CLIMBERS SHOULD SEEK ADVICE OF GUIDES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22657, 7 June 1948, Page 6

CLIMBERS SHOULD SEEK ADVICE OF GUIDES

(PA) WELLINGTON, June 5. "I suggest that before people venture into mountainous regions they should seek advice and utilise the services of the expert guides attached to The Hermitage, Mount Cook,” said the Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr. W. E. Parry, commenting on the remarks of the coroner in his finding on the recent Copland Pass tragedy. So much depended on the fitness or otherwise of those who went in for mountain climbing that it was extremely difficult to provide against all the hazards in the mountam regions, said Mr. Parry. Two years ago a school had been established for training mountain guides who had received expert advice and instruction from two of New Zealand's foremost alpinists. With the recruitment of more people to this school the terrible tragedies that had occurred to mountaineering parties would be minimised. There was considerable difficulty in deciding on a universal standard qualification of guiding, but the Minister said his department was fully aware of the need for assisting mountaineers and would ensure that the maximum assistance possible was given.