ALPINE GUIDES

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 13, 15 July 1939, Page 25

ALPINE GUIDES

LICENSING PROPOSAL

Here are the names of American

The proposed legislation to provide for compulsory licensing of mountaineering guides as a guarantee of competence was discussed at the annual meeting of the Tararua Tramping Club last night, when consideration was being given to a proposal to change the name of the "chief guide" to "club captain." The sponsors of the motion, of which notice had been given, contended that the change would avoid any complication affecting the club as a result of the proposed legislation.

Moving the motion, Mr. G. B. Wilson said there was no intention to change the status of the chief guide in any way: At the annual meeting of the Federated Mountain Clubs reference was made to proposed Government legislation providing for the licensing of. guides* both amateur and professional, and it was desired to avoid the club being affected by the Act through misconception of the meaning of the title.

The motion was seconded by Mr. W. E. Davidson.

1 Mr. R. B. Gray said he considered the motion to be premature. Merely, to change, the name of the officer would surely- riot get over the difficulty if it was the Government's intention to license guides. It would be necessary to alter the officer's.duties to avpid his being brought under the Act. The speaker said he understood that the Act was the result of the Government's desire to control parties in the high Alps. "Anybody taking a party into the high Alps of New Zealand, whether amateur or professional, should be qualified," said Mr. F. W. Vosseler, "and it is the Government's view that control should be exercised over amateur parties. I don't think parties should be allowed to wander as they like in certain parts of the Southern Alps; I have seen too much incompetency.

"I do think that the Act could be modified so that people who want to take parties into certain areas could make application for a permit. This would avoid a practice that is dangerous and which might possibly prove injurious to' the great game of mountaineering." The whole thing did hang on the one word "guide." and it might be better to anticipate any possible trouble by caiJi^jff the chief guide club captain.

Mr. A. H. Hines said that the guides for club parties were chosen, by the committee, who were more "qualified to select a guide than most Government Departments. If amateur parties went down to the Southern Alps and could not afford a guide they should be allowed to go in. There was no doubt that the name chief suide sounded better in a club such as the Tararua Club.

The motion was heavily defeated on the voices.