TARARUA MOUNTAIN DISTRICT

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 240, 4 July 1919, Page 8

TARARUA MOUNTAIN DISTRICT

A PICTURESQUE RESORT

TARARUA CLUB FORMED

A meeting was held in Messrs. Alcock s rooms last evening to discuss tlie question of forming a Tararua Club with a view to popularising' tho Tararua walk, Mr. W. H. Field, M.P., presided, andM.r. F. \V. Vosseler explained the object of the meeting. The chairman said that although he had had a great deal lo do with the preparation of the track, he had not been connected with it at the time of its survey. Tho Greytown Committee had doiie'a considerable amount of work in pushing their portion of the trace through, haviug established one hut at Tauherenikau and one at the foot of Jit. Alpha. In the case of the Otaki people they had executed much clearing, but biid not yet accomplished sufficient work to render their section of the track safe. Since the termination of the war, however, steps had been taken to push the work forward, and a recent conference took place between tho Otaki and Greytown committees, and an amicable understanding had been arrived at. It was proposed to approach the Government for un additional grant of .£l5O for the purpose of building a hut at the foot of, Mr. Hector. As far as Otaki was concerned it had in hand a sum of £20, obtained from private subscriptions and two grants o? XSO, which were on the Estimates. This money would he devoted towards erecting huts at different points along tho track, and rendering the track generally safe. The idea of forming a Tararua Club in Wellington was favourably received by the Greytown Committee. Tho spunkor went on to emphasise the charm of the district and the general beauty of the walk. It mis near Wellington, and a ss. railway ticket, would take anyone to the commencement! of Ibo track, whereas it would cost a great deal moro to do the walk at Mt. Egmont. Tho country at Tararua was adaptable to ski-ing and tobagganing, and the botanist would find the district suited to his '•vork, The speaker referred to the report of the track made by tfle. late Mr. H, Girdlestone, whjch ivas ft valuable document for those taking on the walk. Ho forecasted the quick development of the track and its extension. "It was a wonderfully beautiful mountain resort," continued the speaker "and 1 hope it will not b6 long before it becomes to be recognised as a slcasure resort of New Zealand:" He thought It an excellent ideu to establish a Central Club in Wellington. Mr. Vosseler mentioned tho need for gua'wiianship in the • district. He had noticed reneatodly dead pigeons and kaka which ha?, been shot. These birds were getting scarce, and he thought that there should be eome guardianship exercised. As to the district, he said thero was ample ski-ing , ground and also a number of ice-skating areas there. .On the motion of Mr. Hoggard, Messrs. von Haast, Vosseler, and Field were appointed a committee to draft the constitution of the club, and report to a meeting to be called at a later date.