PROPOSED WESTERN MT. RUAPEHU ROAD LOCATIONS INSPECTED

Wanganui Chronicle, 2 April 1949, Page 6

PROPOSED WESTERN MT. RUAPEHU ROAD LOCATIONS INSPECTED

RAETIHI, Last Night (OC).—A preliminary survey in connection with the proposed road to open up the western side of Ruapehu was carried out by Messrs. O. D. Bell and R. J. Cowie, of the Ministry of Works during Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of the present week. The Works Officers were accompanied by Messrs. W. P. Mead, of Wanganui, C. Herkt of Ohakune and T. Snout, National Park warden. The party made its headquarters at the Tongariro Tramping Club's hut some seven miles from Ohakune, at an altitude of 3800 feet and close to the northern side of the Mangawhero River. During the course of the three days many tnousands of acres between the Mangaturuturu and Waitonga Streams were traversed .approach to the area being made through Holt’s property at Horopito and the return to Ohakune by the route of the Ohakune mountain track. Suitable routes for the construction of a road, sources of metal supply, hostel site, and stream flows to supply water for both domestic use ana power purposes, came within the scope of the investigation, and trig points had also to be located in order to obtain bearings. Two important factors in

searching for a hostel site were that the locality should be within easy reach of the snowfields and at the same time command an unobstructed view of the lower country. Notwithstanding that the weather conditions of the previous week-end had been particularly severe and heavy snow had 1 alien on Ruapehu, the party was favoured with bright sunshine over the major portion ot the time and the mountain tops and country below were always plainly visible. The snow was' rapidly thawing and no difficulty was experienced in making 6200 feet between Paretetaitonga and Tahurangi peaks. Most of the required data was obtained by the department’s officers but it is expected that a further inspection of one or two points will be necessary before a report can be furnished. Great public interest has been aroused in this question of access to the western slopes of Ruapehu and the outcome of the report will be eagerly awaited. Keen Oarsmen. To attend early morning training for the past few weeks most members o! the West. End rowing eight, which won national honours in defeating Aramoho at the rowing championships at Lake Karapiro, have been sleeping on the club’s premises. They are in strict training for the interprovincial eight-oar race, to be held in Wellington on Easter Saturday. At Wellington they will measure blades with Aramoho and a composite crew from Wanganui.