HUT WRECKED BY GALE

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26723, 6 May 1952, Page 8

HUT WRECKED BY GALE

CHRISTCHURCH SKI CLUB’S LOSS

While it was under construction, the Christchurch Ski Club’s hut at Temple Basin was wrecked during last week’s violent north-westerly gales. Hundreds of hours of voluntary labour had gone into the task of carrying materials to the site and erecting the 800 square feet hut, which had been brought to the stage where all the walls were covered with aluminium sheeting, but the roof had a covering of sarking only. Two club members from Otira. who climbed to the basin on Saturday, found that the hut had been swept away. The foundations and floor joists alone were intact.

Some of the light sheeting was swept into an adjacent 1000-feet deep basin. With jagged cuts in it little of the aluminium is of use. but some of the timber is still sound.

When ’ ord of the misfortune reached Christchurch a party of club members went to Temple Basin to assess the damage and examine the possibilities of rebuilding. At a meeting last evening the club committee decided to proceed with the rebuilding of the hut on a slightly modified design. A major effort will be made to get the job done before winter, and a start will be made next week-end, but as already there is snow on the ground at the site the job may present some difficulties.

During the university vacation a narty from the Canterbury College Ski Club will spend a good part of their holidays on the job. The college club is to take over the Christchurch Ski Club’s old hut when the new building is habitable.

Some supporters of the club have already given money to the rebuilding fund.