EGMONT PARK CONTROL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 17 March 1928, Page 5

EGMONT PARK CONTROL.

SOUTH COMMITTEE WORK. REPRESENTATIVES APPOINTED. At the statutory annual meeting of the South Committee of the Egmont National Park Board, held at Manaia yesterday afternoon, Messrs. B. C. Lysaght (Haweite County representative) and G. J. Bay ley (Hawera Borough) were appointed as the representatives of the committee on the board. There were present at the meeting Messrs. \V. G. Walkley (chairman), G. J. Bay ley, B. C. Lysaght, A. G. Laroom, N. C. Innes, Jas. Hickey, E. Long, A. V. Tait, J. Cocker, T. B. Crump, R. G. Cook, E. L. Abbott, and 11. G. McDonald (■secretary). Apologies for absence were received from Messrs'. A. Ganilin jand I. J. Bridger. Welcome greetings to Messrs. Bayley, Cocker and Abbott, who as the newly appointed representatives on the committee of the Hawera Borough, the Eltham County, and the Kaponga Town District respectively were in attendance for the first time, were voiced by the chairman, who expressed the hope that the new members would find much to interest them in the work of the committee and that they would he able to co-operate in the common aim to administer its affairs to the best possible advantage. The occasion being the first on which the committee had assembled at Manaia. a welcome to all members was voiced on behalf of the townspeople by Mr. Innes, the chairman of the Town Board. ‘‘CURIOUS POSITION. ’ ’

“Constitutionally we are required to hold the annual meeting this month, and this places us m a rather curious position,” said the chairman in explaining that, according to the Act, the committee was required to hold an annual meeting during March to appoint two representatives oil the Park Board. As, however, the financial year of the committee terminated on March 31, it was not possible to review the year’s finance and present a report of activities in the form usually observed at the annual meeting of a body. In proposing Messrs. Lysagh,t and Bayley as the committee’s representatives 1 on the board, Mr. Long said that Mr. Lysaght as the former representative, together with Mr. C. Goodson, had served the interests of the committee and the board with the utmost distinction. The speaker hoped that Mr. Lysaght would Ire able to continue in the office, and he felt syre that Mr. Bayley would also prove a worthy representative. The chairmar, who declined 1 nomination. also voiced sincere appreciation of tlie manner in which Mr. Lysaght had attended to the duties, and endorsed Mr. Long’s remarks; concerning Mr. Bayley.

Other members spoke in similar terms, and the appointments were endorsed unanimously.

Following the appointment of the representatives, the routine business of' the annual meeting was adjourned until next month. SERVICES APPRECIATED.

Tribute to the work carried out by Air. C. Goodson as a member of the committee for many years and as its representative on the board was paid by Air. Crump, on whose motion a vote of thanks was accorded Air. Goodson in appreciation of his services. Votes of thanks were also accorded the other two retiring members of the committee, Atessrs. C. J. Belcher (Eltham) and- A. R. Bates (Kaponga). “From our point of view the recent excursion to the falls sponsored by the Railway Department was a complete success. I think it- brought one of tae largest crowds- which has ever assembled- at the falls,” said the chairman in referring to events since the previous meeting of the committee. • Signs had been erected on . the mountain track at intervals of half :i mile, denoting the distance on the track and the altitude, further reported the chairman. In accordance with the instructions’ of the previous meeting, inquiry had been made concerning the insurance of property at the falls, hut owing to the isolated position a reduction of rates could not at present be expected. Replying to a communication from the chairman of the committee, thesecretary of the hoard (Air. H. Bailv) stated that- the board had already decided to apply to the Government- for €SOO. and that at its next meeting the board would consider the request of the committee that application should he made for a similar sum specifically for improving the road to Dawson Falls- and in opening up and improving the tracks above the falls. A letter received from the- Alinistei in charge of Tourist and Health Pn-s-orts (the Hon. V 7. Nosworthy) stated he would be nleased. on the occasion of bis- next visit to Taranaki, to ->ept the invitation extended bv t l ’" •ommittee to- view the re-sort- mT mountain mad at Alount Egmont. REVENUE DETAILS. A report of the custodian of the hostel (Air. P. J. Murphy) covering the period- from April I. 1927, to March, 1928, averaging the revenue during the latter month at £6O. gave the following details concerning the numbers of visitors, cars, and fe jl s. paid : Visitors for the dav and to the old house. 7799) (fees- £389 19s 6cD: visitors in hostel. 1825 (£9l ss: visitors in cottnee (£27 Is 6d) : cars i” •v>rk, 01 9? (£274); estimated total fees. £782 6s. At the -on cl us-ion of the meetilie the committee-e were tb° nwests of the Alanaia members at afternoon tea.