Climbing Ban Not Favoured

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31109, 12 July 1966, Page 1

Climbing Ban Not Favoured

A suggestion by Cr. W. N. Murchison that the council should ask the Federated Mountain Clubs or the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr Sea th) to ban winter climbing was not supported at yesterday’s meeting of the Malvern County Council.

Referring to the Mount Rolleston tragedy, in which five men died, Cr. Murchison said: “1 don’t think anyone should have been climbing there at the time .though I have no doubt that they were experienced mountaineers.”

If possible, he said the council should do something about

“Isn’t there a difference of opinion?” asked Cr. W. R. Oliver. He said he had heard that the Arthurs Pass area was safe for climbing at this time of the year, and that it was a good training ground.

Cr. C. C. Innes said the newspapers had reported that climbing conditions were nearly perfect. “Only for that week-end," said Cr. Murchison. “Under the conditions, the time of year, they should never have been there. Conditions can change in a matter of hours.” Cr. H. H. Deans said it would be reasonable to ask

for careful supervision of winter climbing, perhaps in specified areas. “How would you police it and punish people?” asked Cr. W J. Logan. “Any amount of people die in the mountains in summer.” Cr. A. D. Worsfold said that no one should be penalised. There were men who devoted their time to the safety of learners. While the tragedy was most unfortunate, the council should not try to deprive people of their sport. Tractor and car accidents might not be a good parallel, but there was no suggestion to do away with cars and tractors, said Cr. M. R. Voice. Where did one stop? “You can’t stop young people taking risks, and the council should not take sides,” said Mr Oliver. The worst feature of the tragedies was that others had to go out on rescue operations, said Cr. Voice. The discussion lapsed.