Dominion Alpine Authorities Meet

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 269, 14 November 1945, Page 2

Dominion Alpine Authorities Meet

For the first time in the history of sport on Mount Egmont the committee of the New Zealand Federation of Mountain Clubs and the New Zealand Ski Council met at Dawson Falls at tho week-end. This was the first occasion since before the war that the Ski Council had met away from Wellington. Before the war meetings were held where New Zealand chamx>ionships were conducted.

Much of the time of the committee meeting was taken up by a report and discussion on snow research and safety measures. Dr. B. Bibby, Wellington, spoke on both subjects and recommended that mountaineering, tramping and skiing clubs should be asked to compile information to ensure greater safety on mountains. Clubs in various alpine districts should submit details of local conditions at vario.us seasons to the federation. Among his recommendations Dr. Bibby urged that full details should be obtained of the particular times when avalanches might be expected, the types of avalanches occurring, information on recognition of avalanche conditions, and advice to alpinists on how to act under such conditions. The committee adopted Dr. Bibby's recommendations and decided that a general warning on alpine dangers be issued to clubs. The appointment by the New Zealand Ski Council of Mr. R. Syme as vicepresident of the Ski Union of Australia and New Zealand was announced at the annual meeting of the council. The union is a new organisation set up within the last two months as the controlling body of the sport in the Southwest Pacific. It was explained at the meeting that the union would -foster inter-Dominion skiing competitions and attempt to join the Ski Union of the Americas, which includes Canada, the United States and South America, in organising competitions. Under the constitution the presidency of the union rotates, and when the president is aw Australian the office of vice-president U filled in New Zealand, and vice versa The first president, it was reported, ta Mr. E. Maloney, Sydney, and Mr. F. H. Drewitt, Wellington, has been appointed official New Zealand representative.

A decision to reintroduce New Zealand championships next year after a war-time recess was made by the council. The next championship meeting will be conducted in August at Mount Cook.

Officers elected were:—Chairman, Mr. R. Syme (Hawera); editor N.Z. Ski Year Book, Mr. G. G. Lockwood (Christchurch); secretary-treasurer, Mr. F. H. Drewitt (Wellington); technical committee, Messrs. B. E. Murphy (Riverlea), Syme, Lockwood and P. W. Young (Timaru); secretary of technical committee, Dr. B. Bibby (Wellington).