PRACTICAL SYMPATHY

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 29 March 1935, Page 11

PRACTICAL SYMPATHY

DAMAGE AT DAWSON FALLS EGMONT ALPINE CLUB. OFFER. THREE LOANS- EREE. OE INTEREST.

As a practical gesture of sympathy with the South Committee of the Egmoiit National Park Board in the loss it has sustained through the partial demolition of the new, hydro-electric plant at Dawson, Falls, the Egmc-nt Alpine Club at its annual meeting in Haiyera, last- night decided to- oftcrportion of its accumulated reserves up to £IOO on loan for the purpose of facilitating immediate repairs. The damage caused bv Tuesday uiglit s disastrous flood iri the Kftpuni River was discussed briefly, the members sympathising with the South Commitfee in its loss- so soon after the completion of its electrification scheme. It was mentioned by. the club president, (Air L. O. Hooker) that the committee had expended practically, the whole of its reserve capital - in an endeavour to bring Dawson Falls up-to-date with modern electrical equipment. As a result of what had occurred. it now found itself in a somewhat difficult positionFollowing torrential rain, the Kapuni River on Tuesday*, night rose suddenly to a height of 14 feet above normal! The pipe line to the power- house was snapped off at; the couplings- and the concrete foundations were carried away by the terrific force of the floodwaters and the heavy pounding of huge, rocks. While fortunately the plant remained intact, the cast of repairing the structural damage was. estimated at £.200. Members expressed sympathy with the committee and on the motion of Mr R; Syme (Huh. captain), seconded by Mr D: C. . Ryan, it was resolved that a letter; be forwarded embodying this- sentiment.

Mr .Hi Snowdon suggested that possibly Ihe club could express its .sympathy in . a more practical manner and he "moved that of the. accumulated reserves totalling £146 at- present on deposit, the sum of £IOO free of interest he offered to the South Committee towards- the cost of the repairs. The motion was .seconded by Mr P. Bourlce, who remarked that the gesture, coming as. it- did from a club whose, interests were closely, allied with those of the South Committee, would be all the more appreciated. It would demonstrate also that the club was sincere in its appreei at ion of all that the South Committee had done in the past to provide suitable accommodation at Dawson Falls for the. meinbers, besides improving the mountain trades and the slci grounds. The motion was carried unanimouslv.

“That is a fine- gesture on the part of the members present,” said Mr Hooker, “and 1 am sure the South Committee will, be most- grateful for the encouragement given.” Mr Hooker said that power and light would be temporarily restored as the result of the action of Mr E. L. Abbott (Kaponga) in lending an engine, which would be coupled with the generator to provide power. The damage, though serious, was not so extensive as at first reported. The power house, though damaged, had riot been completely washed away. Several members were enthusiastic in support of the proposal and referred to the improvements made at Dawson Falls and in other portions of its area by the South Committee. Mr Hooker intimated that if the money was required .urgently lie, would add the sum of £IOO to that offered by the club on the same terms.

Later, Mr E. Greenaway intimated to the chairman that ho would offer the sum of. £SO, also free of interest, Between: 30 and 40 members attended the meeting-and a number of apologies for unavoidable absence were received. The following new members: were elected: Messrs. D. Lee, F. Osman, .T. Graham, G. Brown and C. Jones, Misses V. Jones, F. Greenaway and M. Stone. There were five resignations which were accepted with regret. In moving the adoption of the annual report (already published in the “Hawera Star”) the chairman referred to the satisfactory state of the club’s, finances as disclosed- by the balancesheet. The year had been a most enjoyable one both socially and in active mountain work. Members had been most enthusiastic and those who could not participate in climbs and tramps had derived much pleasure frpm the socials held regularly throughout the winter months. In seconding the motion Mr Byan sajd that the president’s report dealt very fully with every branch of the chib’s activities. The club was fortunate in possessing leaders of the calibre of Mr Hooker and Mr Syme and it was hoped that they would be available for many years to come to carry on their good work. The report and balance r sheet were adopted. Officers for the ensuing year, were elected as follow: Ration, Mr W. G. Walkley; president, Air. L. O. Hooker ; vice-presidents, Dr. A\ r . F- Buist, Messrs. J. AV. Palmer, L. V. Bryant, G. Afadgwick and-H. 81. Kemp; club captain, Mr R„ Syme; vice-captain, Air H. Snowdon; chief guide, Air H. N. Murray; honorary secretary, Air LO. Hooker; honorary treasurer, Mr T. F. McKenzie; honoary auditor, Air A. K. Fyson; general committee, Misses E. Buist, D. Clement, At. Hurre.ll, A. Shannon and H, Carson, Alessrs. A. Snowdon, F. Greenaway, F. Bonrke, C. Dingle, V. Tisdall, D>. G. Ryan and H. Roberts; programme committee, Messrs. Syme, Ryan, Murray and B. Haybittle; social committee, Alisses E. Buist, D. Clement, M. Hurrell, R. Duff, NL Adams and H. Carson, Alessrs. T. Lav, Q. Dingle, S. F. Prosser, E. Collins, F. Bourlce and B. Haybittle; delegates to the Federation of New Zealand Alpine Clubs, Messrs. R„ Svme and I/. O. Hooker.

The opportunity was taken by the chairman of referring to Mr Syme’s recent achievement on December 9 last of his I.ooth ascent of Mount Egniont. On behalf of the members lie asked Air Syme to accept a memento of the event in the form of a framed photograph taken on t]ie summit. Air Syme accepted the gift and briefly returned’ thanks. Congratulations were extended to

Mr Bryant on his election to the. Alpine dub (England) ami on his mountaineering achievements in Switzerland during; the past season. Votes of thanks were passed to the committees, the Press, to Mr Hooker as secretary and publicity officer, to Mr. Syme as club, captain, to Mr J. P. Murphy, for many kindnesses at Dawson Falls and Mrs Murphy, and to outgoing members of the committee who did not seek re-election. A vote of thanks to Mr Hooker for his donation of an extra room at the hut on the ski ground also was passed. Appreciation was expressed of the services rendered to the club, by Miss X. Reid who was made the recipient of an honorarium. Several, early photographs of Mount Egmont were presented to the club by Mi ss Smith and accepted with thanks. At the conclusion of the meeting supper was served by the ladies. It was announced that a working bee would, be held en the mountain next Sunday with free transport and no park fees for club members and their friends who may, care to make the trip.