THE MOUNTAIN HOUSE.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 October 1921, Page 5

THE MOUNTAIN HOUSE.

QUESTION OF ADMINISTRATION. TRIBUTE TO GUARANTORS. A speaker at the meeting of the Tourist and Expansion League held last week (Mr. R. C. Hughes) expressed the opinion that new blood was beneficial, and he quoted the new committee in charge of the North Egmont Mountain House in support of his remarks. At a further meeting of the league held last night Mr. C. H. Burgess replied to this, stating that the developments which had taken place with reference to the Mountain House did not involve a question of any new members being introduced because of the inefficiency of the old. It had merely been a transfer of the hostel administration from the hands of the North Egmont Committee to the owners of the house—the guarantors, who were previously represented on the committee. For some time they had been at a disadvantage for lack of capital, but were successful in obtaining an advance, and the newly-constituted committee was, therefore, able to start under favorable circumstances. Mr. Burgess mentioned that, in addition to having to meet a good deal of expenditure out of revenue, they were unable to cope with all the enquiries, and one year over £360 worth of bookings were turned down as there was no room. The guarantors knew what was required, but did not have the capital. Mr. T. C. List, chairman of the league, and also of the committee, said that since he had accepted office on the Mountain House Committee a few weeks ago he had been able to gain an insight into the administration, and he thought they had every reason to be grateful for the work done in the past by the older guarantors. It was through the work of these men that a sum of £l2OO was now available for providing additional accommodation, and eight rooms were to be added to help cope with the heavy influx of visitors in the middle of the holiday season. This would mean an increased income, and it was hoped to devote any profit to further improvements.