TONGARIRO PARK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17335, 5 December 1919, Page 6

TONGARIRO PARK.

The decision of the Railway Department to reinstate excursion fares again raises thq question of the accommodation to be provided this summer for visitors to the Tongariro National Park. The Minister for Tourist and Health Resorts has decided against the erection of an accommodation house, and all he can promise for the approaching holiday season is a double hut near the headwaters of the Whakapapanui Stream. This, even with the existing hut accommodation, is totally insufficient. The Minister suggests that if the new hut proves inadequate it may be enlarged, but there is little comfort in this prospect for the multitude of people who are waiting for an opportunity of visiting the park under conditions of reasonable comfort. The park can never be put to its full use as a health and holiday resort until the Government erects an accommodation house providing not only shelter but food for visitors. Such establishments have already been erected on Mount Cook and Mount Egmont. The Tongariro National Park should have equal residential facilities. By his administration of the Railways Department Mr. Massey has already demonstrated that conditions have eased sufficiently for one Department to study the public convenience. Mr. Nosworthy's Department should not hesitate longer to undertake the comparatively trifling expense necessary to unlock the gigantic playground and sanatorium of the central mountain system to the public who own the park.