DAWSON PALLS HOSTEL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 14 August 1928, Page 10

DAWSON PALLS HOSTEL.

SUGGESTED I IMPROVEMENTS

MEETING OF SOUTH COMMITTEE

Mr. W. G. WalkJey (chairman) preiided over the quarterly meeting of ;he South Committee of the Egmont : »ark Board, held at Dawson Falls lostel yesterday. There were also jresent: Messrs. G. J. Bayley, B. C. L/yisiaght, A. G. Ear com, E. Long, A. jramlin, A. V. Tait, R. E. \j. Abbott, I. J. Bridger, T. B. >'ump, and H. G. McDonald (secretary). Apologies for absence were •eceived from Messrs. L. 0. Hooker md J. Cocker. . The chairman expressed the opinion that, mainly through the good offices if the Hon. 0. J. Hawken (Minister if Agriculture) andi Mr. H. G. Dickie, there was every probability of the r-ommittee eventually being granted the subsidy previously asked for, and he also stated that as a result of a recent conference more amicable relations' could lie looked for between the South Committee and the Egmont Park Board than had been the case for some time. The committee lias a credit bank lialance of £206 13s 2d, of which amount it was l proposed to place £IOO on deposit. REPORT ON IMPROVEMENTS. The chief business of the meeting was consideration of a report submitted by the sub-committee appointed (Messrs. A. V. Tait and R. G. Cook) in reference to desirable improvements at the hostel. The cornniiteee reported that the services of a practical tradesman had been enlisted to assist it in arriving at its _ conclusions and estimates. The opinion of Mr. J. P. Murphy, custodian of the. hostel, had also been sought in the delilierations. and it had been decided that the most urgent improvements were: The rearrangement of the custodian’s quarters (at present considered very inadequate)'; provision of a bathroom for use of custodian’s family and staff; erection of a dormitory to accommodate four maids; a more commodious sitting room; repairs to office; provision of a boot room and wash house; diversion of sewage drain. The cost of these improvements was estimated to total £675, made up as follows: Carpentering £455, plumbing £67, joinery £6l, drainage and brickwork £SO, pa in ting £42. Should the desired improvements be effected the custodian was agreeable to pay an increased rental of £1 per week to the committee. Mr. Tait explained that owing to the absence of sacking and felt the roof of the main building was structurally faulty, and when a. heavy deposit of snow on the. roof was in process of thawing pools formed, and. rising above the level provided for, caused leakages in the interior of the building. In complimenting Messrs. Tait and Cook on their comprehensive report, Mr. Bridger observed that the ramshackle condition of the building scarcely warranted such an expenditure.

The chairman remarked that a sum of £650 was available, and if the scheme were carried out. the whole of this credit would be absorlved. He thought that in view of the condition of the building the expenditure was scarcely warranted, but he nevertheless considered it a step in the right dirctioii! to obtain the .sendees of two competent men, such as Messrs. Tait and Cook, to draft an estimate before putting the work in hand. Mr. Tait admitted that the schemewas rather ambitions. Pie- failed to see any item that could be deleted, and the only thing to be done was to effect the whole of the improvements or drop the scheme entirely. Even with the use of o.b. timber an exjjenditure of at least £SOO would be involved. Mr. Long asked if it would not bo advisable to get the custodian’s opinion on the matter. He understood that Mr. Murphy was willing to contribute a portion of the expenditure. Mr. Crump maintained that «• portion of the work was necessary from a. sanitary point of view. The cash reserve had been compiled for the express purpose of improving sanitary conditions and increasing the means of. accommodation. _lt was pointed- out that beyond provision of a boot room practically nothing was suggested to meet the accommodation of an increased number of visitors. In reply to Mr. Bayley, the chair ' man said the committee could not look for a Government grant towards building a new hostel—.such aid was ■available only for maintenance of reading. If the suggested improvements were not carried into effect the committee should concentrate on building a. new hostel in a certain time. Then the committee coukl approach the Government with a substantial sum in hand, and, provided an assurance could be given that bodies would he willing to assist the project, there would be- a possible chance of securing a subsidy. It was generally acknowledged that an up-to-date hostel, with reasonable facilities for the comfort of - tourists and participation in outdoor pastimes, such

as tennis, was a necessity. The exlienditure of £6OO in temporary improvements would involve depiecir tion. and the committee’s nest egg would be wiped out in five or six yea rs.

