SKI-ING GROUNDS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 471, 4 June 1932, Page 9

SKI-ING GROUNDS.

Annual Inspection by Arthur’s Pass Board. PROTECTION OF GROWTH. The annual meeting and inspection of the Arthur’s Pass National Park Board was held yesterday at Arthur’s Pass. Those present were: Messrs W. Stewart, Commissioner of Crown Lands (chairman), W. K. M’Alpine, Roy Twyneham, F. W. Freeman, D. G. Sullivan, M.P., Mayor of Christchurch, S. C. A. Darby (Conservator of State Forests, Westland), and W. M’Kay, Dr Teichelmann, Professor R. Speight and Mr S. T, Barnett (secretary). The board divided itself into two parties, one going along M’Grath’s Creek track, and the other to inspect Mount Temple basin, to see whether it was suitable for ski-ing and tobogganing. Campers’ Requirements. The chairman’s party, in the course of its inspection, visited the settlement to have complaints placed before members. The sanitary arrangements came under notice, and it was decided to give consideration to these matters at a future meeting. It was also asked that a shed in the railway yard should be fitted out with sleeping accommodation for campers. The matter was held over, after members had inspected the shed. Valuable work has been carried out by the board since its last meeting. Tracks have been completed from the Upper Otira road to Mount Rolleston, from Arthur’s Pass Saddle leading to the Kelly Range on the West Coast side of the main divide. Members were not able to inspect 'these works owing to the short time at their disposal. It is proposed to build a bridge giving access to the Devil’s Punchbowl, and this site was inspected. The bridge is estimated to cost £IOO. Protection of Native Bush.

“ There has been much less destruction of native growth since the board was set up,” said the chairman. “ Evidently the public are appreciating the desirableness of protecting native plants. The trees planted on the area which was burnt out last year are making satisfactory growth.”

Dr M’Kay, chairman of the Grounds Committee, led the other party, which visited the ski-ing grounds at Mount Temple, and the site of the proposed hut 1500 ft above the Pass. Members considered that this would open up excellent ski-ing country. The cost of erecting this hut would be shared jointly by the Christchurch Ski-ing Club and the board. Another site inspected, which it is thought would be valuable for training novices in the art of ski-ing, lay at the top of the Pass. Gorse, scrub and boulders would have to be cleared at a trifling cost to make this an excellent training ground near the Pass. Possible tobogganing sites were also inspected.