MOUNTAIN ROAD OPENED

Taranaki Daily News, 8 November 1932, Page 11

MOUNTAIN ROAD OPENED

GATEWAY- TO EASTERN EGMONT

HIGHEST ROAD IN THE DOMINION

FINE ENGINEERING ACHIEVEMENT

*J V FTE objective towards which the East Stratford Committee of the ' Egmont National Park Board has been striving for many years—a motor road from Stratford to the eastern plateau—was achieved, yesterday to the full, for the Stratford Mountain Road was officially opened by the Hon. R. Masters, Minister of Education ‘industries and Commerce. Reaching to the highest point of any’road in New Zealand, the road represents an outstanding achievement in engineering, for which credit is due to the Public Works Department, and in perseverance on’ the part of the committee which in the face of numerous difficulties, chiefly financial, has succeeded in taking the road to a natural terminus nearly half way up fee slopes of Mt. Egmont. Forty cars, each carrying a full complement, joined the procession to the plateau.

CEREMONY WELL ATTENDED

particular part of the Egmont National Park I extend a most cordial welcome. “The formation of this road is to my committee and residents of the districts whom we represent a very gratifying result, and ,we hope that after seeing the ever-changing scenery as you travelled over the road and the wonderful panoramic view of the greater part of fertile Taranaki from the plateau, and after realising that in less than half an hour you can be motored from the town down below to an altitude of 4000 feet above sea level, where, you breathed that pure mountain air for about 15 minutes, you agree with us that a popular health and tourist resort has been opened to those fond of hiking and mountaineering and to the motoring public., of New Zealand.

rures DRIVE TO THE PLATEAU.

OPENING BY HON. R. MASTERS.

A start was made for Mt. Egmont soon after the trains, returned ftom the opening v of the Stratford-Main r ? n ', railway. A line of cars was parked Xg Broadway, and those who desired to undertake the trip were ushered into the care, those that y« re to carry the official party, which included the Bt. Hon. G. W. Forbes and the Kt. Hon. J. G. Coates, being in the lead. The cars, escorted by a guard of honour of 20 members, of the Stratford Motor Sports Club on motor-cycles, proceeded along Pembroke Road over the fine bitumen surface to the Pembroke factory, and on over a good metalled surface to the entrance gates to the park. There the''gates, with stone pillar's and overhead arch which frame the peak of Mt. Egmont, formed an impressionable scene. All the material for the gates was donated, and a plate bears the inscription, “Stratford EnA three-mile drive over a smooth metal road that winds through the towering bush brought the party to the Stratford Mountain House. Thence the cars drove on to the plateau road and, climbing steadily, they wound upwards, tall buelh giving way to shrubs and later to ®crub as the road finally emerged on to the plateau. . ... The panoramic view from this point equate if it does not excel any in New Zealand. On a clear day the whole of Taranaki is unfolded aS a great map, uhile it is possible, under favourable conditions, to see as far afield as the snow-capped Kaikoura mountains in the South Island. The peak wae obscured by mist at times yesterday, but the view downwards was interrupted only by occasional banks of cloud around the coasts. When the present East Committee was formed the road to the house was little more than a, mud track, passable for cars only in the summer and not then after a heavy fall of rain. The committee made arrangements for finance, in which it was assisted to a great extent by several private citizens, and began to improve the road. The Stratford County and Borough Councils were interested in tihe project and the annual grants they made were very acceptable to the committee. Gradually the road was improved, apd then a Government grant enabled the Public Works Department to take charge. Under its direction the road was re-formed, re-graded and metalled till it constituted a highway up which the modern car could climb, easily in top gear. "With the completion of- the road the number of visitors to the Stratford side increased rapidly and the revenue from tolls began to place the committee in a better position financially. Work on the upper road was then commenced by unemployed under the Public Works Department. Last summer it was open to Jackson’s Look-out, and when the announcement of the opening of the railway was made the idea of opening the road to the plateau at the same time was conceived. The borough council made extra relief workera available to the committee and the road was constructed on to the plateau in" time for the ceremony. - The work earned the unstinted praise of every member of the official party, and its value not only as a local resort but also as a national tourist attraction was freely, commented upon. The organisation of the cars was eapably conducted l?y the secretary of the committee, Mr. G. A. Carter, the service officer of the S.T.A.A., Mr. J. MdKde, and the officer of the T.A.A., Mr. Gredig.

ASSISTANCE TO RAILWAY.

