Reconstruction Of Ohau Hut Has Made It Best In Western Tararuas

Chronicle (Levin), 17 November 1949, Page 7

Reconstruction Of Ohau Hut Has Made It Best In Western Tararuas

The industry and enterprise of the Levin-Walopehu Tramping Club members in reconstructing and enlarging the Ohau Hut has given them the largest and most comfortable hut in the western Tararuas. The work has been proceeding during the past six months.

With the increasing visiting this trampers and others visiting this part of the Tararuas in recent years, many large parties have found that the existing hut could not accommodate all, and on some oecasions lents have been erected to meet the situation. Having a desire to enlarge the hut, -the club set about the job ■ with little material on hand. In the meantime many generous donors have contributed practical- ' ly all the timber, iron and win- 1 dows required. A great deal of enthusiasm and energy was dis- , played by members, who made . many trips carrying the materials 1

from the Pipe Bridge in addition to the construetion work. Modern Fittings. With an interior measurement of 23ft. by 16ft., a full width sleeping platform is provided under which firewood is stored. The fireplace and « surround is constructed of concrete and a large sink bench, sink and water supply complete the interior fittings. Wire-netting and building paper cover the whole t structure and six windows give ample lighting. In addition to the main building, a 6ft. by 6ft. entry porch has been added over the doorway and in this oilslpns and paclcs can be hung when large parties use the hut. A pleasing feature is the excellent views obtained from within of the- opposing bush-clad slopes bordering the Ohau River to the north. In keeping with the club's South Ohau Hut, the exterior has a tangerine flnish hlended with green facings, and this makes a most striking scene when first viewea from the approacihing track some distance away. Nature could not have provided a more beautiful hu siLe, situated as it is on a large level terrace at the junction oi the Ohau and Ohau-iti (Black-

water) Rivers, where tree ferns, scrub and bus'h make up an impressive surroundiing. The First Hut. In the year 1929, the LevinWaiopehu Tramping Club (founded on Ma.y 11, 1927) decided to open up a track on the right bank of the Ohau River, to be followed with the erection of a 'hut at the river junction. Two pioneer members; "Messrs W. Ransom and G. C. France-, supervised the hut construetion and laid the piles early in 1930/ and shortly afterwards the building was completed and opened. Having a stone firepl&be and a

neat verandah attached, this little 'hut, whioh measured 16ft. by 8ft., proved to be most useful to many trampers and deerstalkers. In addition to this work, a swing bridge was erected over the Ohau-iti Stream to give easy ac'cess during time of flood. In later years this bridge was wash- ; ed away and a large rimu was. ^ felled across the stream, making an alternative bridge which is still used at the .present time. : During Fehruary, 1936, a de- : vastating south- easterly gale swept over most of the Taratruas, and this was responsible for wrecking 'ooth the club's huts (Ohau afid Waiopehu) in addition to blockihg ,jhe tracks. However, in b®e%f!brt': space of eight ■ months, the club had re-opened the Ohau Track j and re-erected the hut. at. the same locality. Similar - to the previous structure, its size was increased to 16ft. by 12ft. and was made up of flat iron attached to ' a sapling frameWork. An iroh fireplace was built and two windows provided the lighting. With a, little maintenanee .work periodically' this hut has served the needs of trampers, deer cullers, stalkers and trappers alike over many years until its recent renovation.