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Speeches at a dinner to mark the official opening of the new [third] Hermitage hotel at Mt Cook.
Prime Minister Walter Nash speaks and pays tribute to Fletcher construction and the architects in building the hotel. He cuts the cake and declares the lodge open. He is presented with the knife with which he cut the cake.
This is followed by Mr John Fletcher, managing director of Fletcher Construction Company. He talks about building the hotel and congratulates the architect and also Fletcher employees Barry Haggerty and George Burke. He also makes a presentation to the Prime Minister.
An interview with Peter Graham who also recalls the first Hermitage, which was built in 1886 and operated until 1913, when a flood damaged part of the building. He recalls some of the early guests and the warm hospitality the original Hermitage offered.
Mr. Marshall [chairman of the Tourist Hotel Corporation], gives a history of The Hermitage, beginning in 1884, when it was about three miles away from the current building. The coach journey between Fairlie and the Hermitage took two days. He reads a description of the trip. In 1902 a pigeon post service ran between the hotel and Tekapo. Pigeons were also used to send messages when climbers went missing.
The Wigley family established the first motor transport service to Mt Cook in 1907 and Harry Wigley is present at this event [applause.]
Radio telephones were introduced in the huts in 1950 and have undoubtedly saved many lives already. He pays tribute to some of the early guides and reads names, including Mick Bowie, who is present [applause]. He talks about the first ascent of Mt Cook in 1894.
In 1904-05, 175 guests stayed at The Hermitage. In 1956 there were 9,700. He says The Hermitage is a vital link in the South Island tourist circuit. He says South Island tourists stay in the region for a longer time than in the North Island. He says the problem of seasonal occupancy must be overcome.