TONGARIRO PARK

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 74, 21 December 1918, Page 2

TONGARIRO PARK

— Q . NEED :FOR DEVELOPMENT, '' Tho importance of taking early find energetic stops to. develop ■ the possibilities of the I'ongariro NatiohalTark'ae' a holiday resort for mountaineere and pleasiire-seskerfi generally is strongly urged by Mr. C. J. PariyM.P., who re. turned to Auckland on Tuesday after a visit to Mount- EgniQiit. Mr. Parr says, that Mount. Egmont, which he ascended on Saturday last, is being visited this season by so many people thnt nil the available accommodation at the Mountain House at Dnwson.Falls is locked up till April next. People are now being turned away in large numbers. "I am satisfied," said Mr. Parr, "that the Auckland people <lo not fully appreciate the great asset that lies fo near to their doors in Mount Muapehu, and the other attractions of the great Tongariro National Park. • Euapohii is not only 60 much easier of access"." to' Auckland than Mount Egiuont, but the climbing is much easier and safer. ■ The National ■ Park'is a natural holiday ground,, and offers great opportunities for mountain climbing and snow sports of all kinds. There is no more healthful pastime than that of mountaineering, and Aucklanders should no longer neglect (lie opening up of this magnificent pleasure resort. If the matter were pressed, I believe that a Government grant towards the cost of erecting a hostel and .doing the other necessary work could be obtained." Mr. Parr added that southern enthusiasts in mountaineering, who had visited Uuapchu, declared that this mountain had a charm peculiar to itself, aiid that they wondered why tho Auckland people had not bestirred themselves in this matter long ugOj

Mr, Philip Gibbs is believed to have. Ilie longest record of unmterMipted.serviee as a newspaper correspondent Jit tlio front. Some littlo time ago, however, illness miulo it necessary for him to take n rest in England. His health had been affected by Hie strain of unvemltting toil under conditions which were not favournble to one of his slender physique. ■ i