TONGARIRO PARK

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 25, 24 October 1918, Page 10

TONGARIRO PARK

VITALISING A GREAT ASSET

AN AUCKLAND MOVEMENT

CO-OPERATION OF NORTH ISLAND

CENTRES SOUGHT

Up to the present that glorious 60,000 i acre estate that embraces those noble 1 mountain peaks Tongnriro, Ruapehu, and Ngauruhoe and many other notably fine scenic attributes has been known to the general public, as a place where occasional rumours and reports of active volcanoes come from, w.d where Mr. J. Cullen has planted bushels of heather seed as gnmo feed for a happier future. Then has never been a ''big push," so to speak, to throw this great park open to week-enders and holiday trippers. There are no facilities for such people. They aro not wanted. It is the tourist of the future who is wanted, and lie will not go until his pathway is made eweet. In tho meantime a movement having its genesis in Mr. J. Cullen has been initiated by the Mayor of Auckland (Mr. J. H. Guiispn), who has visited tho park and has become fired with the enthusiasm which has hitherto been confined to Mr. Cullen and a few mid-sum-mer visitors. On this subject Mr. Gunson has written to the Mayor of Wellington as follows:—

"Sir—l recently spent four days at Tongariro National Park, as the outcome of representations which from time to time have been made to me, suggesting the necessity of urging tho Government to make more public provision and .undertake further development in this area. I had the advantage of being accompanied by Mr. J. Cullen, Hon. Warden of the part. Mr. Cullen has taken a very keen interest in this property for tho last twelve, years, and from him I was therefore able to obtain very valuable information with 'regard to the locality. The area is a unique one, ami abounds with enormous possibilities of development from a tourist standpoint and as a national recreation ground for our people. The park itself represents an area of about (j2,tiuu acres, wliilo it is surrounded by a military reserve 'of considerably greater area. Tho park includes the three mountains, Tongariro, Nganruhoe, and Kuapehu. To tho foot of these mountains it is approximately fifteen miles from the Wainiarino railway station. It appears to , me that this interest is not a focal but manifestly a national one, particularly affecting tho North Island interests. With a view therefore, of securing the support of tho principal centres of the North Island, I am communicating with the Mayors of Wellington, l'almerston North, Wanganui, Napier, and Hamilton, submitting for consideration the following proposals:—

"I. That with a view of developing and rendering more easily accessible to oversea touriels and.also local traffic tho Government be urged: (a) To form a road both to the foot of Kuapehn and the foot of Toiißariro and Ngauruhoe, about five miles in length in each instance, from the present Waimarino-Tokaanu road recently constructed by prison labour, (b) To erect a commodious hut, of approved accommodation, at the foot of Mount Ruapehu. (c) To erect an accommodation house at Waimarino in close proximity to the railway station. (Wainiarino is about half-way between Wellington -and. Auckland.)

"2. That, with a view of providing further facilities for traffic and catering for (he large volume of travellers who at present come across from Eotqnia to Tokannu, and with the view of inducing them to make the round trip coming out at the Main Trunk lino at Waimarino, the Government be urged forthwith to undertake the road deviation from Lake ■Roto ,Airo, across the saddle between K'akaramea and Pihanga Mountains to Tokaanu, and passing within half a nulu of that beautiful crater 'Roto I'ounanm, which nestles in virgin bush at the base of Pihanga, thus shortening the present road by about VI miles.

"3. That tho Government bo urged to include in tho park reservation tlio area at present fcet aside as a military reserve, without, prejudice, to tho military necessities of tho future.

"I am 'submittinp the above to you now for your consideration, and I shall be glad to hear from you ae to whether ihera is any likelihood of yon extending your support to the proposals. If you eon your lra; , to do so and the- other centres abovementioned. can also , fall into line, public mcetiiißS may then be arranged in tho fivo centres, I am tak- , ing this course as it appeared to inn thnfc the circumstances surrounding the interest are- unique, and that the added weight of joint representation from the chief centres of tho North Island would be calculated to achieve what upon the representation of this centre alone, would bo unattainable. Furthermore, as previously stated, tho interest is not nn Auckland interest alone, but I am sure you will agree, while being of national importance, it is peculiarly one for North Island development.

"Until I hear from you and those with whom I am communicating as advised, I proposo to take no further steps, btft in the meantime I would commend the question to your favourable consideration, and tvust to receive an" assurance of your fullest co-operation. ■ "I am, yours faithfully, "(Sgd.) H. GUNSON, "Mayor." , Co-operation from this End, Tho following reply was telegraphed to the Mayor of Auckland:—"Bo■ Tongaiiro National' Park, will gladly co-operato to promote scheme and conditions to enable fullest benefit to tho people in their great national asset— J. P. Luke, Jloj'or." •■' An Objection, Mr. It. M. Algie, secretary of the Enapehu Ski Club (Auckland University), has written to the Mayor of-Wellington as follows:

"Dear Sir,—l am instructed by the Ihiapehu Ski Club to communicate with you with regard to the abovementioned Tongariro National Park. I understand that.His Worship the Mayor of Auckland is placing before you for your consideration certain proposals for the improvement of tho park. * In particular he suggests, 1 believe, tho erection of certain .huts upon the mountains, tho construction of certain roads, and the erection later on of a Government accommodation house at Waimarino. These proposals will be eubmitted by him for public consideration at a meeting to he held subsequent to the receipt by our Mayor of au expression of opinion from yourselves. We, therefore, desire to point out that the last of these proposals will be opposed in Auckland; and we wish to place before you the reasons for our opposition, in order that you may be able to form a judgment on the matter. I would, therefore, respectfully request that you would allow me, in tho course of a few days, to place before you a memorandum setting out the leading objections to the last-mentioned proposal; find 1 would feel greatly obliged if in duo course yon would givo mo an expression of opinion, thereon."

Tiio following reply was telegraphed to Mr. E. Algie, University College, Auckland :

"Be Tongariro National Park, I am willing to consider your request, but will not consent to conditions that will in any way curtail the privileges of Jbo people in connection with their great national asset.— (Sgil) Luke, Mayor."