NORTH EGMONT HOSTEL

Taranaki Daily News, 19 September 1924, Page 7

NORTH EGMONT HOSTEL

PAST SEASON’S RESULTS. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE. The report of the committee of the North Egmont Hostelry for the year 1923-24 states:— ‘‘The committee report that the business for the past season was approximately the same as the previous year, and did not show expansion sufficient to pay the interest on bank overdraft in addition to the expense of running and upkeep. The accounts for the year show a loss of £174 6s 9d. including bank interest, and this is largely accounted for by the necessity of replacing and renewing the stock of linen, china, and utensils, which had to be brought up to the requirements of the establishment. The change of management has proved quite satisfactory, and the committee desire to place on record their thanks tie Mr. and Mirs. Briance for the manner in which the hostel has been conducted. Patrons have .been well pleased and have in many instances expressed their appreciation of the comfort experienced during their stay in the hostel. The proposed Egmont National Park Board Act has not yet been presented to Parliament, and whilst it is hoped that it will provide means for finance for the board, your committee desire to impress i upon guarantors that independent action with regard to placing the hostel on a financial basis is immediately necessary. “Whilst the hostelry account about pays its running expenses, the income will not permit payment of interest, and there are no funds to meet* the liabilities outstanding. The experience of the committee is that the revenue for the past three years (£l5O0 —£1600) cannot be materially increased, and that the running expenses cannot be effectively reduced without prejudicially affecting the service given to patrons, and consequently outside assistance must be given if the hostel is to be kept open, and some means found to avoid calling on the guarantors to pay up their guarantees and to clear the outstanding liabilities. A new range is required immediately and new floor coverings are desirable, whilst there is also no doubt that considerable repairs and replacements, which cannot be paid for out of revenue, will have to be met and minor improvements effected this year. The fact that a new hostel on the Stratford side is in contemplation emphasises the necessity for maintaining the standard of accommodation which has been the aim of your committee since the house was built. “Your committee regret that they cannot make any suggestion to meet the position, and, as they consider that the maintenance of the hostel on a popular basis is a matter for New Plymouth, they trust all guarantors will attend the meeting called to discuss this report, and that some decided effort will -be made to place affairs in such a position that the committee can carry on without the burden of debt which hampers it every year. The committee retire at the meeting of guarantors, nnd it will bo requisite to elect a new eomrnitJ"'? for the ensuing year."