MALTE BRUN HUT

Hokitika Guardian, 30 November 1928, Page 6

MALTE BRUN HUT

SITE 'FOR NEW BUILDING SELECTED.

DIFFICULTIES OF TRANSPORT

CHRISTCHURCH, November 29

Some time ago Cabinet made a grant i.if CIO!)!) for the construction of a new hut to replace the present .Malte llriui Hut at .Mount Cook, and recently Messrs F. Langhcin. Resident Engineer. Public Works Department. Christchurch, W. H. Walton, president of the Timaru branch of the New Zealand Alpine Club, R. L. Wiglcy. manager of the Mount Cook Motor Company, ami Guide Williams went to the vicinity to choose a site for the new hut. ■

Air Langbein, who returned to Christchurch on Tuesday night, stated that in choosing the site the prime consideration was to get one salt 1 Irom avalanches, snowdrifts, and suchlike. It was considered that the best site was one approximately 800 or 400 feet to the southward of the existing site, and this lets been decided upon. A serious problem is that connected with llie transport of the material to tin* site. No difficulties present- Idiomselves until the material has been got. t„ the Rail Hut; it can he carted to within three miles olf that hut, but it will have to be packed by horse over those three miles. A little over seven miles separates tbe Rail Hut from the Malte ID uii Hut, and it is over this distance that thA difficulties arise. For the greater portion of the distance the route traverses the dasman glacier and there are no lower than tnree moraines to be negotiated. It is impossible to pack by horse, and at piosent is looks as if the material will have to be man-handled over those romdi and difficult seven miles. In view of this, difficulty of transport, the design of the hut will have to pro vide for material of the lightest doscriotion consistent with the stiongtl. required. At bust it is anticipated t|, a t it will be slow work getting the material on to the site. The present Alalie Rnm Hut has accommodation for eight people; in the new hut it is proposed to provide accommodation tlor 24 people. Mu new Malte ID-iiii Hut probably will be much on the same lines as the present Ball I lot.