THE EAST COMMITTEE

Stratford Evening Post, Volume II, Issue 177, 22 February 1933, Page 4

THE EAST COMMITTEE

Stratford Mountain House OPERATIONS FOR THE \ MONTH The East Committee of the Eg r mont National Park Board met last evening, the chairman (Mr. J. C. Robins) presiding over the following attendance: Messrs. C. R. Firinerty, Percy Thomson, W. L. Kennedy, W. L. Willianui, Dr. W. P. P.. Gordon and the secretary (Mr. G. A. Carter).

Caretaker's Report The caretaker (Mr. A. Haldane) reported as follows for the month'of January:— The month has been exceptionally good. There were 186 cars visited : the House, and 713 visitors. A large number of cars camped under the trees and one at the plateau. The top track round the gorge to the north boundary is in very good order, as is the track from Jackson's lookout to the House. Eight goats were shot during the month, and the scrub oil • the track to the Curtis Falls was cut. The water-tables round the House were cleaned. " ;

Revenue for the month of Januaryamounted to £sl 15s, and for the previous month (December) £26. 7a. The chairman pointed out that despite the fact that the charge of Is for each car driver had been conceded for the month under review, the total sum being £3 19s, the actual revenue had increased. Visitors for the two months numbered 1079. Attracted by Resort It was pleasing to note, continued Mr. Robins, that many visitors had been attracted to the House and the resort as a whole by the advertising done by the committee. There were many visitors from outside Taranaki, the large bulk of whom visited the Mountain for the first time this year. Some had made a "flying" visit and were agreeably surprised at the splendid road and excellent camping locality. Visitors had conveyed to the caretaker the assurance that they would return next year for longer visits. In addition to the revenue nf the committee being increased by the larger number of visitors thn town would benefit as campers would purchase their supplies from Stratford stores. . . • >

Work on the Road Reporting on road work, . the rhoivm.qn said thft 12« yirds of meMl had been quarried and the portion of road immediately inside the main gate had been rebuilt and resurfaced. Above the House 55 chains remained to be metalled solidly. Over 500 yards of metal had been quarried for work above the House. Totara-box drains v.-pirr. hems laid nnd«.r the H>«d in various parts to carry away the excessive flow of water. Thus the present action of the water in scouring out ruts in the road would be prevented. Two culverts put in by the Public Works Department some time ago for this purpose had stood up to the rush of water in a splendid manner.

Grant from Art Union In connection with the grant of £ISOO made to the committee re- . ccntly from the proceeds of the "My Lucky Year" Art Union, it was resolved that letters of appreciation be forwarded to Hon. Robert Masters, Mr. W. J. Poison, M.P., and the Hon. Adam Hamilton, Minister of- Internal Affairs, for their assistance in the matter. Future Policy The chairman said that the committee would necessarily have to .consider the question of a future policy. The first charge on the grant would, of course, be the liquidation of the bank overdraft of £SOO. In addition to other liabilities there was the cost of the repairs to ,-tho lorry and the Mountain House, and other sundries. However, • the • committee would have to "let the; world know" about the resort and endeavour continually, to increase the:number of visitors and consequently the revenue. Mountain Day ."!.-* It was resolved that the Stratford Branch of the South Taranaki Automobile Association be asked to assist the committee in conducting Mountain Day this year. The chairman, Mr. Kennedy, and Mr. Finnerty were appointed a committee with the secretary to investigate the various accounts to be met and report at a meeting of the full committee to be held shortly. .