TONGARIRO PARK

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 112, 9 February 1928, Page 13

TONGARIRO PARK

ADMINISTRATION OF NATIONAL DOMAIN

BOARD’S POLICY DEFENDED

CHAIRMAN’S REPLY TO CRITICISM

Recent criticisms of the administration of the affairs of the Tongariro National Park were replied to yesterday by the chairman of the National Park Board, Mr. J. B. Thompson (Under-Sec-retary for Lands) in an interview with a "Dominion" representative. In dealing with the complains of Professor Worley, and Mr. C. T. Salmon, of Palmerston North, Mr. Thompson said the board always welcomed constructive criticism of its policy, but destructive criticism helped nobody.

Traversing Professor Worley’s statements before the New Zealand Institute, Mr. Thompson considered that a lack of knowledge of essential facts Iyad been displayed, and much carping criticism indulged in. For instance, he said, it was made to appeal - as if the Prisons Department had, in some generous way, been the medium of supplying free of cost to the nark authorities, the Bruce Road. Fortunately, it was generally known that the Prisons Department was paid for every scrap of work it does for the National Park Board, and had received up to date over £70(10 for the use of prison labour. Regarding the clearing of the water tables of Bruce Hoad, and its general maintenance, here again the Prisons Department would from time to time attend to them at the expense of the board, and it was only a short while ago since such work was attended to. Amenities at Whakapapa Huts. "One would hardly expect the time Of the New Zealand Institute being taken up with a diatribe upon soiled pillows and the lack of hem-stitched billow-slips," said Mr. -Thompson. "Mattresses and pillows in stout casings are supplied in quantity for visitors, but as there is no laundry the board draws the line at providing sheets and pillowslips. Obviously, the caretaker. cannot take in washing. . . ■ Complaints are also made at the charge for use of baths, but it should be known that the board has very limited funds, and must try and pay its way. Some £3OO was spent on bath-houses, fitted with porcelain baths, using chin heaters. A small charge of Is. is made for a hot bath; but there is no obligation to use it, as there is a stream handy. Every bit of wood used from the wood pile is supplied by the board free of cost to campers, as the board, at considerable expense, pays for the cutting and carriage of this wood, so that there shall be no invasion of the beautiful bush adjoining the camp.” Location of the Hostel. Referring to the hostel, which is to be constructed, the 'chairman of the Park Board said that the plans had been prepared by the Government architect, and that every angle of view had been examined prior to fixing the orientation of the buildings. Obviously, it was difficult to look three ways at the same time, and this became increasingly difficult when one was inside. People should be outside when weather was good, and would then have no difficulty in seeing all points. When the weather was bad, no views would be had _ of the mountains from any vantage point. The board was quite able to determine its ipquirements for a modest hostel without calling in any further outside advice.

Mr. Thompson remarked that the board had only approved the hostel layout and location, and that the possible augmentation of units ad lib had not been decided upon. Both hostel and units would be simple, but, at the same time, picturesque, and in no way resembling a hut encampment. He had anticipated that someone disinterested .would take exception to Professor Worley’s remarks regarding dirty huts and the proposed new building, and Mr. Salmon had given his impressions and opinions. Air. Thompson stated emphatically that the huts were as clean as could be reasonably expected, and that tho onus rested upon each party occupying them to leave the huts clean and sweet upon its departure. Regarding the provision of septic tanks, it was quite impracticable in the past, to construct them in view of future building operations; but now that the hostel programme had been decided upon, tanks would be built which would allow of a general linking up of all conveniences. After all was said and done, a camp, and not a township, was the position at date. Administration of the Park. Mr. Thompson said Mr. Salmon's ideals were well known. He desired a positive state of nature throughout the park—no hostels, motor-roads, or modern facilities. However, there was something like 145,000 acres in the park, and it would be quite easy to escape the "madding crowd” of wealthy tourists. It was the duty of the board to cater for others than purely campers, as many persons had no desire to carry camp impedimenta with them. There was room for all and it was surmised that even the proposed modest hostel would not meet the requirements of the ultrarich. One day the board and the people would see a big hostel raise its walls in some part of the park. “The present is no time to approach the Government for large grants,' said Mr. Thompson, "and let it be said there are other national parks to be considered. The Government has generously subsidised in the past all monies received by the board, and will, no doubt, do so again. Personnel of the Board. “Mr Salmon, in referring; to ‘rampant officialdom’ was apparently very ill-in-formed regarding the personnel of the board." There were only four Government members of the board. Of the remaining ten members two were the Mayors of Wellington and Auckland respectively, and who would deny that these large cities should not have representation on the board? The other gentlemen on the board were private members, whose services were gratuitously at. the board’s disposal and who bad the interests of our national heritage at heart always. The statement that "only one or two members ever visited the park apart from official business” was given a flat contradiction. Mr. Thompson further commented that it would be difficult to find a board so well-balanced and representative of all parties and phases of public interest—the State, sport, forestry, science, scenery preservation and alpine work, and the public. Mr. Thompson concluded by stating that the Park Board would continue to provide facilities from time to time commensurate witli its finances, and would welcome helpful suggestions from responsible citizens, but that pin-prick-ing criticism was to be deprecated, as it frequently indicated a lack of knowledge and sense of proportion, not to mention ignorance of the improvements effected by the board since taking up control of the park.