THE NATIONAL PARK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18334, 26 February 1923, Page 8

THE NATIONAL PARK.

CATERING FOR VISITORS. RUAPEHU SKI CLUB'S HUT. SITE FOR HOSTEL DISCUSSED [BT TELEGRAPH.— ASSOCIATION.] WANGANUI, Saturday., Considerable attention is now. being directed toward the making of Tongariro National Park one of the most attractive spots in the North Island. A party consisting of Messrs. J. Allison, Wilks, and Salt, Wanganui, and Scott, of Auckland, have visited the park in an attempt to build the Ruapehu Ski Club's hut, 600 ft. up the Whakapapa Glacier. The material was all cut ready for erection, and ,was packed on horses up a plough track. The weather broke after the first day's march, and it then becamo a very cold v and strenuous task for both men and horses, climbing over rocks and unable to see more than ten yards ahead, owing to the hail, sleet, and snow driven before a heavy gale. All the material was finally landed at the site, but as there was eight inches of snow on the ground, the erection' of the hut had to be left to a later date, though the party were able to get the foundations laid. There is at present a good deal of discussion among mountaineers as to where the proposed hostel should be built in the park. Some members of the park board favour a site on the main ridge running west from the Tama lakes in a direct line between Whakapapa Hut and the hill known as Pukeonaki. This site, which is two miles north of Whakapapa Hut, commands a magnificent view, but is bleak and cold in bad weatW. ■ On this account jome people consider the Wakapapa site the best, as it is well sheltered by native bush, and has other attractions in the way of water* falls, streams, and bush walks. 'S i