EGMONT NATIONAL PARK

Taranaki Daily News, 27 May 1931, Page 10

EGMONT NATIONAL PARK

BOARD ACTIVITIES DURING YEAR

WORK OF SOUTH COMMITTEE.

In his report presented, to the annual meeting of the South Committee of the Egmont National Park Board at Hawera yesterday, the secretary, Mr. L. O. Hooker, sketched the activities of the year. / “The parking area,” he said, “has been considerably enlarged and there is sufficient room to meet all. requirements. The cost was £l7. The few stumps that were left at the bottom of the new area have been cleared away by the men working on the mountain. “Approximately four and a half miles of tracks have been opened at a cost of £54 10s. Three bridges have been erected. and various other small works have been done. It was found that the new summit track recently cut by Mr. Murphy became very muddy as soon as wet weather came, so it was arranged that the men working under the No. 5 scheme should remove the mud from the top and put in a proper water channel at one side with several leads to take the water into the gullies. About a quarter of a mile has been done and it was found that about six inches .under the top soil is a layer of gravel. “The cutting of the new ski track, about one mile up above the hostel at an altitude of approximately 3,800 feet is practically completed. The men will then continue skimming the summit track.

“Through the supervision and interest of tKe members of the Alpine Club, under the direction of Mr. R. Syme, •Syme Hut has been kept in order and many ■ improvements have been effected. It was necessary to have a canvas bag made for each bed so that each lot of bedding could be put in it. The front verandah of the hut has been provided with shutters and the hut has been provided with the necessary first aid and accident equipment. “During the year arrangements have been 1 made with the Post and Telegraph Department to have the phone at Pawson Falls connected up after hours with Eltham, so that we now have practically a continuous service. This is most necessary in case of accidents on the mountain.

“At the December meeting there was a full report of the Stratford conference, held with the object of improving conditions for climbers on the mountain, We have carried out our undertakings, namely, continuous telephone service, adoption of a new stretcher, distribution of ‘Don’ts’, proper first aid equipment at hostel and hut. “To further assist climbers, altitude signs have been erected up the new track from Dawson Falls to the top of Fantham’s Peak. Snow poles with direction arms have been put in across the top of Fantham’s Peak. This work was carried out by the Mount Egmont Alpine Club.” -A complete plan of the tracks on the Dawsons Falls side of the mouritain and details of all insurances, and equipment at Syme Hut and Dawsons Falls were included in the comprehensive survey of activities over the. year, as prepared by Mr.. Hooker.

“AU roads and tracks have been kept in good order and there were no complaints,” reported Mr. J. P. Murphy. "The track to Lake Dive is opened up and no difficulty is experienced for any average party to reach the lake. The hostel and old house are badly in need of repair, especially the chimneys and verandahs. Several lengths of downpiping need renewing. The whole hostel needs painting and the roof over; hauling. I am pleased to say that no accidents have occurred on the southern side of Mount Egmont. this past season. Stretcher, and first aid gear are intact and in good order.” HAWERA LADIES’ GOL£ CLUB. MATOH AGAINST STRATFORD. A team from the Stratford Ladies’ Golf Club will pay a visit to the Hawera club to-morrow, when a four-ball 1 match will be played. The teams have been arranged in the following order, the Stratford players being mentioned first: Mrs. Curtis and Mrs. Williams play Mrs. J. J. Pease and Miss E. Burgess,! Miss Walker and Mrs. Seyb play Mrs. Baigent and: Miss M. Hawken, Mrs. Knewstubb and Mrs. Burmester play Mrs. Whitehead and Miss V. Death, Mrs. Mark and Mrs. Bishop play Mrs. Coley and Mrs. McAnerin, Mrs. Ryan and Mrs. Urwin play Miss R. Pease and Mrs. Rudge, Mrs. Bowler and Miss Malone play Miss M. Strange and Miss B. Ryan. As usually happens in this district, the day set for the home links coronation medal rbund proved most unfavourable to good golf, and although a large number turned out for the match, on the whole the scores were disappointing. The following players returned the best scores: Miss Ruth Pease 100— 19 —81; Mrs. Bright 111:—25—86; Mrs. Thomson 94—7—87; Mrs J. J. Pease 97—9—88.

On account of a strenuous programme arranged for the next two weeks, no competition has been set for Friday, but the remaining games in the second round of the rose bowl should be finalised. The club’s activities will include a visit by a large team to New Plymouth on the King’s Birthday, and an L.G.U. medal round on the following Friday. Reductions of handicap.—Mrs. Muir has earned her first L.G.U. handicap with a card of 110—31, and the following players have succeeded in making substantial reductions: Miss R. Pease, 95—19; Miss A. Wills, 105—26; Miss V. Death, 96 —19; Miss G. Death, 88 — 13; Mrs. McWilliams, 111—32. An important practice of the Hawera Methodist choir will be held to-night on account of the change of date of the Auroa anniversary concert to Friday evening next. HAWERA ENTERTAINMENTS. “PLAY BOY OF PARIS” SHOWING. In ‘’Playboy of Paris,” now showing at the Hawera Opera House, Chevalier has another light-hearted, laugh-provok-ing role, similar to the part he played in “The Big Pond.” As a young millionaire, bound by contract to a waiter’s job by day. finding, in the brilliant Paris cafes, women to love and great inspiration for his joyous singing. Coming to the Grand Theatre, Hawera, to-night, Betty Compson appears in her latest triumph, “Ladies of the Port,” a good-humoured drama of men who follow the sea and women who follow men. The picture will be shown again to-morrow night. A good supporting programme will also be presented at both theatres.