RETURN OF SKIERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22847, 30 September 1937, Page 12

RETURN OF SKIERS

STILL MUCH TO LEARN CONDITIONS AT KOSCIUSKO MISS MURPHY'S MISFORTUNE | BY TELKGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] "WELLINGTON, Wednesday Tlio members of the New Zealand ski team, who competed at the Australian national championships at Kosciusko, returned to Wellington today by the Wanganella. "New Zealand has still a lot to learn," said Mr. B. Murphy, commenting on' the team's failure to achieve any outstanding successes. Mr. Murphy said that the New Zealand team was beaton by a narrow margin. The competition was extremely keen and of a high standard. Austrian and American teams attended. New Zealand was very much on a par with Australia, but the standard was still fairly low compared with that of overseas competitors. Apart from the results, the meeting was a wonderful one, courses and the weather splendid, said Mr. Murphy. The sun was frightfully hot and the snow was inclined to become mushy, but its condition was satisfactory when the events took plao». Charlotte Pass Chalet

The ski-ing grounds at Kosciusko were not as accessible as those of New Zealand, but once one arrived there was a bigger area of than in Switzerland. Thu Charlotte Pass Chalet, where the meeting took place, was at a height of 6000 ft". The snow there often attained the level of the chalet roof and lay until .November. The chalet was a remarkable place. It resembled Ball Hut more than anywhere else in New Zealand, but the accommodation was much better. It was a first-class hotel planted up above the snow level, but to get there the entire team was obliged to walk 11 miles, carrying a certain amount of their gear. A tractor that was supposed to take it was broken down and they were faced with the chance of being separated from their baggage for a couple of days. There- was also a dog team, but b had broken down, too.

The members of the team who returned to-day were Mr. Murphy and | his two sisters, Misses P. and J. Murphy, Mrs. A. B. Edwardes, Miss J. M. S. Beale, and Mr. B. W. McMillan. Tailing Flagstaff Hiding her disappointment behind a brave smile, Miss Joan Murphy, New Zealand woman ski champion, broke the news that her trip to Australia to compete in the championships had been in vain. She had not taken part in a single event. On the morning following her arrival at the ski-ing grounds she was struck on the head by a falling flagstaff and spent the rest of the timo in bed. Miss Murphy said she did not even reach the start of the first race. She was standing outside the chalet when the flagstaff was snapped by the wind and fell and struck her on the head. She had to have six stitches in the wound and remained in bed until the day before leaving for home. "Everyono has been asking me why they did not see my name in any of the reports," said Miss Murphy. "I kept any mention of my injury from being made to save my friends and family needless anxiety."