MOUNT HOLDSWORTH TRACK.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8318, 22 December 1906, Page 5

MOUNT HOLDSWORTH TRACK.

RECENT IMPROVEMENTS. '

A party of men under Mr C. Bannister have been engaged during the week in clearing the track up Mt. Hoidswortb. Two tents, eaoh 10 feet by 12 feet, have been erected at the upper camp, which is about two hoars journey from the Maungateiere River. The track is now aJI practically cleared and well-defined to the summit of- the mountain, and it is now a matter of comparative ease for the average climber t.o And his way to the top. Finger posts will ahoitly be erected at various points on the traok. Mr Sutherland, Crown Lands Ranger, warns people from lighting fires carelessly on th° mountain, and leaving them to bum out. If that practice is indulged in, it is likely that the Commissioner of Crown Laud* will prevent the publio from ascending tbe mountain. There is no objeotion to fires being lit for cooking purposes provided they are not allowed to catch the bush.

MEETING OP GUMMITTEE. A meeting of the Mt. Holdsworth Track Committee was belli last evening. There were present:—Messrs J. G. Ewmgton (Obairman), D. MoGreg or, jnr., J. Elliott, G. H. Perry, W. D. Ayson, H. Evans,. D. Dobbod, 0. Bannister, H. Rassell, A. Pickering, A. E. Wluzenberg, and W. H. Beetham. Mr 0 Bannister reported that: it was possible to take a horse half way up, the track. Mr McGregor stated thai; he had found an exoellent site for a bridge over the Maungaterere Stream. There were birch trees growing on each side of a gorge about 70 feet wide, and a footbridge oould easily be made at chat spot. Regarding accommodation for borsea, be stated that Mr Thompson was quite willing to receive burses for parties ascending the mountain a 6 a charge of Is per day or part of a day. It was decided to write to the Mayor, of Carterton again asking for his support in the matter by having the traob further improved.

On the motion of Mr Pickering, seconded by Mi Bannister, it was decided "'that this Committee having spent a considerable amount in improving the track to Mfc. Holdaworth for the benefit of residents and tourists, they ask that the Tourist; Department subsidise the amount for the purpose of building a suspension bridge, and shelter sheds." The secretary was in'siirtioted to forward a oopy of the resolution to the Governmert, and Messrs Ewington Perry, Elliott, Dobson, Beetham and McGregor, were appointed a committee to try and ob tain a grant of £SO from the Government.

Tho matter of erecting a foot* bridge and shelter sheds was left to the Chairman and Messrs McGregor and Dofcson with power to aoK

It was decided to notify the' Tourist Department that the track was now opened, and an experienced guide was available for the benefit of tourists.

Mr McGregor was appointed treasurer to tbe committee.

It was suggested that the committee should form itself into an Alpine' Giab or a Domain Beard, but the matter was finally held over tioi.il next meeting.