THE MOUNTAIN HOSTELRY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 265, 18 March 1911, Page 7

THE MOUNTAIN HOSTELRY

MEETING OF GUARANTORS. A meeting of guarantors in connection with the proposed new mountain hostelry on Mount Egmont was held in the Council Chambers on Thursday evening, Mr. Newton King being in the chair in the absence of the Mayor (Mr. G. Tisch). Mr: King reported that the deputation had waited on the National Park Board, and the lease, with slight amend' ments, had now been agreed to. It would be necessary to recommend two members to the North Egmont Mountain House Committee for submission and approval by the National Park Board.

Messrs. M. Fraser and T. Avery were nominated.

Messrs. (Jovett and Quilliam were appointed solicitors to the guarantors, and to prepare a lease for submission to the Park Board's solicitors, Messrs. Wilson and Grey. Messrs. N. King and C. H. Burgess were appointed as trustees under the lease.

Mr. Fraser moved, and Mr. T. Avery seconded, that the site known as the lower one, situated to the right of and about eight chains below the present house, be finally decided upon. Mr. G. T. Murray, resident road engineer, reported that there was a permanent running stream of good quality and volume about 45 chains to the north, which could be brought to the proposed site by gravitation, and that where this stream first came to the surface (in the dry season at least) was on exactly the same level as the present house.

Mr. Collis said there would be no difficulty as regards supply from the recently found source. There would be a fall of about 80 feet. The intake would be in the bush, and so away from any possible damage by boulders or slips. The work of making the road to and clearing the new site would be put in hand at once.

Kough estimates of expenditure were drawn up, providing £2OO for cost of water supply and power, £I2OO for house in concrete, and £4OO for furnishing same. It was decided to invite competitive designs for a single-storey concrete building, not to cost more than £I2OO. Specifications to provide for dining-room, drawing-room, smokingroom, lavatories, Oft. verandah, and bedrooms Bft. x 10ft., were drawn up. Messrs. J. P. Eustace, W. A. Collis, W. C. Weston, and the lion, secretary (Mr. A. L. Humphries) were appointed a canvassing committee. It was stated that about £3OO had already been promised in cash subscriptions, and an effort would require to be made to bring this amount up to £SOO at least.