EGMONT NATIONAL PARK.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 10 December 1928, Page 6

EGMONT NATIONAL PARK.

APPEAL FOR FUNDS. DEPUTATION AT ELTHAM. A deputation consisting of Messrs W. G. Walk ley and J. Bayley, of Hawera, members of the South Committee of the Bgmont National Park Board, waited upon the Eltham County Council at its meeting $n Saturday, requesting a grant to the maintenance fund of the committee. Mr Walkley tendered an apology for the absence of Messrs I. J. Bridger and T. B. Crump and outlined , the object of the quest of the deputation. The council, he said, for various reasons withheld its usual contribution last year, but he understood that no such reasons now existed. The South Committee, by whom any grant would lie handled, desired support for the Dawson Falls hostel, the maintenance of which entailed a heavy annual expenditure. Conditional on local grants the Government would subsidise to the I extent of £SOO. Also, on certain condi--1 tions the T. O. Bruce Trust had granted £250 for four years. Maintenance of roads and tracks was a charge on the board, to- whom funds were not available to do the work as it should be done. Mount Elgmont was yearly becoming more recognised a® a health and convalescent resort and people should be encouraged to visit the hostel. To meet the increasing demands it was desirable that accommodation and sanitary arrangements should be correspondingly improved. The committee had been concentrating on this course insofar as available funds permitted. Grants had recently been made by the Hawera County Council (£SO), Hawera Borough Council (£SO) and the Waimate West County Council £4O) and it was. hoped that the Eltham Council could see its way to fall into line. Mr Bayly assured the council that the money would be spent by the South Committee. The matter was discussed on the retirement of Messrs Walkley and Bayly. The chairman (Or. C. J. Belcher) said that as a former member of the committee, he appreciated its financial difficulties, and favoured a grant being made. He moved that the sum of £4O be voted. This was seconded by Cr. A. \-' Messana and warmly supported by Cr. A. McWilliam, who - considered the object of the appeal was as worthy as many others to which the council had contributed. It would be a matter for regret if such an asset to the province, asi Dawson Falls hostel, depreciated for lack of funds. Cr. Cl El McGuinness also supported the resolution, but thought a balance sheet, showing hqw the money was spent, should be submitted to the council. , An amendment that the amount be reduced to- £3O. moved by Cr. A. L. Campbell, lapsed for want of a seconder. The motion was carried;