RUAPEHU’S ATTRACTIONS.

Wairarapa Age, 28 August 1933, Page 5

RUAPEHU’S ATTRACTIONS.

DEPUTATION ON MOUNTAINSIDE IMPROVEMENTS URGED. THE CHATEAU, August 26. An unusual experience befel the Minister in charge of Tourist and Health Resorts, the Hon. A. Hamilton, during a visit of inspection to the National Park to-day, when he was approached by a deputation from the Ruapehu Ski Club at Salt Hut, situated at a height of 5500 feet on Mount Ruapehu, the highest altitude at which a Minister of the Crown has ever received.a deputation in New Zealand. Mr. Hamilton, together with Mrs Hamilton, climbed 3} miles from the Chateau on foot and spent an interesting day in the snow, watching the skiing contests on Scoria Flat. They returned at nightfall, after a strenuous outing, greatly impressed with the growing popularity of winter sports, in which over 300 people of both sexes are participating at the Chateau this week. Standing in the snow with the afternoon sun tinting the adjacent peaks, the Minister listened to the representations of the Ski Club for the speeding up of the present measures for improving access to the skiing ground and the erection of additional accomodation at Salt Hut.

Mr. Hamilton said not long ago the rocky steeps around National Park were looked upon as waste and it was how realised they possessed an immense value from sporting and health points of view. 11 1 believe any money spent in this park will help to save ■doctors’ bills,” he said. “At the same time, expenditure of this kind is a direct charge on taxpayers. Whatever we do, the first consideration is to ■make the Chateau pay and if by spending money on improvements here wo can encourage more people to come, that course will meet with my approval.”

Mr. B. L. Dallard, Under-Secretary of Justice and Controller-General of Prisons, said it was hoped to add further attractions to the park by constructing new tracks and paths to some of the beauty places.

The Minister left on his return to Wellington to-night.—(P.A.)