“My committee is confident that the completion of this road will be of assistance in making the Stratford to Main Trunk railway which you have officially opened to-day a payable concern. Our alpine scenery in New Zealand is second to none, and the completion of this and other scenic roads to give access thereto must be a factor in attracting visitors to our shores to increase the revenue of our railways and of our country generally. “We think that the Stratford Plateau Road reaches one of the highest altitudes, if not the highest, to which a motor-car can be driven in New Zealand. Its completion forges another link in the chain of tourist roads which must act as a.feeder to the railways. I congratulate Mr. Keller, Public Works Department engineer, and his staff on the manner in which they carried out the engineering work. “The Stratford Mountain Club has already assisted to make the Stratford Plateau a popular resort for ski-ing and other winter sports, and the completion of the road will enable many to patronise these higher altitudes in summer when the grounds will be much used for,, parking ears and for motorcar and motor-cycle hill-climbing competitions. “We are extremely glad to welcome among the guests some of the old pioneers of this road. They include Messrs. Burrell Bros., who cleared the early bridle tracks to the plateau, Mr. Tom Kirkwood, secretary of the first Stratford Mountain Club, and Mr. Campbell Jackson, who with his brother, Mr. E. Jackson, cut the tracks to the look-out called Jackson’s Look-out, and to which Burrell’s track has now been formed, and last but by no means least, Messrs. A. W. Burrell and G. D. Hunter, who first surveyed and found a route proving that motor-cars could be driven to the plateau by an easy grade.” Mr. T. C. List, chairman of the Egmont National Park Board, associated himself with the hearty welcome extended to the distinguished visitors, and congratulated- the East Committee on the success it had achieved in the face of considerable financial difficulties. Even those who had the opportunity of seeing the work as it was that day could not realise the tremendous difficulties entailed in carrying the road to the plateau. Only a few years ago the road was a mud track, but the committee embarked on an ambitious programme of improvements and extension to the lower road. Not content with that, the committee strove till it had built the road on to one of the finest ski-ing grounds in New Zealand. “Mt. Egmont has a wonderful fascination for those who live under its shadow; it grows on one,” said Mr. List. ENTHUSIASM OF COMMITTEE. The work could not have been achieved without the enthusiasm and energy of the men on the committee, he continued. In five years Mr. Robins had not missed a working day on the mountain. Members of the Park Board had. been criticised at times, but they were very appreciative of what had been done and most warmly congratulated the East Committee on the results attained.

WELCOME TO THE PARTY

SPEECHES AT THE. HOUSE

The park, Mr. List continued, was a national one, and one felt grateful to those who in the first place laid aside 76,000 acres of reserve as-a heritage for the people of Taranaki. It was the duty of the board and of the committees’to open the attractions of the reserve, with its wonderful native bush. Perhaps to-day the public did not realise the value of what they possessed, but realisation would come in the future.

ME. MASTERS CUTS RIBBON.

The party was welcomed at the house by the chairman of the East Committee, Mr. J. C. Robins, who has been so energetic in- striving for the improvement of East Egmont. “A little less than a year ago we were honoured with a visit from the Governor-General and Lady Bledisloe, who motored in the first car to reach the parking ground and hostel site situated’ five miles from the entrance to this reserve,” said Mr. Robins. “Although we then hoped that the road wou]d be formed 'to the Stratford Plateau this summer my committee little dreamed that the first car to reach the highest point thereon would convey the Prime Minister and Mrs. Forbes, and that they would be accompanied by all these Ministers and members and bv the large number of representatives of local bodies, Government departments, chambers of commerce, business'and other organisations with their wives and lady friends, to whom as chairman of the committee responsible for the control and development of this

Mr. List referred to the destruction of florae by goats and to the campaign to eliminate them. A total of 5550 goats had been killed already, and it was estimated that another 10,000 goats were on the ranges. Thanks were due to the Government in that respect, especially to the Prime Minister and Mr. Masters, for making available a fund that was considered vital to the preservation of the bush. The Prime Minister said that in New Zealand there was some of the finest scenery in the world, and it was not fully appreciated by New Zealanders. Ry virtue of the work of the Park Board and East Committee the scenic wonders of Mt. Egmont were made available to all. “Seeing that we have climbed to 4000 feet I think we should all be awarded alpine certificates,” he said. <a