Mr. Tait dissented in this view, contending that the life of protected timber in the locality was nearer Id than six years. Mr. Bridger strongly opposed the outl-av of £6OO on improvements which would mainly a fleet the custodian and In's staff, and maintained that the travelling public should he considered. He agreed that the sum in hand should be held as the nucleus- of a fund for the erection of a new hostel. In reply to Mr. Long’s ouery as to the cost of a now hostel. Mr. Crump said, according to an estimate previously "submitted, it would tost at least £df!oo. With a view to curtailment of the table of suggested improvements, Mr. Murphy was asked for an expression of opinion. After considerable discussion. during which the custodian said lie did not wish to criticise the plan and estimate submitted by Messrs. Tait and Cook, be considered the hoot room a necessity; members of the Alpine Club practically demanded a bathroom-, and if a now office chimney were ere'ted and his own familv rjnarters improved he would he able in carry on for .another year or two. On the motion of Messrs. Bridget and Bavley it was eventually resolved that Messrs. Tait and Cook, with power to act. he authorised to obtain ari estimate for the enlargement of the custodian’s sitting-room and he room, rebuilding the office chimne.. and erection of a ln»ndrv. Mr Lysaight said the matter of cutting down the expenditure to the lowest ’■■ossible figure could verv well he left in the hands of Messrs Tait and Cook. T>espite the f-nir-t t’■ at (lie seconder! Mr Bridget's motion. Mr Bavley sand he was adverse to spending money on repairs and additions to aid buildings.

Oil the principle that continual dripping of water will wear aavay stone, the poniimittee should adopt a policy of persistent applications .for subsidies.. On Mr Taft's own suggestion lie and Mr Cook decided to submit plans and estimates before any expenditure was u nder taken. LOCAL BOMBS’ SUBSIDIES. The chairman drew attention t-o the withdrawal of .subsidies from local bodies. He not iced with .satisl act ion that at its last meeting tire Walnut te , West. County Council had expressed its willingness to render some assistance to the South Committee, which, he pointed out, could not continue its present hand-to-mouth existence. Jt was no argument that, because one local body withheld support, ail the' others should fall into line. O'n the motion of Mr Bayley, the chairman was empowered toi organise special committees to wait upon local bodies with requests for renew r al of subsidies. ELECTRIC POWER. SOFTEST E. The custodian (Mr Murphy) intimated his willingness to install a water oower electric lighting plant at tiro hostel, on condition that he would be reimbursed loir his outlay. Sir Cook considered that the cost ot an alternative -power service fro-m the Kaponga Town Board’s supply should be ascertained. , ~ , The matter was leit m abeyance pending a- report by M r Garni in concerning a small generating plant he had m new. RELVEIWAL OF CUSTODIAN’S LEASE A draft of the term® of .renewal of lease of tire hostel to. Mr Murphy was submitted and discussed at length by both parties. Included in the amended terms, which date from- August 1, are ■ Total prohibition against the cutting of oiieen timber within the reserve; a. 50-50 allocation of toll fees up to £BOO after which amount has been collected the coin in ittee takes 75 per writ, and the custodian 25 per cent; the maintenance of roads within half a mile ot the hostel ; the leased hostel area to be defined by sketch ‘plan prepared under the direction of MrT. B. Crump and the chairman was appointed, wytlr power to act, to peruse and fnrtlrei amend the terms of lease. \ hearty vote of thanks accorded to Messrs Tait- and Cook for their comprehensive report and estimate con cl ride'll the meeting.

TV" APONGA—OKAIAWA —HAWERA CAR SERVICE. LEAVE— Kaponga, 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Kapuni, 8.10 a.m. and 1.10 p.m. Te Ngutu, 8.15 am. and 1.15 p.m. Okaiawa. 8.25 a.m. and 1.25 p.m. Normanby, 8.35 a.m. and 1.35 p.m. Hawera (arr.), 8.45 a.m. and 1.45 p.m Lea.e Hawera (Criterion Garage) on return 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Arrive Kaponga 11.40 a.m. and 4.40 p.m. SATURDAYS and for Special Entertain ments— Leave Kaponga 5.15 p.m., Kapuui 6.24. Te Ngutu 6.30, Okaiawa 6.40 Normanby 6.50, arrive Hawera 7 p.m. Leave Hawera (Criterion Garage). 10.30 p.m arrive Kaponga, 11.10 p.m. PARES— Single: Kaponga-llawera, 4/-: Kaflawera, 1/-. puni-Hawera. 3/-; Te Ngntu-Hawera, 2/b; Okaiawadlawera, 2/-; Normanby H. AMON. Proprietor. Telephones: Criterion Garage. Hawera. No 2310: Kaponga. 51.