STRATFORD MOUNTAIN HOUSE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 191, 21 January 1915, Page 8

STRATFORD MOUNTAIN HOUSE.

THE MOUNTAIN CLUB AND THE COUNTY. Messrs J. B. Richards and E. Jackson waited on the Stratford County Council yesterday on behalf of the Stratford Mountain Club, which the former, who acted as spokesman, said was doing its utmost to improve the access to the Mountain from Stratford. He said that the club appreciated the Council's offer to susidise the Government grant of £250 by £BS, or one-third of the amount necessary to bring the fund up to £SOO requisite to metal the road from' the end of the metal to the radius linn. I They found, however, that it was too big a hurdla to raise the necessary ,£l7O, and they asked the Council to in-1 crease its quota from £BS to £125, when the club would be able to raise the other £125. He pointed out that irrespective of any other benefit, it would' be a cheap proposition for the ratepayers to get the road metalled for £125. \ Mr E. Jackson pointed out that the Mountain was the only scenic attraction in the district. It was only nine miles 'from the Stratford station and with good access this would be the most popular route. Last year, as the result of improved .access, over 1000 had visit•ed the mountain, as against 200 the previous year. This season, since Christ- 1 mas, over 300 had visited the Mountain House. If the Council would grant I the extra £BO, he would be able to collect the £125.

Cr Chnstoffel was of opinion that the Council was doing its fair share in | voting £BS. The Mountain House was 1 of very little benefit to the majority of their ratepayers. He thought that there were too manv houses. If there were less they would be better looked after. The chairman pointed out that the Council was also donating the engineering supervision. Cr Walter thought that if good access was going to make the Mountain such an attraction to Stratford the Borough Council was foolish not to provide the balance. Members themselves as adverse to granting any further assistance, particularly as the state of their finances would not permit them to assist settlers on other roads A motion to that effect was carried. After some further discussion, it was also resolved that unless the Mountain Club had Raised the balance, of the money ( £165) before next County meetmg; the Council would withdraw it# proposed grant of £BS and call tenders for work to the extent of £250.