MOUNTAIN HOUSE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 8226, 26 May 1905, Page 2

MOUNTAIN HOUSE.

CONFERENCE OF DELEGATES.

A conference of representatives from llawcra, Stratford, and Eltham met at Klth.'iin on Thursday afternoon to consider tho proposal of the Hawera ChamHer of Commerce to urge the erection of an up-to-date houses on Mount Egmont. Mr Robbins (Mayor of Mawera) was voted to the chair, and there were also present : Messrs F. J. Wrigley, J. Brunette, A. Atkinson (Hawera), R. Hornby (Manaia), G. W. Tayler, T. B. Crump, H. G. Carman, L. Hill, W. C. Page, ju»., C. A. Wilkinson, and F. E. Kardy (Eltham), N. J. King, R. Dingle, 11. Wilson, and W. P. Kirkwood (Stratford). Mr Robbins briefly introduced the subject. Closo upon 3000 had visited Egmont during the season, and it was quite time that better ticcommodalion was provided, hence- this meeting, representing ifawera, Stratford and Eltham. IVrsonally he thought it would be inadvisable to approach the Minister right away; it would bo belter lo wait till they had a properly prepared scheme to put before him. Jle thought a strong deputation should be sent to Wellington to interview no Premier, Sir Joseph Ward, and Hon. C. H. Mills, and induce them lo go into the matter thoroughly from a business point of view. Mr King (Mayor of Stratford) said that while Stratford was prepared to leave tJie matter of the site in abeyance and for determination by tlie Government, they desired facilities for a round trip from Stratford to Iho Dawson Falls. The cost of this road (dray) would perhaps lu; 'about £700 or £800.

Mr Jlornby (Mann in) thought the lime was not yet rinn for the house, iljs reasons were as follows : The country required money for metalling their roads, tho National Park Hoard might possibly oppose the movement, local interests should be seen to before tourist development, and lastly the Southern Committee had petitioned the Government, for a further advance of £1400. Ife moved, That the South and East Committees co-oper-alc, and that two members be appointed by the Boroughs of Eltham, Stratford and Mawera, together with two representatives of the Plains and one from the Kaponga district, to enable them to take up and carry out all necessary work for the south and east portions of Mount Egmont. 3Jr Atkinson seconded tlie motion pro fovma.

Mr Robbins said they did not want to interfere with other votes at all. There wms a certain amount- of money granted each year, and they wanted " the new house built out of, that money. (Hear, hear.)

Further explanations were here made, in reply to questions by Messrs Bobbins and Hornby, as to what- had be^n done by the Hawera Chamber of Commerce and the South Egmont Committee. j Mr Tayler thought the committee should '.concentrate their efforts upon a certain (spot, but the feeling of the other, members appeared to be that this aspect should bo sunk. The speaker urged that the outing was the great attraction, and he questioned whether the construction of a new house would increase the traffic. He predicted, too., as soon as the Government agreed and made the money available the striqgs. wo,i\ld, commence to work as to where the house was to be built. , Messrs Atkinson, Dingle, Wilkinson. Wvigley and Hardie spoke, after which Mr Hornby's resolution' was negatived. I Mr Wilson (Stratford) moved. In the opinion of this meeting the .time has come when an up-to-date mountain house should be erected on the southern side of Mount Kgmont. with connecting roads between Stratford, Eltham and Hawera. and that the Government should be approached to do tlio work.

Mr Wilkinson seconded. Both speakers warmly eulogised the mountain as an asset, and after tho matter had been discussed the motion was carried unanimously. Messrs Robbins, Wrigjpy and Brunette (Ifawera), Tayler, Crump and Wilkinson (Eltham), Limbrick and Hornby (Mauaia), King, Dingle and Wilson (Stratford), and Robertson (Kaponga) wove appointed to arrange for the deputation to Wellington. M> Bobbins was appointed chairma-n and Mr C. A. Wilkinson secretary. The meeting then rose.