HIGH LEVEL CHALET PLANNED FOR MT. RUAPEHU

Wanganui Chronicle, 1 November 1950, Page 6

HIGH LEVEL CHALET PLANNED FOR MT. RUAPEHU

RAETIHI, Last Night (O.C.).—With the greater development of Tongariro National Park and its increasing popularity as a tourist resort its business potentialities are being computed by private interests. Saturday’s meeting of the National Park Board had before it three applications for leases of sites at different points in the park for the erection of accommodation houses. H. T. Mitchell, asked for an acre at Scoria Flat for the building of an alpine hut to accommodate 100 persons; Mrs. A. L. Clarke, as organiser of parties from Rotorua, desired a site with 5 miles of the Chateau; and Mr. G. D. Bary applied for a tenancy of two acres on the Desert Road on which to erect tea rooms and which would be developed on the lines of a sportsmen’s camp. In submitting a case for the total exclusion of private interests from the park area the manager of the Tourist Department, Mr. H. Marshall, detailed a scheme for the provision of a chalet just above the 5000 feet level at the end of the present road through Scoria Flat. This would comprise dormitories to accommodate 60 persons, it would contain a cafeteria and would be managed by a married couple. The matter was in the hands of an architect and a drawing would soon be available. There had been a strong advocacy for the high level chalet and with its accomplishment there would be no need for the private applicant.

Board members said that there should be a long term plan of an entire area for progressive development. This should be largely entered into by the Tourist Department and all necessary public facilities could be supplied by the department. Members thought that there was some merit, however, in the application of Mr. Bary as he sought to develop a public utility in the centre of a 40 mile length of desert highway and this was something highly desirable from the motorists angle. Members were divided in their opinions as to the wisdom of establishing a precedent in granting a lease in this instance, but on the majority favouring such action a committee of the chairman of the board, Mr. D. M. Greig, Mr. P. Kearins, and the park warden was set up to inspect the area applied for and to report to the Wellington executive who would make a decision.

The applications of Mr. Mitchell and Mrs. Clarke were declined.