*Mr. List has mentioned the number of goats on the ranges; I did not know there were so many goats in New Zealand,” said Mr. Forbes. Mr. H. E. Holland, Leader of the Labour party, also thanked the committee for its invitation. He agreed that in the mountain the people of Taranaki had a fine heritage, rich in the lore of the Maoris and an asset to the Dominion, According to Maori mythology Taranaki would not have had Egmont had it not quarrelled. with the peaks in the centre of the island. “There is certainly a wonderful view from the plateau; we could see all the farms but not the mortgages, Mr. Holland remarked. “I think the time will come when you will not need flroad up here; you will fly up. But it is deplorable that though we have a rich country surrounding Mt. Egmont producing more every year we get poorer every year.” The Hon. Adam Hamilton said he appreciated the’ invitation. He • had been to Dawson Falls several times but never had he had such a clear view as had been vouchsafed that day. He was interested to hear that the goats were becoming . menace. “The deer, are becoming a menace in my 'district, ne Tourists from abroad regarded New Zealand, and rightly too, as the scAnic wonder of the world. He was pleased to know that members of the. Stratford 1 Mountain Club had won distinction at the Ruapehu ski eports. /

WORK APPRECIATED.

“I do not know if there. is a debt attached to the road, but if there is we would be pleased to help you as we appreciate the work done by local committees,” said the Minister. “We in Wellington know there is a Taranaki as the result of the work done by your public men,” he added. They would take away a very pleasant picture and memory of the road, Mr. Hamilton concluded. _ “Before calling on Mr. Masters officially to open the road I desire to appeal to all lovers of native birds .to assist us to plant native food-bearing trees in vacant spaces and to help us to destroy those imported pests, such as stoats and weasels and German owls, which are killing native birds, and particularly the ground birds such as wekas and kiwis, of which I am pleased to' say there are still many here, Mr. Robins said. „i “We would also like to see horticultural societies and others assist by planting and cultivating native alpine flowers and shrubs, as well as native trees, thus helping to further beautify our resort, and most important of all, help to conserve th*e forest, which is so important factor in providing Taranaki with that rainfall which is so important to a dairying district. ■ “My committee desires me to thank all' those, and there are large numbers, who have assisted in enabling the various works here to be carried out; We thank the Stratford borough and county councils for their annual grants and for the use of men and material. We particularly thank Mr. C. J. Burrell, who lent £550 to us when we needed it a few years ago and has made provision for that amount to become a vift at the end of 10 years, also all the pioneers of early 'ays. Our . thanks are also due to the first Mountain Club members under Mr. J. _ B ' S ’ * former representative of Stratford on the Park Board, for the great amount of work they accomplished, particularly 1 in connection with the formation of the road from the Barclay Road to the entrance, to Messrs. Kleeman' and Bishop for much help in transport and finance, and to Messrs. Masters Ltd., hazacketr ly Bros, and E. D. Evans for gifts and financial help. The gateway was erected without cost to 'the committea through the generosity of MS’. B. J. Kerswill, New Plymouth (plastering work and cement), Union Foundries (steel work) and A. Borland (who provided the marble tablets and the letterinn- thereon). Thanks are also due to the caretakers, Mr. and Mrs. A. Haldane, and the secretary, ,Mr._ A. G. Carter. 1 ? •

“WORK OF UNEMPLOYED.*’

“I cannot let the occasion pass without expressing thanks to the unemployed men who worked on many works here under scheme No. 5. If the men on relief works throughout New Zealand took as great, an interest in the work allotted to them as these men have done there would be no cause for complaint. I hope that they will soon obtain permanent work; they deserve it.” Mr. Masters thanked the members of the committee for the honour they had conferred on him in asking him to open' the road. He deeply appreciated Mr. Robins? remarks. As a visitor that day he had nothing but praise for the organisation of the trip. “This is Taranaki’s mountain, and I want to-day to express appreciation of the work done by the southern 'and northern committees,” the Minister said. “This is a time when we should express appreciation to the pioneers who made <tliis road possible. Mr. Charles Curtis blazed the first track from Pembroke Road to a point higher than the road. Mr. T. H. Penn is another who played a prominent part in the early days. Mr. Burrell, too, apart from financial help, has’'done much for this side of the mountain and deserves our deepest gratitude.” Mr. Masters said that while what was done could not have been don® without Government assistance, there was no doubt that had it not been for the energy and initiative of the local committees ’not nearly as'much would) have been accomplished. He suggested that the Minister of the Tourist Department should include Mt. Egmont in the list of tours and thus bring the 10,000 overseas tourists a year to Taranaki. With the line from Auckland and the mountain'at this end he wae sure many Aucklanders would visit Mt. Egmont. Mr. Masters then cut a ribbon 1 stretched across the road in front of the house. Gold scissors were presented by Miss Patricia Robins, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robins, to the Minister, and the ribbon was held by Messrs. List and Robins. A ribbon was stretched across the end of the road at the plateau and was broken by the Prime (Ministers car. The tablet at the gate was unveiled as the cars returned to Stratford.