TARARUA TRAMPING CLUB

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 8, 5 October 1920, Page 8

TARARUA TRAMPING CLUB

BAELY HISTORY OF THE RANGE. The members of the Tararua Tramping Club held a social reunion in_ the Dominion Farmers' Institute last night. Mr. W. H. Field, M.P., presided, and thoro iras a very good attendance. The chairman welcomed those present, and hoped that tliero would ba many 6ucli social gatherings in tho future. He thought tho club would liaye a great educational value in inculcating a love cf nature Among young people. Mr. Field gave a short address on the early history of the Tararua6. It was 6ai*l that the Maoris crossed "ine Tararuas from the Manawatu to tho Wairarapa and vice versa. The next people who explored the range were the early surveyors, who planted a trig sta,tion on Mount Hector. Then came the idea of constructing a track from Greytown to Otaki, and in furtherance of tins two men explored the range in ISOG. Again in 1808 a party got as far as Mount Alpha and finally to Otaki, tho journey talcing three or four days. < In January, 1910, a party of pressmen were personally conducted by the chairman from Otaki to Mount fleotor. There were quite a.number of efforts made to explore tho ranges from then onwards, but it was not until early dn 1912 that Mr. Field, with three or four others, cross?; 1 over successfully from Otaki to Greytown. The tramp began to interest tho public, and in 1913 three ladies '.me taken to Mount Heotor and back l'rom Otaki. The late Mr. H. Girdleston, F.R.G.S., a well-knorfn surveyor, later surveyed the route, made a plan, end helped more than anj-one to popularise the tramp. Mr. Field also referred to the excellent work done by Mr. F. Vosseler, and spoke of tho trip made by Miss Louise Muck. It was a memorable trip, for although Miss Mack did not tramp the whole way Miss Knox did 60, and was the first lady to cross the laiige from the Manawatu to the Wairarapa. He expressed tho opinion that before (ho summer is over_ the track would te definitely fixed, with huts at 6uitablo intervals, and a bridge over the T:iuhereliikau. He believed that in the near future, and in tho summer time, there would be hundreds crossing the It was a furious tramp, with beautiful river and Lush scenery. Mr. F. Vosseler gave a sliort address on the equipment, etc., for a tramp over tho Tararuas, and Mr. H. F. von liaast spoke about tho Tongariro NV.ionni Park, his remarks bting illustrated with lantern slides. Musical' items helped to enliven the moetlng, and supper wis served.