Mountain Safety Council Wants Grant Restored

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31498, 12 October 1967, Page 6

Mountain Safety Council Wants Grant Restored

The National Mountain Safety Council at its half-yearly meeting decided to prepare a case to present to the Golden Kiwi Board of Control for restoration of its annual grant to $20,000. When the council’* formation was authorised by the Minister of Internal Affairs two years ago, it was promisefi $20,000 a year for three years. In the second year this was substantially reduced, the drop in the ease of mountain safety being 25 per cent. After considering a financial statement and estimates presented by its management committee, the council agreed that the maximum need for expenditure would occur in the third year of its programme.

In its first year the campaign had concentrated on bringing together recognised experts from all organisations representing recreational and sporting use of the bush and mountain country, to get agreement on the best techniques In bushcraft, rivercrossing, rope - handling, climbing on rock, snow and ice, and the handling of firearms.

A series of conferences and much committee work had brought many subjects to a stage at which production of

instructional material manuals, films and training aids —could begin. Adequate stocks of training equipment had been obtained and depots established.

The only substantial publication completed so far, the management committee reported, was one film on rock climbing. However, several other substantial projects had been brought to the stage where heavy production payments would be required. These include films on snow - craft, exposure, safe hunting and safety with firearms, and manuals on bushcraft, mountaincraft and safety with firearms.

Re: onal mountain safety committees, it was reported, had been established in eight areas. Others were approaching formation and all would be entitled to subsidies from the central organisation.