TARARUA TRAMPING CLUB.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 6 August 1919, Page 3

TARARUA TRAMPING CLUB.

, A PROMISING PUTURE. t ] AVriting iu connection with the e newly-formed Tararua Tramping Club, a Mr F. AA’. A r osselcr, one of the prime movers, says:— c “Our club numbers amongst its mcm- / bers many of the leading citizens, and - it was really a surprise to me to find i so many of our brainiest men interest- , ed. For example, Professor Hunter, t Mr A. C. Clifford, Dr. Thomson, Mr. : Cotton, Mr H. C. Aston, and other scientific gentlemen rank amongst us. : Several schoolmasters and teachers and j the legal and commercial sections are ■ well represented. It looks as if we are 1 going to make these hills a popular resort. A certain amount of pioneering work will need to be done, and that charm will unfortunately more or less vanish —the main tiling to consider is to make the track absolutely safe so that even under most trying conditions there should not lie any danger of loss of life. That is a thing I personally fear —1 am certain the risk will not be to members of the club, but rather lo others who will venture ; without the proper equipment and < knowledge. Our club will train its members in the compass, map-reading, and the many little tricks that are valuable in danger alul emergency. Personally I do not think anyone ought to. lie lost, in the sense that they do not know how to get out. and merely exhaust themselves by walking in circles. One has only to go deep into the gullies and the streams will lead one to safety if the margin of physical endurance necessary is available.” AA’e hear that there is every likelihood of the club having a membership [of 101). The subscription is only lbs for men and .As for ladies and boys.

The next more of the club is to get a [wire suspension bridge over the Tauherenikau river. ■ There is a spot where this can be done wit lioni a greater span than that at the Otaki Forks. .11 this is provided parties will not be held up when the Tauhereiiikuu is in flood, and the bridge will prove of very great convenience at-oiher times. The club also intends to provide some emergency rations at the hut at Mount Alpha, which, it is hoped, will be left by visitors for emergencies sui-h as tho recent trip bv Mr Vosseler’s party, wlm were weather-bound for several days.