ALPINE CLUB.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 20 March 1928, Page 4

ALPINE CLUB.

AN ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING-. , 131 ACTIVE MEMBERS ELECTED. ! An. unexpectedly large and- entkusi- ' astic meeting of about 80 people was- ; held at the Borough Chambers last i night to discuss the proposal to form an Alpine Club. Mr. Walkley, chairman of the South Taranaki Park Board, was voted to the chair. Mr. Rod Syme, the convenor, brieflyexplained that the main objects and aims of such a club would be: Firstly, to provide facilities necessary for the enjoyment of climbing and tramping; secondly, to assist in the opening up of new" walks, etc., on the mountain, such as the tracks to Bell’s Falls and 1 Dive’s Lake, which are practically inaccessible at present; and, thirdly, to build a hut on Fantham’s Peak, where there is a ski-ing ground second: to none in New Zealand. This- was 'perhaps the most important factor at •present, and was regarded as essential for the promotion of winter sports. ' Mr. Walkley then put a motion to the meeting that a mountain club should be formed. Mr. A. W. Lawn seconded the motion, which was car- . ried unanimously.’ The question of a name for the club was discussed, and finally it was resolved on the motion of Mr. W. A. Spragsc. seconded 'by Mr. F. Foden, that the club lie called the “Mount Egmont Alpine Club.” ELECTION OF OFFICERS. 1 The following officers were elected: Patron, Mr. H. G. Dickie, M.P.; .president, Mr. W. G. Walkley; vioei presidents, Mr. F. W. Vosseler, of the Tararua Tramping Club, Hon. 0. J. 'Hawken, M.P., Mr. B. C. Lysaght, Messrs. F. C. Foden, T. B. Merson, | (Kaponga), A. K. North, W. A. ' Spragg, L. O. Hooker*, H. W. Swim- : burn; club captain, Mr. Rod. Syme; | vice-captains, Messrs. B. Haybittle and H. Murray; chief guide, Mr. J. IP. Murphy; secretary and treasurer, Mr. T. F. McKenzie; auditor, Mr. E. J. ‘lnsull; publicity officer, Mr. L. 0. ' Hooker; committee (it was decided that there should lie 12 members, throe being ladies and: 'four or five being representatives from towns other than Hawera); the following were duly elected-: Misses I. McClure, D. Hawken, Mrs. Bates (Kaponga), Messrs. A.- W. Lawn, E. Palmer, D. Ryan, R. C. Sage, J. Buckeridge, G. Cook (Kaponga), M. Hughson (Opunake), G. Fcokes (Stratford), B. Rawson (M-anaia). | The committee, with the other officers ex officio were asked to go into the matter of incorporating the club land to draw up rules and regulations I for the consideration of members, j The question of subscription was discussed at length, Mr. Syme finally : moving that it should be 12s fid for ithe men, 7s 6d for ladies, and 5s for junior members' (under 18). This was carried. A motion to elect honorary members at a subscription of 10s was adopted. j The Bank of Australasia: were appointed bankers, the chairman and secretary to operate on same. i ELECTION OF MEMBERS.

i All those present were elected memj ber.s, in addition to others who had given in their names to the convenor , but were unable to he present. AlI together 131 active members were ! elected, a. large number being from I towns other than Hawera. Some of I those elected were from places as far .distant as Auckland and Dunedin. | THE BOARD’S ASSISTANCE. I The chairman (Mr. Walkley), as a member of the southern committee of the Park Board, assured the club that the board would give their .support and co-operation in every possible way, and lie hoped that the club wouldi in "turn do its best to co-operate with, the board. A grant of £so(> had been applied for from the Government for 1 use on the road to Dawson Falls, for opening up new tracks on mountain, and for maintenance of those tracks already established. The matter of helping the club to erect a hut at Fantham’s Peak would receive _ their immediate attention. The chairman also expressed pleasure at the keen enthusiasm shown by those present.. It was almost phenomenal to see so large a. gathering for the inaugural meeting of such an organsaton. The committee then held a. short meeting. The following were appoint;ed to go into the matter of drawing iup a provisional set of rules and l regulations : Messrs. Rod. Syme, W. A. Spragg, W. G. Walkley, B. Haybittle, G. J. Bayley. Miss I. McClure. An initial trip to the mountain was ' arranged for Sunday, April 1, when the next meeting of the club would take place on Fantham’s Peak at 1 ' p.m. An invitation is to he sent to the members of the Tnrania Tramping Club, of Wellington, and to the 'membens of Ruapehu Sid Club at Wanganui to attend this expedition. ,

A committee comprising Messrs. Rod. Syme, H. ’Murray, B. Rawson, H. W. Swinburn, L. O. Hooker, and, Miss McClure was appointed to draw up programmes for expeditions for the next three month-s. These expeditions will take place every three weeks.'