TASMAN CHALET

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19525, 26 June 1933, Page 10

TASMAN CHALET

OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONY. LARGE GATHERING OF ENTHUSIASTS. Special to “ The Herald ” THE HERMITAGE, June 24. Overlooking some of the finest glacial scenery in the world, and at present the headquarters of large winter sports parties, the Tasman Chalet, built on the edge of the moraine of the Ball Glacier, fourteen miles from the Hermitage, was opened this afternoon by the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P.) Formerly known as the Ball Hut, the starting place for many outstanding mountain conquests over a long period of years, the Chalet is a marked improvement on the previous building, which has been extended to over twice its original size, and is now equipped with 99 bunks and every modern facility.

The official opening was attended oy over 130 people, opportunity being taken to spend an informal day amongst the snows under beautiful conditions.

Although no races were contested, experienced ski-iers gave exhibitions on a fast downhill slope, and a large crowd of novices took their first steps. Mr R. L. Wigley, manager of the Mt. Cook Company, expressed pleasure at seeing so many present to make the function a success. Skiing, he said, had gone ahead so fast of late that the Company had to do something to provide more accommodation. “I predict that this will be the centre of skiing in the Dominion in future, as we have the country, the snow, and the facilities,” said Mr Wigley. Many wellknown authorities had visited the rrea, and Mr T. Mitchell, a celebrated Australian who skied all the year round in different parts of the world, had said that the downhill run was the finest in the world. Mr Wigley was of opinion that the South Island was not getting its fair share of the tourist traffic of the Dominion, and although a certain amount of credit was due t.o certain organisations, the South Island generally, should wake up and form a strong organisation which would give the scenic beauties the increased traffic they warranted. Mr Wigley welcomed Mr D. G. Sullivan, and apologised for the Hon. A. Hamilton, who had been first asked to perform the opening ceremony.

Mr Sullivan complimented Mr Wigley and the Company on the enterprise shown in extending and reconstructing the Ball Hut. The additional accommodation would facilitate an increase in the popularity of the fascinating sport of skiing, which was rapidly gaining in popularity. Much of the attention given to the sports was a result of the continuous and courageous efforts of the Company, which had obstinately refused to accept the prevailing depression as a just cause for a falling off in business, but had carried on in a manner that should set an excellent example to the controllers of* other forms of business. “I have not had the opportunity of going to Switzerland and other countries that attract many thousands of tourists, though I have been in a number of other countries, but I am sure, and scores of experienced visitors have confirmed me in the conclusion, that the South Island has been endowed with scenic gifts unrivalled by any other country in the world,” said Mr Sullivan. He would like to see this country redoubling its efforts to increase the tourist traffic, particularly in the South Island. Particularly would he like to see a scheme worked out which Y'ould make it easier for large numbers of New Zealanders to see the wonders of their own country. Several countries in Europe had evolved such schemes. The working people in nearly all occupations in those countries received regular paid holidays, and funds were built up to enable them to visit the various scenic resorts. The funds were contributed to by the Government, and by the body of employers. Sooner or later in the Dominion some such scheme should be evolved and the sooner the better. He thought there was a good deal of truth in Mr Wigley’s point of view, that the people of the South Island did not fully appreciate the wonders of their country, or realise what assets it possessed. Among the most interesting scenic areas of the country, and indeed of the world, was the Mount Cook region, with its glorious scenery and unrivalled facilities for mountain sport, and he hoped that a competent South Island organisation would be formed for the purpose of making the wonders of the Mount Cook area and the Southern Lakes v known better to the world. Referring to the new Chalet, Mr Sullivan said that the first Ball Hut was erected in the vicinity of 1891, and vast tljrongs of people had taken advantage of its shelter, including such keen mountaineers as the late Sir John Findlay, the late Sir William Sim, and Sir Alexander Herdman. It was the starting place for the first ascent of Mount Cook by the Rev. Mr Green, and had housed other personalities whose names were indelibly printed in the pages of mountaineering. The New Chalet. The improved facilities which are embodied in the new Chalet will be welcomed by mountaineers. On many occasions, when large parties visited the Tasman Glacier, the old Ball Hut was and it was impossible to accommodate more than about 40 over-night. In the new Chalet, however. upwards of 150 people will be able to spend any length of time in the glacier region. The Chalet has an over-all length of 104 feet, the new portion being 43 feet in length. Alterations had. of necessity, to be made to the old Ball Hut. the main one being the enlarging of the dinina room, which can now accommodate fifty people at one sitting. The ladies’ accommodation is still in this building, the number of bunks having been increased forty. New quarters for the caretaker have been built, and the kitchen has been enlarged. A storeroom has been added at the back, also a ladies’ clothes store.

In the new portion of the Chalet are the men’s quarters, which consist of two rooms, each containing 24 bunks. Adjacent is a committee room, containing nine bunks, and a staff room, also with nine bunks. Clothes rails run along the centre of the men’s quarters to facilitate the drying of clothes. Double windows have been built into the new portion so as to command a better view of the glacier region. Below the men’s quarters are the ski-room and drying room, both of which are spacious. Ski-racks have also been provided, and these are numbered. so that each person can keep track of his own skis. Provision has also been made in this department for the storage of 6000 gallons of water. A stone platform has been built > in front of the Chalet, the general appearance and comfort of which was freely commented on by visitors. SNOW AT MT. COOK REGION. TEN INCHES AT CHALET. Special to ” The Herald “ THE HERMITAGE. June 25. Between three and four inches of snow fell at the Hcrmjtage on Sun-

day, and this prevented parties visiting the Chalet. Large crowds enjoyed skiing in the vicinity of The Hermitage, several beginners receiving good experience. A party of 27 returned from the Chalet this evening, and accommodation is now fully taxed. They teported that ten inches of snow had fallen at the Chalet since the early hours of the morning. At The Hermitage in the evening a fancy dress function was held, while during an interval Mr D. G. Sullivan (Mayor of Christchurch), and Mr G. J. Errington, president of the Otago Expansion League, referred to the urgent necessity for the formation of a strong South Island organisation, and a united effort to promote tourist traffic | in the south generally.