TAIHAPE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 251, 22 October 1937, Page 12

TAIHAPE

TAIHAPE ALPINE CLUB One of the most enjoyable day's outings since the formation of the Taihape Alpine Club, formerly known as the Tongariro Tramping Club, took place on Sunday, when 22 members set out by bus from Taihape for Moawhango, which was the starting point for a five or six-mile tramp across country to some limestone caves at the back of Mr S. V. Burridge’s property. These caves were discovered some years ago together with a quantity of moa bones in the same localitl, although few people have since availed themselves of the opportunity to viist this picturesque spot. The weather was delightfully fine and warm, in fact too warm for some, and the ever-changing panorama en route was seen to advantage in the bright sunshine. There is a gradual climb all the way, the actual destination being approximately 1000 feet higher than Moawhango itself, making ta total altitude of just under 3000 feet above sea level. Trampers were surprised to be able to get a bird’s eye view from a point near the caves of the township of Moawhango, some live miles away.

The inspection of the caves created a great deal of interest both from the beauty of the limestone formation and from the novelty of going some distance underground. Each member of the party carried an electric torch and kept it going until somebody discovered a few glow worms and demanded darkness. But the glow worms proved rather scarce and all hopes of discovering a rival cave to the one of Waitomo were doomed. Although not to be compared with the big caves at Waitomo the one at Moawhango is certainly a very fine miniature and contains a splendid array of stalactites and stalagmies. The latter, however, which represent the formation on the floor of the cave, were not so well formed as the former, showing, possibly, that the caves are not of such great age as the caves in the northern King Country. The party later entered the cave where the moa bones (now housed at Logan's boarding-house at Moawhango) were discovered and many entered with zest in a search for more. Beyond locating a few small pieces of bone, which compared favourably with the specimens at the boarding-house, the search was not a great success.

The journey home was made in good time and proved equally as enjoyable as the outward journey. The leader of the party for the day was Miss 800 Smith, assisted by Miss Jane Bailey, both of whom were quite familiar with the route. The country was fairly easy, but there was no well defined route to the caves, and on the return trip a certain group of trampers, who, incidentally should have known better, became temporarily “lost” but they soon funod themselves, the incident causing no anxiety to the rest of the party. Nobody seemed fatigued at the end on the day, due chiefly to the fact that most of the personal impediments were carried on a pack horse kindly loaned by Mr Bailey. MAGISTRATE’S COURT The monthly sitting of the Taihape Magistrate’s Court was held before Mr R. M. Watson, S.M., yesY'rday. Leonard Arthur NeedlLT.i was charged that he did, without Jawful authority, kill one cock pheasant, being classed as imported game. Mr W. 11. Maclean appeared for the defendant, and said that his client was not in the habit of shooting game out of season or illegally. Needham was out in his car with a gun rabbit shooting, and tired at a brown moving object, which he thought was a rabbit, but which proved upon investigation, to be a pheasant. It was concealed behind some grass, and defendant was very surprised to learn that it was a pheasant that he had shot, and not a rabbit. The man who informed the police was satisiied that defendant had made a genuine mistake. Needham was returning to Taihape from a painting job at the time, and one of the passengers in the car said that he did not know what defendant was shooting at, as the object was almost obscured. Sergeant Mcßae: A man discharging a firearm should be quite certain what he is shooting at. Defendant admitted that he had a pheasant in his car when questioned by Constable Beaton.

The magistrate accepted defendant’s explanation that a genuine mistake had been made, and pointed out that there wore special circumstances connected with the case. The maximum penalty for an offence of the nature indicated, was a line of £25. but in view of the extenuating circumstances he would impose a fine of £1 and costs. On a second charge of discharging a lirearm in a public place, Needham was lined lUs and costs. William Walker faced a charge of being found on the licensed premises of the New Taihape Hotel after hours. Sergeant Mcßae conducted the prosecution for the police, and said that accused had made several false statements regarding his identity and had given the police a good deal ol trouble. A fine of 49s and, costs 10s, was imposed. The borough traffic inspector (Mr J. M. Scott) proceeded against the following defendants for parking their cars over a lire-plug: W. A. Evans, S. J. Karam, P. B. Luxi'ord, R. H. Lowry, Jane Alice Mason. The first two defendants, Evans and Karam, were ordered to pay costs 20s 6d. Evans explained by letter that he was a visitor to Taihape and was unfamiliar vvitn the fire-plugs. Karam stated in a letter that he was unaware that prosecutions were instituted for this class of offence, and added that his car was two feet clear of the plug, though he admitted it was parked in the "marked off” area. Luxlord also explained by letter that he parked his car at night and didn’t see the lire-plug. The Trailic Inspector: The plugs are painted orange and white in addition to being marked off, and should be easily seen. Luxford, Lowry and Mason were' each lined 10s and costs.

Edward Robert Skipp was lined 10s and costs 10s, for riding a cycle on the footpath. Tiie traffic inspector (Mr Scott) said that this class of offence was common in Taihape, and this was not the first time that Skipp had ridden on the footpath. The following were fined varying amounts for allowing stock to wander at large in the borough: J. Baird, V. E. Capill, A. McGinniss, E. O’Keefe, and S. Rae. James Casey was ordered to pay costs only. The Borough Conn-

cil prosecuted in each case through its solicitor, Mr W. H. Maclean. The poundkeeper (Mr B. C. Marchioni) gave evidence in each instance. THE MAJESTIC “TALL TIMBERS” The amazing climax of “Tall Timbers,” which opens to-night at the Majestic, revolves around a giant timber drive—the most hazardous and dangerous undertaking yet. attempted in Australian productions. Fifty acres of giant trees were to crash into the valley below, and the men went unhesitatingly into the area of the drive to perform their various duties, whilst all about them were trees on the verge of falling, or actually crashing. The country was very rough, so it was diliicult to move with speed, and the danger of being caught by a falling tree was ever present In addition to courage, the endurance and good humour of the men was remarkable, especially when the danger through which they were moving was increased a hundredfold as a strong wind sprang up, swaying the half-cut trees alarmingly. But although a

doctor was posted close by the danger zone he was only called upon to dress minor abrasions, and these men have now forgotten their gruelling experiences during the making of “Tall Timbers” and are ready for their next test. But Director Ken G. Hall has not forgotten the work of the men behind the scenes of ‘‘Tall Timbers” that will soon be thrilling audiences the world over. And so to these "flitters with death” we take off our hats and say "Congratulations, and may good luck be with you in your future ventures. You have proven yourselves ‘Tough Tihmers.’ ”