A COMMUNITY PROJECT

Taranaki Daily News, 27 November 1926, Page 12

A COMMUNITY PROJECT

NORTHERN MOUNTAIN HOUSff A COMPANY FORMED. I'ld.OOO SHARE CAPITAL RAISED, BIG IMPROV EMENTS PHOPOSBD. The North Egniont mountain house was built, as will be remembered, by public subscription and moneys advanced by the bank on the guarantee of a number of New Plymouth business men, together with a small Government subsidy. For twelve years the house has been managed by a committee re. presenting the guarantors. Tho purpose was not to make profits so much aa to provide facilities for tourists and visitors to the district. In fact, the mountain house was rega r<led as a necessary adjunct to the town. The guarantors haye had no fortunate run. A water spout destroyed the water supply in the gorge of the Waiwakaiho; an accident caused the destruction of the electric generating plant and buildings; a local tornado tore off much of tin- roof and caused other damage. For some time past the guarantors felt that if the house was to properly till its purpose increased facilities were required, such as a social hall, and a billiard room, for in wet weather visitors had little or nothing to interest them, and the absence of central heating, especially in the bedrooms, was keenly felt. The executive called the guarantors together some time ago, and laid the position before them. Many of the guarantors felt they bad done enough for the house, and ivere disinclined to go further. Other*, however, considered it would be a great loss to the town and district if the house were closed, and proposed that a company, with adequate capita), should be formed and take over the buildings and make the necessary extensions and improvements. The idea was accepted, and a company with a capital of £10,900 was formed, each guarantor subscribing shares representing his full liability to the bank. The executive since then have placed the proposal before the citizens, and it says much for their sense of patriotism, faith in the town, and enterprise that they subscribed the full amount of the capital, viz., £10.009, in a few weeks, the refusals to help not numbering more than three. Altogether there are over 120 shareholders, the great majority being for £lOO. The company will go to allotment next week, permanent directors will then be appointed, and arrangements ip.ade to forthwith put in hand the selteme of improvements. Mr. aud Mrs. Lorimer, formerly of Havelock NorKh, have taken a lease of the house for a term of years, and it will be managed by them in future, instead of by a committee, as heretofore.

The Boys’ High School Alpine Club have made a start with the laying down of bitumen asphalt tennis courts, and assistance in carrying out the work has been promised by the Rotary Club. It is hoped that the work will be completed this summer, and grounds laid out, so as to make tho environs of both the new and the old houses more interesting and attractive to visitors. Those engaged in having the shares taken up were unable to see all towns, people in the time available, but it is hoped the company will decide to increase the capital to allow the others to participate in this community scheme, and so enable further improvements to be carried out. The Government lias intimated its intention to contribute half the cost of re-iuaking and tar.sealing the fdur miles from the radius line to the house, providing the board accepts the liability, through its constituent bodies, for the other half, and will make £l5OO available forthwith for commencing the road work, which is estimated to cost £7OOO.