ARTHUR’S PASS PARK

Hokitika Guardian, 30 October 1931, Page 2

ARTHUR’S PASS PARK

MEET INC OF THE BOARD

GRANTS MADE FOR FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS.

CHRISTCHURCH, Oct. 20

Proposals ior the improvement of the Arthur’s Pass National Park w. re discussed at a meeting of the Bark Boaul yesterday afternoon. Mr \\ . Stewart presided and there were also present—Sir A. Dudley Dobson, Professor R. Speight, Dr E. Tciciielmann, Dr W. M’Kay and Messrs W. K. M.’Alpine, C. Darby, R. Twyneliam and E. AY. Freeman.

On the notion of Dr M’Kay it was decided to urge the Main Highways Board to complete the bridges over the Peg leg and Al’Grntli Creeks, as the structures would be a great convcni-

once to motorists. .PROPOSED NEW TRACK Hop or tin.<2: on helm If of the Croiinds Committee, Dr AEKny said there was a halnnee of £3O left out of tlie £>‘3oo granted for expenditure hv the committee. There was one track requiring / to he put through, hut lie suggested that attention might he given another track in the Upper Otira area. It was possible to go up the latter track ■on the Western side of the tunnel mouth and descend into the Otira vah- ’ Jey. The method of approach was quite satisfactory, b'ut. unfortunatelythe track was covered in scrub. The -track provided round trips to Mount Rolleston and to' Mount- Philistine, , and a good trip on its own. •*Mr Twynelmm explained that the track would make a much easier cilimb to Mount Rolleston. so people who could otherwise never go up would he able to do. so. Crampons • would be necessary hut there was nothing in the climb. Rr\M’Kay further stated that the track was practically on the divide and would form part of the Christchurch excursion. He would be quite v prepared to see money spent on the , tipper Otira track in preference to the Mount Barron track. ERECTION OF MILESTONES The advisabliiity of erecting milestones to indicate the distance tramperg had travelled, and cairns to show the height attained, was also reported on by Dr M’Kay at the suggestion of the ranger. He thought the' propostl was a good one, and did not-con-sider it would he very costly. It was al'-D reported by Dr M’Kay that the Committee was waiting for estimates of the cost of the bridge to the Punchbowl which might possibly prove too costly to* he worth while. So far the motorists’ camping ground was concern d the Automobile Association had said that it would go abend with the scheme wine the rmecs sity arose.; All the board required to do wafejte jitgfa the camps in approved sites. It was resolved to allot £IOO for expenditure on the Mount Barron and Upper Otira-Tracks and for the erection of milestones within the pmk. "the work to be undertaken in that order DU Ell LICENCES '‘“"'The position relating to deer licences was discussed, the chairman ftatmg that at prasnt it was an offence for, anyone to enter the park with a rifle without a permit from the board. There were three shooting blocks however, and the licences would include the right to shoot tliar

and chamois. It was resolved that the first fortnight the Jir-ei; e fee .should be £3 3s and that for this charge the blocks should he hallo ted for. It was further agreed that week-end licenses should he 10s; fourteen-day licences £l. Is and licenses up to twenty-eight days, £2 2s.

The fi name committee reported that the chief source of revenue during the half year was rent, £ll2, and lease feels £-10, and net profit.for the period was £lOl. The cash at the hank totalled £SBO. There were forty-five town-ship sections held hy? tenants. Thirty-six leases j had been completed, .while three _ were awaiting completion.

•It was decided to increase the ranger’s honorarium from £25 to £SO.

An offer by Mr C. J. Gasson to provide a store seat in the park for the convenience of trnmpers, with a'possibility of inducing others to make similar donations, was accepted.