Remarkable Growth Of Amuri Ski Club

Press, Volume C, Issue 29524, 27 May 1961, Page 5

Remarkable Growth Of Amuri Ski Club

AFTER being in existence for only four years, the Amuri Ski Club must have a strong claim to being the fastest-growing ski club in the country. From small beginnings in February, 1958, the club has blossomed to its present position as the second-largest club in the South Island. The club has its ski field on the slopes of Mount Patrick, overlooking the old St. James homestead in the Upper Clarence, and about seven miles from Hanmer. By May. 1958, the club members had built three miles of their own access road from

the St. James homestead, erected a day hut and towshed, and installed a rope tow giving a 500 ft vertical lift. Then the club had the misfortune to experience a bad snow season, and but for the continued faith and enthusiasm of members, the field might have been abandoned. During 1959, improvements were made to the road, and that winter the snow returned and confirmed the club’s faith in the area. The snow was so copious that it was almost an embarrassment. but the club was quick to install a portable tow at

the summit of Jack’s Pass, and it proved extremely popular with persons making day trips. Last year, a 14-bunk hut and a diesel electric light and heating plant were installed. Notwithstanding the moderate snowfall, the season was highly successful, and the club membership climbed towards 400.

Rescue J Although it has a long ] access road, and in heavy . snow seasons the road may ' be buried under several feet. ' some members have always ' come to the rescue with bull- 1 dozers and tractors, fitted up ’ as snowploughs and allowed 1 club traffic to get through. ; This year the road has been i improved again, and the top ' section has been re-sited on 1 the sunny side of a ridge. | Blasting was required i through a section of rock - bluffs. Unchanged The executive and committee of the club has remained almost unchanged since the club's inception. They are: Patron, Mr J. Stevenson; president, Mr H. Grigg; vicepresidents, Mrs H. Davison, Mr R. Hiatt: club captain, Mr J. Chaffey; secretary, Mr P. . Bush; treasurer, Mr H. Davi- [ son; committee, Mesdames E. . Jones, R. Hiatt. 1. Atkinson. * Messrs G. Dampier Crossley, I. Atkinson, D. Moore, P. ; Davison, R. Gardener. .