EGMONT PARK BOARD.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 12 November 1925, Page 5

EGMONT PARK BOARD.

SOUTHERN COMMITTEE MEETS. Many matters affecting the Dawson Falls Hostel and track, and others dealing with the general policy, were discussed and dealt with at a meeting in Eitham yesterday by the southern committee of the Egmont Park Board. Mr, T. B. Crump presided, and there were also present Messrs E. Long, A. F. Gamlin (Manaia), R. G. Cook, A. V. Tait, and A. Bates (Kaponga), and Mr. A. E. Moss (secretary). The question of straying cattle in the reserve was brought up by Mr. Gamlin, who said that large numbers had apparently been turned in to secure the feed during the bad spell of weather. They were, he added, doing an immense amount of harm. Members agreed, and considered that a ranger was required. It was agreed to do everything possible to do away with the nuisance of straying stock. Referring generally to the board’s work, the chairman said its powers were more or less in the air, and it would be necessary to have an alteration to its constitution. He went on to refer briefly to the reports received from the Department on the cost of work necessary to. put the tracks and tlie hostels in a thoroughly good position to deal with the ever-increasing volume of visitors. The estimates covered the widening of tracks to both hostels. He added that it was owing to the receipt of these reports that the engineers of Hawera, Eitham, and Waimate West had not, as was previously decided, been -called on to report and advise. *He also mentioned the amount- that was suggested to be paid to the board for the next four years in order to complete the whole scheme. There was, however, nothing definitely fixed. He paid a tribute to the ready and effective reply to the requests made for reports by the big deputation that waited on Ministers in September last.

Th© committee’s immediate business was to keep the tracks, in order and to do necessary repairs to the hostel at Dawson Falls, required in view of the busy season. ( It was agreed that repairs specified be left to Mr. Murphy and Mr. Tait, and that the, piano in the old house be renovated at a cost of £ls.

Mention in appreciation was made of the fact that the overdraft had been wiped out and a credit balance of £93 built up, but it would, be necessary to pay off the debt owing by the committee, and it was agreed to pay this off at the rate of £2OO per annum. Considerable, discussion took place on the matter of repairs generally to the hostel and tracks, there being a subsidy from the local bodies of £2OO per annum and £SOO granted by the board for the work at both sides of the mountain. The chairman said he would see that the claims of the south were duly protected in the allocation of the latter sum. Mr. Moss urged that work should be pushed on at once on the track, in view of the approach of the Christmas season. He pointed out. that in order to secure the Government subsidv it was necessary to supply vouchers showing expenditure locally, and a considerable sum was immediately necessary. The chairman said that the board could go ahead at once and see that the subsidy was secured for the south. Votes of thanks to the chairman and to the Borough Council for the use of the room were carried, and the meeting terminated.