EGMONT NATIONAL PARK BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 280, 29 April 1914, Page 6

EGMONT NATIONAL PARK BOARD.

A meeting of the Board was held at the Stratford Council Chambers yesterdu >• Mr. CI. Bullard, Commissioner of Crown Lands, presiding, there also being present: Messrs Willcox, J. R. Hill, C. Goodsou, W. A. Collis, R. McK. Morison, F. W. Wilkie ami H. Stoeker (secretary). Tlie question of the erection of a tollgate on the Manaia road was discussed, together with a suggestion for a telephone from the Dawson's Falls House to Stratford.—Mr. Morison moved that the matter be referred to the South Mountain lipuse Committee to report to the next meeting of the Board.—Mr. Collis said he would second the motion if the committee had power to act.—This was agreed to and the motion carried. A letter was read from the Commissioner of Crown Lands stating that the Egmoat County Council and the filth am Borough Council were each entitled to a representative on the Board.—The secretary reported that the county had appointed Mr. Willcox, and that the borough nominee was Mr. Crump.—Mr. Willcox took his scat and was welcomed to the Board.

The secretary stated that (he Department hail retained £lO of the allocation. —lt was decided that the £lO be spent on the track to the Manganui Gorge. The balance-sheet for the past quarter was submitted, showing receipts to iie £351 6s 2d (including the balance of £1)0 8s lid brought forward) and expenditure £2Ktf 18s 24, leaving a balance of £B4 8s in hand.

Accounts were passed for payment ayd tiic balance-sheet accepted. ■Mr. Collis urged that the number of meetings sliould be reduced to two, the chairman calling special meetings when necessary, and that a sub-commitee lit appointed.—The chairman was inclined to favor three meetings instead of four. —Mr. Collis agreed to leave matters as they were, provided the chairman hail power to allow a meeting to lapse it' ho considered tin; business was not of sufficient importance for a meeting, and he moved in that direction.—The motion was carried.

After the chairman had explained his powers as to dealing with matters between meetings, the suggestion for a sub-committoo was dropped. Mr. Bayfield renewed his application for a general prospecting license—The chairman pointed out that such a license could only cover a small area. He also explained that the Board had no power to act, but that a warden could grant the license with the Board's consent.— In reply to the chairman, Mr. Baylicid said what he wanted was a v gener'al license to prospect.-The chairman, while willing to give a permit to prospect, was opposed to giving a lease.—Mr. Bayfield snid the lease weuld follow.—The chairman said ho had information that four or five minerals were to be found in die area under the Board's control.—lt was decided to empower the chairman to take such action 111 the matter as he thought fit, it being understood that Jlr. Bayfiehl should have permission to prospect for specimen*;.

On the motion of Mr. Collis, the matter of whether the (ioveniment had attended to the request of tile Board to take steps to make the ground safe where drives and shafts had been made near the Stratford Mountain House, was left to the chairman to enquire into. The question of dealing with strny cattle in the reserve wa« discussed, the (' airmail l>eing authorised to grant per- ' 's to applicants for shooting stray vat, tie.

The chairman congratulated the East Committee 0)1 the improvement in its affairs and the activity displayed by the Stratford Mountain Club. The Board then rose.—Stratford reporter. , r.