EGMONT NATIONAL PARK

Hawera Star, Volume LI, 25 May 1932, Page 5

EGMONT NATIONAL PARK

LOWER FEES RECOMMENDED

ISSUE OF SEASON TICKETS

Recommendations that season tickets be issued for cars and drivers at the Egmont National Park were made by the East Committee of the Park i>oard at Stratford last evening, while a proposal to abolish the park fee of Is for car drivers was supported. * The matter of reduction in ear tolls and park fees as an incentive to greater patronage of the reserve had been considered and it had been decided to submit the following ideas to all committees and to ask for their views, stated a letter from the Park Board. -.an. receipt of reports the executive of the board' proposed to deal with them and to make application for amendment to the present schedule to give effect to the proposals. The whole question would be reviewed after six months’ trial of any alterations.

The submissions were: (a) That on all occasions half rates be charged for primary' and secondary schools in organised parties of not less than 20; (b) that the Is fee now paid by drivers of cars other than taxis be abolished; (c) that on Sunday's the charge for private cars be toll Is, park fee Is per person, with a maximum of 5s for a private car. Mr. J. O. Robins (chairman of the committee) thought the abolition of the charge for the driver was a good proposal, but he considered that the proposed maximum charge of 5s would encourage the crowding of a large number of people into one car to avoid paying tolls on two cars. Inquiries had shown that in all cases visitors thought the trip was well worth the cost. The complaints were made by' local people, especially' car owners, who found the expense of taking their friends to Elgmont excessive in that the driver in paying for himself and the car was obliged by' etiquette to pay' also for liis passengers. Mr! Robins’ solution was the issue of season tickets, every ticket to admit a driver and his car.

The committee decided to recommend to the board: “(1) That the toll of Is for car drivers be eliminated ; (2) that children under ten years accompanied by adults be admitted free and that half rate be charged to school children from 10 to 15 years; (3) that as it is essential for a ticket to be issued to every' person for production on demand the suggested maximum Sunday' charge is not acceptable and that the committee’s previous proposal of a season ticket of £1 Is to cover a car and driver during a financial year be substituted, every' committee to have the right to issue such tickets for admission to their respective areas only.”

The board will be recommended to make uniform at all bouses the charges for accommodation in buildings other than hostels.

The board will also be recommended to authorise committees to issue non-transferable annual season tickets for £1 Is to any individual member of a mountain club and to give concession in accommodation fees to financial members of mountain clubs.