact that some nortnern local authorities had refused to contribute, but southern had agreed to make donations under certain conditions, it was decided to ask the southern bodies for their contributions, the money to be spent on the south side of the mountain

The chairman said that the board had presenter its cas e to the local bodies’ conference, which unanimously agreed to the suggestion to contribute £SOO for the year on a capital valuation basis. A number of the local bodies agreed to make their contributions contingent on the others contributing. The scheme, however, broke down when the New Plymouth Borough Council intimated that it could not see its way to make a grant this year. Consequently other local bodies took up the attitude that as the leading constituent body had not seen rit to help, they reasonably could not be expected to <jo so. The result was that of the seventeen contributing local bodies ten had replied in favour of making contribution', two of the ten sending along their cheques unconditionally and the other eight making certain provisions. Of the remaining seven, four had refused and three had not replied. As far as the refusals wer e concerned, however, the chairman expressed tlio opinion that the Taranaki and Clifton County Councils would have contributed had the New Plymouth borough its share. Proceeding, the chairman said that the question was whether th e board should proceed further with the schem e or postpone it until next year. Mr. B. C. Lysaglit said that the whole of the local bodies in the southern end had been prepared to contribute, and would still be so inclined if the money were spent on the Dawson Falls track.

Mr. P. Thomson asked if. in the event- of the southern bodies making donations, would it not affect the board’s chances of obtaining £'soo during the coming year from the whol e of the local authorities. Mr. G. Fraser said; he thought it was foolish to risk an annuity of £SOO for the sake of a comparatively small sum from the south.

After some discussion, Mr. Lysaght moved that the board accept contributions offered by the local bodies in the southern end of the province, on the understanding that the amounts so contributed be spent by the southern committee. Mr. C. Good son seconded.

Mr. Thomson moved as an amendment that the board point out that,' owing to the action of some of the northern local bodies, the boardi regretted that it could’ not make use of the southern local bodies’ offer, but ap_ nlication be mad e to th e whole of the local bodies with a- view to having provision made for donations from the various bodies included in next year’s est’mates.

Mr. N. Hughson seconded the amendment. On being put to the vote the amend, ment was thrown out on the chairman’s casting vote, Mr. Lysaght’s motion being carried in like manner.