NORTH EGMONT HOSTEL

Taranaki Daily News, 19 October 1922, Page 7

NORTH EGMONT HOSTEL

THE ANNUAL REPORT. The committee’s report of the North Egmont Mountain House is as follows: The balance sheet exhibits a loss of £164 10s (id in the working account, ana a further £213 9s 4d on account of the hurricane that swept over the house at Easter.

The weather conditions during the whole of the season -were uhprecedent!y bad, many visitors who had booked for periods of a week or more having left after the first day or so because of the incessant rain. In the circumstances, the committee is satisfied with the season’s results, and relieved that the loss is not more than it is. The hurricane not only caused a serious loss in repairs, but also alarmed not a few intending visitors. Altogether it was an unfortunate season from every point of view.

The committee at the outset, after carefully going into things, resolved upon a policy of expansion. It was felt more accommodation should be provided, to deal with the business offering in the busy season, anil accordingly the committee let a contract for the erection of a deta.-hed building providing eight small rooms, anil for a drying room, engine house, wood-cutting ‘room, etc. The whole building was nut in a state of repair, and certain defects remedied, and the roof, etc., painted. The electric lighting plant had been destroyed by an explosion some time before, and another plant was -provided and installed, whilst the drainage was overhauled, and other necessary work carried out.

The committee - also inaugurated a policy of providing a cheap tariff during the off season and running cheap excursion week-end trips, but here again it met with almost continuous inclement weather conditions.

The committee has no doubt tbout the future success of the hostel. Given usual weather conditions it feels satisfied that the returns will more than meet outgoings, particularly in of the. fact that there are now greater facilities for meeting the demands at the height of the season, and feels certain that future committees will be able to further improve the hostel and. its facilities out of profits. The Minister for Tourists has been seen with regard to granting a subsidy to meet the costs occasioned by the hurricane, and it is hoped that a sufficient sum to cover them will be forthcoming. This will considerably help the committee.

In conclusion, the committee desires to place on record the splendid services rendered by the custodian (Mrs. Cameron), who has co-operated with the committee in every way to ensure the success of the hostel, and the secretary (Mr. Hugh Baily), who liaa thrown his whole heart and soul into the work of the committee. The committee are as follows:Messrs. Newton King, C. 11. Burgess, A. Boon, J. Connett, P. White, P. E. Stainton and T. C. List (chairman). The balance-sheet shows a credit balance of assets over liabilities of £ll5l.