MOUNTAIN HUT AT EGMONT

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28490, 21 January 1958, Page 7

MOUNTAIN HUT AT EGMONT

Forced Entry Resented (Hew Zealana Press Association! NEW PLYMOUTH, Jan. 20. A forced entry into Tahurangi Hut on Mount Egmont by nine Auckland visitors recently is regarded as a serious offence by the executive of the Taranaki Alpine Club, and the police have been informed. The action of the visitors, a mixed party not belonging to any alpine or tramping club, was discovered in an unusual way. Mr J. Forsyth, an Egmont National Park ranger, was training the park board telescope on the mountain when he noticed smoke coming from the chimney of the hut. He knew that no club members were in the hut and that no visitors had been authorised to obtain the hut key. He immediately rang the hut by telephone from the old house and discovered that the occupiers Were the Auckland party. On their return to north Egmont the party was questioned by Mr Forsyth and a member of the Taranaki Alpine Club’s executive. They had forced their way into the hut by removing a piece of iron wall sheeting and opening the door from the rear. They had then lit a fire in the hut stove, helping themselves to a supply of carbonettes. and had lit the club’s cookers to boil water for drinks. The alpine club regards this action seriously because Tahurangi Hut is a centre for search and rescue operations and contains equipment and supplies that might he needed in an emergency. All supplies, including fuel and carbonettes, are carried more than 2000 ft up the mountain by club members.