SNOW AT RUAPEHU

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22509, 28 August 1936, Page 14

SNOW AT RUAPEHU

SPOKTS POSTPONED BETTER CONDITIONS LIKELY SKMNG CHAMPIONSHIPS [BY TELEGRArFI —SPECIAL REPORTER] THE CHATEAU, Thursday Snow which has been eagerly awaited at National Park for a considerable time fell steadily on Mount Ruapehu to-day, and, although it necessitated a postponement of the New Zealand ski championship, it gave promise of much better conditions for the remainder of the meeting than had been hoped for. The fall started on the higher levels during the night, and this morning a steady fall began even below tho Chateau. Visibility .on Scoria Flat was so poor that a continuation of the championship programme was out of tho question, but, nevertheless, a large number of enthusiasts visited tho skiing grounds about Salt Hut and the Ruapehu Ski Club's Glacier Hut and enjoyed good sport in the soft new snow. There was at least 6in. of fresh snow on Scoria Flat this afternoon. It was much deeper on tho higher levels and in sheltered spots. The country between tho Chateau and Scoria Flat, which has been almost bare, is again well covered and the beech forest has assumed a beautiful appearance, the trees being laden with snow. The road up tho mountain has a fair covering of snow, but it quite practicable for motor vehicles. The roads below the Chateau are clear. The golf course has a smooth white mantle. Snow is still falling this evening, but there were signs of clearing toward sunset. Given fine weather, excellent conditions should now bo experienced for the sports. PAN-PACIFIC MEETINGS SKI COUNCIL FAVOURS SCHEME [BY TELEGRAPH—SPECIAL REPORTER] THE CHATEAU, Thursday A step toward tho realisation of the plan of Mr. T. W. Mitchell, the noted Australian skier, for the inauguration of Pan-Pacific ski meetings, was made to-night bv tho approval at the annual meeting of delegates to the Ski Council of the Federated Mountain Clubs of New Zealand of a suggestion by him that efforts be made to get a team of Americans in addition to an Australian team to visit New Zealand in 1938 for an international competition. He also gave details of arrangements which will greatly assist the visit of a New Zealand team to Australia next year. The chairman, Mr. F. W. Vosseler, presided over a largo of delegates from nearly all parts of New Zealand. Australia could very rarely send skiers to compete in Europe, Mr. Mitchell said, and might shortly turn its attention away from that sphere. Tho present ski meeting and the hoped-for contest in Australia with New Zealand next year would open up tho Pacific as an alternative. It had taken four years to get these meetings under way. He would now like to see them aim definitely at having, in two years' time, an international meeting in New Zealand between the Dominion, Australia and the United States. He did not think it practicable for Japanese to come at present, on the score of expense. , Mr. Mitchell suggested that the view of the Tourist Department be sought and that inquiries then be made in the United States. The meeting endorsed the proposal and decided to do everything possible to support it. It was suggested that Canada and other countries might also be approached. Mr. Mitchell read a, cablegram he had received from the New South Wales Government Tourist Bureau, offering to accommodate a team of eight Zealand skiers at Hotel Kosciusko or the Chalet for 10 days frfe of charge next year. He issued an official invitation for a team to visit Australia and expressed his sincere hopes that a New Zealand team would be ,ablo to attend. It was decided to make every effort. A decision to hold the next New Zealand, championship meeting at Mount Cook was made, and the following were elected to the five elective seats on the council: —Messrs. R. Syme, G. D. G; Plummer, R. B. Gray, H. A. Smerdon and E. C. A. Ferrier.