MOUNT EGMONT.

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 81, 3 February 1928, Page 5

MOUNT EGMONT.

NjV wnxiaa snt.T, ox ■. Sir, —I feel sure that the explanation offered by the Chairman of the Park Board as contained in Wednesday’s Post will not satisfy those who know the ins and outs of park matters. It does not satisfy me and I know Very little of park affairs. I am, however, quite satisfied to trust the Southern (Committee in what they hav e done, ! ” ' i Sir, I have frequently heard it

stated that the chairman makes the interests of the mountain subserve those of New Plymouth. Well, after all, it i s natural for him to do so. 'All, or at least the majority, of his interests are in New Plymouth; he is, therefore, naturally desirous of helping that town. In regard to the scheme for developing the northern end so successfully conducted lately, I was told some time ago that the project was first mooted by the Southern Committee, but before they actually moved they found that the Northerners had got a provision inserted in some washing-up bill Avithout discussio n with the Southerners, and if there was nothing to hide, why was the Press excluded from the meeting that dealt with the matter. And I don't know the rights and wrongs of it, but I have heard it said that a sum of something like £1!)0 a little while ago Avas diverted from south to north.

The chairman refers to the peak as being the Province's greatest heritage. Mount Egmont is all that, and it largely i s an unappreciated heritage. We of the plains become satisfied with a flat, stale, and more or less unprofitable existence, and would be much benefited by the winds and views of the uplands. I am Wholly opposed to Sunday excursions, but I say emphatically that Hawera has not. done its ( ' lie to develop the very splendid holiday rescrt which lies at its door. Now that a cleavage has apparently taken place, I think that Stratford, Eltham and Hawera interests should unite and promote with all enthusiasm the Dawson Falls project with a first-class motor road to Stratford. I believe that fair-minded Stratford citizens will admit that a Stratford house, is not urgently required, and lhat the presence of one there would seriously weaken Dawson Falls House: And there will always be a house of some kind at the Falls. Furthermore, Sir, work is waiting to be done in opening up a walk to Lake Dive. Such a walk would be like the track up to the House, save that it would be infinitely more varied, With, no doubt, rustic bridges over the Kaupokonui and other streams, 'the gem-lik G sheet "of water at the end and the return through the tussock land above.

Newspaper reporters do their best, but there is, no doubt, a wealth of information on park matters in the bosoms of the Southern Commi|tee members. I suggest that they take the public into their confidence and 'say ifiainly and without heat why they halve fomented a cleavage of interests. Without having heard them, I am prepared to support the establishment of two 'boards and to opine that "if such were done, the interests of the mountain would not suffer. —I am, etc., "APENINEL" Hawora, February 2.