The Daily News. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1905. THE EGMONT NATIONAL PARK BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7916, 4 September 1905, Page 2

The Daily News. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1905. THE EGMONT NATIONAL PARK BOARD.

If there j* our feature of Taranaki that has, more than anything else I possibly with the exception of butter) caused our district to be known throughout the civilised worldi it is Mount Kgmont. which, with the surrounding reserves, cotnes under the management and control of the Kgnvmt .National ,I\irk Hoard. The annual report of this body as read at the meeting on Thursday contain..-,I much that was interesting, and de- | monst rated hoiv greutly the attractions of Mount F.gmnnl arc .being appreciated by visitors from other Inrids as well as by residents in the Colony. Considering the Bomewhat primitive nature of the approaches, and the rcstricWd accommodation to

be found at the several houses erect'•it for visitors, it is astonishing that so large a number of people Wendell their way thither last year. There i* a great deal to be done before It can be said that the necessary provision for tourists and local visitors in up-to-date. This the Hoard recogni.se* perhaps moro than other people, but money is essential for roads and tracks before it is possible to entertain the question of a suitable hotel or boarding house. ear by year the Hoard, and the energetic -district committees do excellent work with the small means available, but time presses, and the need for meeting the increased requirements consequent on the flow of visitors to this grand spot is becoming more and more pressing. Such a splendid asset should be made tho most of, and a liberal vote granted towards the cost entailed in developing the traffic. Local visitors taking a week end trip to the mountain and back are not so greatly concerned at having to put up with inconveniences, but to attract the tourists and those desirous of benefitting their health,there must be better roads and njoro comfort abld quarters in which to spend a few weeks. It is to be hoped that. tho Tourist Department will urge tho claims of Mount F.gniont on the Oovernnicnt with a view to having the present defective arrangement!*' remedied. The time and care that are bestowed on tho administration of the small funds now available reflect the greatest credit on the members of the Hoard and tho various district committees, the only regret being that owing to restricted funds their scope of good work is far too limited. Overcrowding at a pleasure or health resort is decidedly objectionable, atu\ it is high timelthat adequate and satisfactory provision was made for the ever increasing number of visitors to ottr beautiful mountain. There would (lien be some inducement for visitors or those who are fond of climbing, or those uho take a da light in tho beauties of "Nature, H stay on tin' mountain sufliciently long to become acquainted with its many charms and varieties of scenery, instead of merely paying a Hying visit nnd losing the best part of the at t ran ions. In the last lew

years many improvements have beer, effected, thanks to the persistent energy of those few enthusiasts who have devoted their time and energies (or t(ie public welfare. It has been a hard struggle to accomplish what has been done, nnd pressure should now be brought, to bear on the fiovernmcnl to develop the traffic to Mount Kirmont on the same liberal lines as have been adopted with regard to other and more favoured beauty spots and health resorts. Thi' question Is not one of local but of colonial importance, jiml therefore should rereive the favourable attention wheh it demands.