LEVIN TRAMPERS MEET

Chronicle (Levin), 25 October 1946, Page 4

LEVIN TRAMPERS MEET

WAIOPEHU IIUT DISCUSSED The'- construction of the new hut on Mt. Waiopehu occupied a considerable amount of time at the Levin-Waiopehu Tramping Club's monthly meeting, held, -this week and attended by some 40 members. The question of the size of the structure was diseussed at length, the meeting fmally agreeing unanimously that it^ should be 25 feet x 15 feet, with wsoden framework and corrugated iron walls and roof. The president (Mr. N. M. Thomson) said the club had always been fortunate in spontaneous offers of help with its projects. Since the club's last meeting Mr. A, L. Edwards had "offered to donate the ridging and spouting required for the hut and give his services free in the plumbing work. Mr. J. D-. Mackie had shown considerable interest in the new hut, and with his sons and other gentlemen had offered to cut all the timber . for the framework from the bu&h near the hut site.- In addition he had indicated his willingness to donate sufficient pinus insignis timber for the sleeping platform. This was very generous assistance indeed, and would save a great deal in carring materials into the hills. A vote of thanks to Mr. Mackie and his sons, and to Mr. Edwards was carried by acclamation. Other Matters Five new members were -proposed and elected to the club. The Federated Mountain Clubs forwarded a report on an accident at Mt. Cook in December, 1945, in which two men, Messrs A. C. Rees and H. R. Lerchental, lost their lives. It stated that the conclusion drawn from this and some previous mountain accidents was that they had been due to lack of experience and impetuosity on the part of some 'guideless c'limbers. The federation pointed out the need for all climbers to make a careful study of the mountains in which they were operating, seek advice on conditions where ver possible and give due weight to such a'dvice, and always allow a wide margin of safety. It was decided to hold a social evening on December 3, the details being left to the social committee.