AUCKLAND TRAMPING CLUB.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20385, 14 October 1929, Page 12

AUCKLAND TRAMPING CLUB.

INCREASING POPULARITY.

HUT IN WAITAKERE RANGES.

"Tho past year has beon one of good progress for tho club; many new trips have been arranged, and in spite of the unavoidable repetition of the shorter day walks, most of tho fixtures have been very well attended," states the fourth annual report of the Auckland Tramping Club, to bo presented at the annual meeting on October 23.

During tho summer, several week-end trips to the West Coast beaches and to tho Manukau Heads were very successful, but it was sinco the opening of tho ranges hut that a docided impetus had been given to the week-end tramp. At least one trip each month had been organised; they had all proved very popular and would tend to become even inoro so during the summer months. A considerable area of the ranges had thus been traversed by club members for the first tuna j this country would eventually provide many week-end tramps for tho next year, after the various tracks and routes were correctly defined. Of the trips further afield, tho annual visit to tho Xongariro National Park at tho Labour Day week-end was quite up to tho standard of former years and all tho members enjoyed tho visit. A further visit was made at Easter, when threo peaks wore climbed and many points of vantago visited during tho short time at the disposal of tho party. Other club outings were to tho Coromundel Peninsula at Christmas, and to the Waipoua State foiost and the Trounson Kauri Park at Easter. "One of the most milestones in our short history was attained on March 17, when tho club's hut in tho Waitakero Ranges, Navo te lvotare, was officially opened in tho presence of about sixty members and their friends," tho report states. "The hut is tho outcomo of a decision of members at general meeting held in November, 1928. A very good sito was purchased, and a threeroomed wooden building was erected by voluntary help of members during tho following months, the capital cost being defrayed by members who invested in tho property. Tho noed of a hut half-way to tho coast has been amply demonstrated since tho opening date, it having accommodated about 150 persons during the winter months, while the largest number at any one time was 21. Many new trips havo been accomplished which were previously too distant for a single-day trip." The membership of the club now stands at 87, tho number of new members enrolled during the year being 33. Tho balance-sheet shows the club to bo in a satisfactory position, tho balance in tho general fund being £24. Assets are valued at £9O. while there are no direct liabilities. A contingent liability to repay the capital invested in tho hut is still existent, out funds are gradually accumulating, and it is hoped that a sufficient sum to acquire the property will be raised within tho next few years.