MT. HECTOR TRACK.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 18 July 1919, Page 3

MT. HECTOR TRACK.

FURTHER PROGRESS REPORTED. A,meeting of the conimitteo of the Mount Hector Track was held at Otaki on Wednesday night. Present: Messrs W. Tompsitt (chairman), G. M. Lethbridge, W. Jepson, M. H. Ayre, and H. Nicolson (secretary). Apologies for unavoidable absence were received from Major Addington and Mr W. H. Field, M.P., the former being indisposed and Sthe latter detained on important business in Wellington. Owing to a mishap the Gorge members of the committee arrived after the meeting had terminated. x The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, after which the following correspondence was read and dealt with:— From D. J. Cruickshank (Wellington), stating he had read with interest the doings of the Track Committee, and soliciting further particulars.—Tho secretary reported that he had supplied all available information. From Mr W. H. Field, M.P., enclosing a letter which he had received from the Minister of Public Works intimating that the grant of £IOO made in the year 1914 had been expended, and also stat-

ing that provision had been made on

I the Public Works appropriation list for a further £SO to bo expended by the Track Committee, but pointed out that a draft detail of tho proposals -should be made to the district engineer, who had been authorised to approve of them if found satisfactory, and suggesting that for day labour the pay should not exceed 12s per diem. Not being satis- , fled about the expenditure of the £.IOO granted in 1914 he (Mr Field) telephoned the Public. Works Department, and was assured that this money had been spent, either by the then committee, or by some persons or body acting on their behalf. Still he was not satisfied with the accuracy or otherwise of this statement, and asked for further particulars to be ascertained.—The secretary said he had made enquiries from Mr W. B. Smith, who was secretary in 1914, and had been told that 1 not one farthing of the grant had bqen spent by tho committee, while Mr Smith J further stated that particulars of the j money, if spent, could be obtained from the Public Works Department.—lt was agreed to leave the matter to Mr Field j to attend to.

Mr Field also wrote, noting with satisfaction that Mr Beauchamp had been instrumental in securing a grant of £lO from the Eorowhenua County Council. This, with the now £SO grant and private donations, together with money in hand, should be sufficient to put the track in order, not only as far as the hut site but for some distance further. He also stated that he had not see* the Minister in charge of the Tourist Department with respect to a further grant for the track, but hoped to do so shortly.—Received.

From Evelyn Macdonald, resigning as a member of the committee, stating it was inconvenient for him to attend meetings.—Accepted with regret. From W. H. Field, M.P., stating, as instructed by the committee, he had proceeded with Mr Lethbridge and interviewed the Greytown Committee for the purpose cf settling the question of a site for a hut On the Otaki side, and to discuss matters generally affecting the tourist route. After discussion it was apparant there was no actual difference of opinion between the two committees, but tho Greytown secretary had made a mistake in calling Mount Dennan the site which they advocated for a central hut on the top of tho ridge. Tie Greytown Committee had never dreamed of establishing a hut on Monnt Dennan proper. He had assured them that Otaki was in favour of constructing a hut as soon as possible near Monnt Hector, and the best site would doubtless be that suggested by the Greytown Committee, namely, in the saddle between Monnt Hector and the western peak. This having been explained the Greytown Committee expressed themselves entirely favourable to the site recommended on Judd’s Ridge at the end of the bush below Table Top. With respect to their contribution of £SO they agreed to this being devoted either to the hut or tho track on Otaki side. The Wairarapa Committeo also expressed satisfaction at the Otaki Committee’s activity.—Received, the report being considered quite satisfactory. From Tourist Department, forwarding photographs of Native plants growong on Mount Hector range.—The secretary reported that he had made application for the photos so as to make frequent widow displays and thus work up enthuriasm. He had written thanking the Department for its gift.—Letter received. F. W. Vosseler also wrote in reference to a letter from the secretary, stating he would be pleased to send along some snapshots.—Mr Vosseler was thanked fox his promised donation. Mr Vosseler also wrote relative to the formation of a Tararua Club (fully reported in a previous issue) and commending the Otaki Committee for signs of animation.—lt was decided to work hand-in-hand with the Club, it being agreed that such an organisation would be the means of doing much good. From W. H. Field, M.P., enclosing a letter from the Hon. W. D, S. MacDonald, Tourist Minister, in which it was stated he could not promise further assistance at present, other than the £SO already granted, but stated a further vote would be considered when the Estimates were being prepared.— Keceived. The treasurer (Mr Ayre) reported that a credit balance of £l6 Ss lOd was in hand, and that £ll 5s had been paid out of recent date for track improvement.