MOUNTAINEERING CLUBS

Taranaki Daily News, 29 March 1932, Page 8

MOUNTAINEERING CLUBS

FEDERATION’S GOOD WORK.

DETAILS OF HUTS AND TRACKS.

The useful work performed by the Federated Mountain Clubs of New Zealand is the subject of an article in the current number of “Alpineisport,” the official organ of the Alpine. Sporte ®lub, Auckland. The fact that the federation was generally accepted is shown by the statement that it embraces every important mountaineering, tramping and winter sports club in New Zealand, with one exception. ■ . “For many years past mountaineering and tramping clubs have had to make their way as best they could,” states the report, “and any neglect or imposition on the part of Government departments or private concerns had to be endured. Individual clubs found great difficulty in having their grievances redressed, and it was heartbreaking for those who had worked hard keeping huts and tracks in order to see their efforts go for naught because a broken bridge or a dilapidated hut would not be repaired by the proper authority. Very few clubs in New Zealand show a big surplus on their bal-ance-sheets and expensive repairs and erections could not be entertained.. “It was left for Mr. A. P. Harper, the president of the New Zealand Alpine Club, to call a conference of delegates from a number of similar clubs in Ney Zealand for the purpose of combining in order that in matters of common inter-

est they could show a united front. This conference was held late in 1930, and early in 1031 the Federated Mountain Clubs of New Zealand came irito being. The main object of the federation is cohesion between the clubs concerned and the collection of •information and data that may-prove of use to members. “Several sub-committees were set up and are doing good work in their own spheres. To instance one, a sub-com-mittee is at present collecting all obtainable details of every hut in the Dominion. Such details when complete will enable members contemplating trips to write for and obtain fairly accurate information as to what equipment should be taken when visiting certain localities and what facilities they may expect to find in the huts there. The same work is being done regarding tracks and transport. Of course, collecting such data is a long job and it will be some time before all the huts and tracks in New Zealand are properly logged. “Another example of the value of combined action is evidenced by the case of certain huts in the South Island that had fallen into disrepair. Upon representation from the federation, one hut has. already been repaired, and expenditure on the other authorised.”