PRESERVING PARKS

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 194, 14 May 1936, Page 2

PRESERVING PARKS

• Work of the Federated iv Mountain Clubs Particular attention has been paid by the Federated Mountain Clubs of New Zealand during the past year to -the preservation of the national parks, and comprehensive details of their work are contained in the fifth annual report which is to be presented at the annual meeting on Saturday. The report stares that in February of this year a deputation waited on the Government and placed before it a comprehensive statement of the federation's policy on these and other matters, and the committee looks forward hopefully to the ultimate success of its representations. The deputation also requested the Government to bring the Mountain Guides Act into operation, and indications are that this request will be granted in the near future. Besides dealing with the Tongarir'o National Park at the deputation, the committee has had occasion throughout the year to approach the Tourist Department on the following matters: Guiding, warning notices, Waihohonu Hut, hints on climbing, maps, first-aid and the extension of the park. All the representations have been well received, and in many cases the requests were granted. A simple system of distress signals covering ground and air searches, has been finalised and circularised to clubs, which are requested to see that these signals are brought before the notice of all members. Apart from the .Mountain Guides Act, the committee has dealt with complaints as to the methods of guiding at the Egmont and Tongariro National Parks. An objection to solo work be- , ing undertaken by guides has been for- ’ warded to controllers of various mountain resorts. Clubs have also been asked to convey to members the federation’s condemnation of the practice of solo climbing in alpine regions and solo tramping in rough bush country.