MT. HOLDSWORTH.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 7 December 1926, Page 5

MT. HOLDSWORTH.

A CLUB FORMED. A meeting was hold in the Y.M.C.A. rooms last evening, under the auspices of the P.T.M. Committee, to form a Mt. Holdsworth Club, to popularise, protect and improve that mountain resort. Mr R. J. Young presided. Mr F. Noris reported that he had inspected the road giving acces's to the foot of Mount Holdsworth. The road was bad in places, but the pot-holes could be easily filled with stones from the Maungatarere creek. It was necessary to place- the road in order before popularising the mountain. The swing bridge needed some new planking to place it in order. The lower lmt was in fair condition, but the mountain hut had one side of the roof of the men’s quarters missing. Mr Thomsen stated that he would allow motorists to camp on the left side of the roadway on his property at any time, and on the right side he would agree to lease at a peppercorn rental an area of half an acre or more as a children’s playground. Dead timber at present lying in the area could be removed. Mr G. R. Sykes, M.P., slated that he had interviewed Mr L. Macintosh Ellis (Director of Forestry) regarding the proposal to control Mount Holdsworth, which was included in a forest reserve. The Department was oniy too anxious to help the residents to improve and protect the area, and full authority' Would be given for its control. Two of the members of the club would be appointed rangers', with full power to deal with offenders. Replying to a question as to whether a Government grant could be obtained, Mr Sykes said he did not see any" difficulty' to a grant being secured next session. On the motion of Messrs Garvitfch and Lewis, it was unanimously decided to form a club to protect, improve and popularise Mount Holdsworth, and the peaks to the north, to be known as the Mount Holdsworth Club. It was decided that membership fees be as follows: —Honorary 10s, active ss, junior (under 21) 2s 6d. A vigorous campaign is to be institute?! to enrol members and place the club upon a solid footing. It was decided to write to the Forestry Department, making application for authority to control the area, and to accept with thanks Mr Thomsen’s offer of land for a children’s playground. Messrs Lewis and Anstice were instructed to ascertain what arrangements could be made to cart metal for the road and to repair the swing bridge. Messrs Lewis, Young and Norris were empowered to sanction the work if suitable arrangements could be made. Mr F. Norris was appointed honorary secretary, but the election of officers was held over for the pres'ent. A vote of thanks was passed to the Y.M.C.A. for allowing the free use of a room for the purposes of the meeting, and to the Press.