SUBSTANTIAL RECOVERY

Taranaki Daily News, 2 May 1935, Page 7

SUBSTANTIAL RECOVERY

north egmont finance REVIEW OF SUCCESSFUL SEASON. ANNUAL MEETING OF COMMITTEE. INCREASES IN TOURIST TRAFFIC. * / Owing to a pronounced increase in the popularity of North Egmont as a tourist resort a substantial profit on this year’s working is shown in the annual balancesheet of the controlling committee. The excess of income over expenditure this year is £179 8s sd, compared with a loss of £2Bl 10s lid last year. Park, house and toll fees amounted to £606 9s this year against £582 17s 9d last year. The financial position is by no means satisfactory, but the substantial recovery in the period reviewed is considered as a very hopeful sign. At the annual meeting of the North Committee of the Egmont National Park Board on Tuesday night the present position of the committee was comprehensively covered in a report submitted by Mr. F. Amoore, the chairman. “The year under review,” stated the report, “has been somewhat uneventful, and until November we were only just managing to scrape along. However, towards the end of 1934 the tide turned and from then on we have had a constant stream of visitors. During the Easter period every available portion of the hostel, cubicles, cottage and old house was occupied. “The store account shows a net profit of £59 14s 3d, compared with a net profit of £2l last year and the hostel working account shows a net profit of £122 13s 9d, compared with a net profit of £3l 6s 3d last year—although last year included two Easters. The increase in receipts is most gratifying in view of the fact that during the current year no Easter takings were included. The outstanding feature of the year had been the erection of the hut at Humphries Castle by the members of the Alpine Club, continued the report. They were to be congratulated on a very fine piece of work.

“The need for more conveniences had been emphasised more than ever since the influx of visitors and the work should be taken in hand as soon as the necessary funds “were available. The question of fuel was still satisfactory. The benefit of the dry wood was making itself manifest in the reduction of the quantity of wood used and easier working. LAYING OF TENNIS COURT. “The ground for the tennis court had been built up and was consolidating, preparatory to the laying of the court in the summer. In this connection the committee was indebted to Mr. W. H. Moyes, Mr. F. H. Waters, Mr. W. Groombridge and others who formed working bees.

“The hostel, cottage, cubicles and old house were in good order, but the necessity of procuring more equipment inside, in the way of bed linen, mattresses and lounge furniture, was to be emphasised. “I have to thank Mr, and Mrs. Wood and -the whole of their staff for their unfailing kindness and courtesy during a very trying time,” stated Mr. Amoore. “Everyone has been working at a high pressure with inadequate equipment, but the work of the staff has been done cheerfully and well. The thanks of the committee are also due to Mr. W. C. Weston, and we congratulate him on his appointment as chairman of the Egmont National Park Board.”

The tracks in and around the hostel were all in fair order. Messrs. Sole and Arthur were responsible for this part of the work. The old house and cottage, also due to their attention, were in splendid condition. In conclusion Mr. Amoore thanked the secretary, Mr. L. W. Lovell, and all the members of the committee for support.

The manager’s report for the month showed that both Easter and Anzac Day holidays were exceptionally busy this year and that accommodation was taxed to the utmost. The recent flood damaged the water supply intake considerably, but repairs were effected. Members of the committee, speaking to the official report,. were appreciative of the work done by the Taranaki Alpine Club in connection with the erection of the Humphries Castle hut. Those present were Messrs. F. Amoore, E. W. M. Lyson, J. Hine, J. Whitehead, F. H. Waters, W. H. Moyes, W- M. Groombridge and G. W. Gibson. Mr. Amoore was reappointed chairman for a further term.