DAWSON FALLS WORK

Taranaki Daily News, 27 February 1935, Page 2

DAWSON FALLS WORK

IMPROVED CONDITIONS SOUTH COMMITTEE PROPOSALS. FIRE-FIGHTING EQUIPMENT. Important resolutions affecting the accommodation at the Dawson Falls mountain house were passed yesterday by the South Committee of the Egmont National Park Board. Members present considered that at the present time, when competition was particularly keen, every endeavour should be made to progress towards better conditions.

The proposed improvements will be contingent on the securing of a £2OO overdraft, which was left to the chairman and secretary, .Messrs, W. G. Walkley and L. O. Hooker, to arrange. Provided the money is secured, the work will be put in hand almost immediately. Most important among the proposed alterations and improvements are the laying-in of a complete fire-fighting

equipment and the erection of a concrete retaining wall above the power house to prevent the recurrence of damage such as occurred last Friday. Then, swept by the terrific torrent, huge boulders crashed on to the back wall of the house, seriously damaging it, and silt was spread over the floor to a depth of several inches. In co-operation with Mr. T. R. Overton, engineer to the South Taranaki Electric Power Board, the committee intends to make a thorough survey of the position and to erect some suitable means of defence against any further floods.

The absence of fire-fighting equipment at the hostel has been a source of concern for some and the installation of three leads with 801 b of pressure will relieve the committee of the trouble. The front and' rear of' the hostel and the old camp house will be protected. ' Criticism levelled at the present garages at the hostel will in future have no foundation. Yesterday it was decided to draw up plans for five lock-up garages.

In the past some criticism has 1 been made of the telephone service and the frequency with which it goes out of order.. In future, there should be little foundation in those criticisms, for repair work has been instituted to give better service.

Some concern was expressed at yesterday’s meeting at the frequency with which climbers left Syme Hut in dirty conditions. The committee considers that the position needs clarification and a sub-committee consisting of Messrs.' Walkley, Hooker and R. Syme was set up on receipt of a report from Mr. Syme. It" will investigate the position. To aid climbers, and particularly search parties, it is possible a signal lamp will be erected in the yard at the hostel. In ordinary times, the lamp, which would be erected on a pole, would serve as a light for the yard, but in emergency cases it could do duty to signal climbers on the slopes. The cost is being inquired into.

Another work of importance is the flood-lighting of the falls. As a prelude to an underwater lighting scheme of varied colours, the committee decided to go on at present with the white floodlighting.

Tribute was paid by members to the splendid work done by Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Murphy in the refurnishing of the hostel, making it a most comfortable place. Mr. Walkley, who expressed appreciation of the renovation work, mentioned that he knew of two Americans on a four months' tour of New Zealand who had intended staying one night at Dawsons and who were so charmed with it that they stayed eight, even then being reluctant to leave.