MOUNT EGMONT

Stratford Evening Post, Volume I, Issue 497, 20 July 1932, Page 4

MOUNT EGMONT

THE STRATFORD HOUSE MONTHLY REPORTS The reports presented to the monthly meeting of the East (Stratford) Committee of the Mount Egmont National Park Board last night showed the steady progress being made in the patronage accorded th® Stratford House and its environs generally, and the growing interest In the mountain being evinced by local climbers and visitors from other parts of the Dominion and overseas.

The members of the committee present were:—Messrs J. C. Robins (chairman), W. L. Kennedy p. Thomson. W. E. Williams. C. R. Finnerty, T. R. Anderson and Dr. W. P. Gordon. An apology for the absence of Mr. G. A. Carter (secretary), who was in Wellington on business, was tendered.

The caretaker CMr. Haldane), in reporting to the chairman, stated that he had five gents cornered near Curtis Hut and would destroy them on the first opportunity. He said he' had been engaged during the month in a lookout for goats, and as the result had. secured five. No catMe had been found, and the fences did not. show any signs of rattle having been trespassing. Two head (heifer and steer), which had been in the locality last year, were still near Jackson’s Lookout.

Snow and Ski-ing The chairman stated that the road down to tho House was now closed to traffic. The snow' had been down to the House for nearly a fortnight. In view of the conditions, it w f as not considered advisable to run the risk of cars striking trouble, so the road was closed. Unemployed men had worked on the watertahles and shifted a, large number of stones from cuttings.

Skis had been used last month, and were in great demand. Planting of trees had been done in a few places, and as the result great improvement was noticeable. Very few of the 150 pungas had died, and they promised to look quite nice next summer.

Revenue Items Regarding the grants from Iq’cal bodies, the chairman said it was pleasing to note that the Borough Council had given the full amount, hut the County Council had cut down their grant by £lO. There had been a steady rise each month in the revenue, said Mr. Robins. Last month had been very wet. The bugbear was. wet Sundays, and it was wonderful what a difference they made. Last Sunday was wonderfully good, visitors being present from New Plymouth, Opunake, Hawera, Stratford and other parts. In June 1929, the revenue was £8 11s Gd; 1930, £l3 11s; 1931, £l3 19s Gd; and 1932, £l4 198, the figures showing a steady increase that was gratifying to the committee. The revenue for July was already ahead of the full month last year. Advertise! Advertise! Mr. Thomson: It shows that thoße who have visited the Plateau are advertising the beauties of the mountain.

The Chairman; One visitor recently was greatly pleased with his experience, and considered it was a great pity the people of the Dominion did not know it much better. He had offered to distribute pamphlets free for the committee if they were sent to him. Mr. Robins stated that the matter of issuing a pamphlet on the mountain was being discussed with the Stratford Evening Post, but nothing definite had been arrived at in the -meantime.

Overseas Visitor Delighted Dr. Gordon stated that he had taken Sir Frederick Menzies, Medical Officer to the London County Council, to the Stratford House recently. It was a perfect morning; in fact, the conditions had never been so good in Dr. Gordon’s experience. Sir Frederick had been delighted and tremendously impressed with his trip and the beauty of the scenes at the House. He contemplated visiting New Zealand In the future, and the committee could be sure that Mount Egmont would be included in his itinerary. Ski-ing Dr. Gordon also reported that skiing was growing in popularity, and competitions were in progress. Many local visitors were very keen on the sport. Manganui Hut Dr. Gordon said Mr. Haldane was somewhat concerned about the Manganui Hut, as it was said that the foundations appeared to be lifting in the fierce winter gales. Dr. Gordon said the committee should remedy the defect at once or serious results might fellow. It would be necessary to anchor the building more securely, and Mr. Haldane considered he could do so effectively by means of wire. Mr. Thomson immediately offered to supply the wire necessary for the job, and the committee accepted the offer with thanks. The work will be proceeded with as soon as possible. ..