DAWSON FALLS HOSTEL

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 19 September 1934, Page 11

DAWSON FALLS HOSTEL

IMPROVEMENTS AUTHORISED LOUNGE AND PROMENADE SOUTH COMMITTEE MEETS. Structural alterations to the interior of Dawson Falls hostel to be undertaken at a cost not to exceed £llO were authorised by the South Committee of the Egmont National Park Board which met at the Falls hostel yesterday afternoon. Members present were Messrs W. G. Walkley (chairman), Ira. J. Bridger, B. C. Lysaght, A. V. Tait, E. L- Abbott, the secretary (Mr L. O. Hooker) and the hostel manager (Mr J. P. Murphy). Apologies for absence were received from Messrs G. J. Bayley, I- B. Crump and E. Long. Mr Geo. Meuli (Wanganui) was in attendance to discuss with the committee the matter of structural alteiations which, he said, would not cost more than £llO. It was proposed to dismantle three of the bedrooms opposite the dining room and remodel that part of the building to form a larger lounge than the existing accommodation with arches giving access to a glass-enclosed promenade on the present south-west verandah, continuous with the front verandah, the latter giving an uninterrupted view of Mount Egmont. Already one section of the front verandah had been enclosed in glass and formed a delightful sun-porch where tea could be served and enoyed by guests in comfort. The same enclosure around the outside of the proposed lounge would give an even greater degree of comfort. In addition to this work, Mr Meuli. also submitted a scheme to alter the arrangement of a passage and the present sitting room on the south side of the hostel overlooking the southern plains. He suggested that in order to compensate for the loss of three small bedrooms taken up by the lounge, the sitting room be turned - into a bedroom with sufficient space for three beds and a passage constructed to connect the south verandah with the fernery and the dining-room. The committee considered the plans siibmitted and expressed appreciation of the generosity of Mr Meuli who offered to do the work at the cost of materials only. On the motion of Mr Bridger, Mr Meuli was granted authority to carry out the work in accordance with the plans and specifications submitted at a cost not to exceed £llO.

The chairman, in expressing the committee’s thanks to Mr Meuli, said that the improvements to be effected would still further popularise the hostel and the resort.

Mr Meuli responded and said he hoped to have the work completed by October 20.

On the suggestion of Mr It. Syme the committee. considered the advisability of installing a high-powered-electric signalling lamp directed towards the mountain for use in emergency—either to recall search parties or to give messages to Fantham’s Peak observers arranged on a prearranged code. It was agreed that such a lamp would be of a definite advantage and the matter was referred to Messrs Sjme and Hooker as a sub-committee to submit a. report at the next meeting. On the further suggestion of Mr Syme it was decided to keep in view the possibility of further improvements to the ski track. The chairman reported that he was hopeful of being able to secure further information as to ways and means of flood-lighting Dawson Falls. He had made enquiries to secure a suitable type of lamp and further developments were awaited.

Members visited the new power ( house in the bed of the Kapuni stream; near the hostel and general satisfaction expressed of the excellence of the interior appointments. The plant had operated satisfactorily since completion and the boon of electric heating appliances and lighting was evidenced by the warmth and the bright illumination of the hostel and camp houses. In addition to motive power for the generating station the pipe line also conveys to the hostel a high pressure water supply reading betwen 80 and 90 lbs to the square inch. The tidy appearance of the grounds and the brightness of the flower borders, which had escaped damage by the recent heavy snow fall, were noted.