EAST SIDE OF EGMONT

Taranaki Daily News, 18 April 1934, Page 8

EAST SIDE OF EGMONT

ACHIEVEMENT OF PAST YEAR. COMMITTEE’S ANNUAL MEETING. A notable advance in the way of reading and improving the accommodation houses, together with a record total in toll fees, were the chief items reviewed by the chairman (Mr. J. C. Robins) at the annual meeting last night of the East Committee of the Egmont National Park Board, which controls the Stratford or eastern side of Mount Egmont. “It is very pleasing to note that the fees amounted to £331 Is 6d, which is the largest total on record in the nine years’ history of the committee," the chairman reported. “That the Stratford side is becoming more popular is evidenced by the large increase in fees and in the good reports we have had of the resort from all over and even outside New Zealand." The resort was one of the few public recreation grounds which could report an increase in patronage during the slump years. The lower road was in good order and so much metal had been spread on the upper section to the plateau that it should not be necessary to close the road from now on. It would be necessary to spread maintenance metal on the lower road but both roads, on the whole, were in fine condition. Additions had been made to the houses, but there was room for improvement and that matter should be kept in mind as more accommodation would be readily used. More water tanks were wanted to meet the increased demand, which greater than the one tank could cope with. It was desirable that water should be supplied to the plateau for the use of picnickers and for cars. Goats had not given much trouble but 29 were shot in the eastern area during the year. While the Hon. E. A. Ransom was at Stratford an appeal to him was made for funds to complete the road. A sum of £5OO a year was mentioned, £lOO to go to each of the committees and to the Park Board. The resort was of value to the town and district, for apart from the tolls paid, visitors must spend money in the town. Every effort should be made to attract people to the resort, and the committee owed thanks to tne Stratford Mountain Club for having through its members placed guides at the disposal of parties or visitors who wished to go to the summit. The club had also doubled the accommodation at Manganui hut and at no cost to the committee owing to the efforts of the club and its members. An effort was being made to have the ski championships held on the Stratford side this year, and there was no doubt that other sports would be held on the east side during the winter. The Automobile Association had been very helpful in signposting the road in miles and heights and had encouraged tourists to visit Egmont. The local bodies had continued to support the committee with grants, without which the committee would be unable to carry on. The balance sheet showed an excess of income over expenditure of £2O 7s. The chief items of expenditure, apart from the caretaker’s salary, were interest £37, insurance £l7 8s 4d, truck licenses and expenses £lB Ils 10d, transport (lorry) expenses £lO9 6s 3d. Income included toll fees £331 Is 6d, grants £4O, cartage £l9 18s and firewood £73 10s 6d. Mr. W. L. Kennedy complimented the

chairman and the secretary (Mr. G. A. Carter) on the results they had achieved for much of the committee’s success was due to their work. In acknowledging Mr. Robins remarks regarding the mountain club, Dr. W. P. P. Gordon stated that the club willingly co-operated with the committee. “I canot understand the cheese-paring attitude of the Government in respect of grants to what is a national asset,” said Mr. J. C. Allen. “There is no doubt that Taranaki offers little to the overseas tourist besides Mount Egmont, and the most should be made of it by the Government,” he said. The chairman was re-elected and Messrs. P. Thomson and T. R. Anderson were re-appointed representatives of the committee on the Park Board. Messrs. C. R. Finnerty and Kennedy paid tributes to the work of the chairman. Application will be made Park Board for permission to charge 6d for the use of Manganui Hut during the day and 2s for the night, the money to be used to meet the expenses of equipping and maintaining the services of the hut