“CHATEAU TONGARIRO”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 591, 18 February 1929, Page 12

“CHATEAU TONGARIRO”

£BO,OOO HOSTEL FOR NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION STONE LAID The new hostel at Tongariro National Park was officially begun yesterday, when the foundationstone was laid by the Minister of Health, the Hon. A. J. Stallworthy. The structure, which is beingerected by private enterprise, is expected materially to enhance the popularity of the resort, and will cost £ 80.000. “Chateau Tongariro,” the new hostel, is called. It is to be ten miles from the railway station, 3,710 ft above the sea and served by a good road. The framework of the first storey is already built, and 80 men Eire employed on the job under the contractors, the Fletcher Construction Company. Ltd. A feature of the building will be a spacious lounge of 5,000 square feet of parquet floor. Off this will be the writing alcove, stairs and elevator. The dining-room, to accommodate 300, will be entered from the lounge. Its wide windows look out across the upland plains and receive the sun all day. The first and second floors will contain 92 bedrooms each with hot and cold water available. In all 43 bathrooms will be provided. The company is installing its own hydro-electric plant, and the whole of the premises and grounds will be lit by electricity, while the vestibule, lounge, diningroom, cinema hall, and all the bedrooms will be electrically heated. The special lodge accommodation already built comprises dining hall and cubicles for 146 persons. THE STATE’S PART At tlte opening ceremony there was a large crowd of visitors from all parts of the Island. On the platform were Mr. J. B. Thompson, chairman of the National Park Board: Mr. R. L. Wigley, managing director of the Tongariro Park Tourist Company, Limited, and members of the board and the Tongariro Park Tourist Company. Mr. Thompson explained that the Government had put £40,000 at the disposal of the board for 361 years,

and the board decided to pool its resources with Mr. Wigley’s company. It added £3,750 from its own funds to the £40,000 lent by the Government, and these sums were advanced to Mr. Wigley’s company, which then undertook the construction of the chateau. The board had leased only G 3 acres of the park land to the company, so that it had not in any sense sold its birthright. Mr. Stall worthy said it was high time that the potentialities of the tourist traffic came into the practical politics of the country. New Zealand’s tourist business had shown a debitbalance in the past. While £1,000,000 had been spent by tourists in New Zealand, New Zealanders had spent £4,000.000 when touring abroad. The enterprise that had been shown in connection with the erection of the hostel was a great step forward. On behalf of the Government Mr. Stallworthy wished the undertaking complete success. GOLD KIWI FOR MINISTER A golden kiwi on a block of gold with a base of greenstone was presented to the Hon. A. J. Stall worthy. Minister of Health, by the directors of the Fletcher Construction Company, Ltd. In addition to the kiwi there is a miniature trowel and gavel on the base, while on the side of the block Mount Ruapehu is depicted. The New Zealand coat of arms is also included in the design.