NEW SKI STORE OPEN
ALPINE CLUR AT HOME DAWSON FALLS OCCASION Alpine club members from as far as Auckland, Taihape and Wellington attended the annual at home of the Mt. Egmont Alpine Club at Dawson Falls on Saturday night. and yesterday more than I 80 climbers attended the official opcning of the new ski store erected near the hostel. The accommodation at the hostel and all the lodges was taxed, the Ruapehu Ski Club being represented by nine members, the Taranaki Alpine Club by 23, the Stratford Mountain Club by two. the Eltham Alpine Club by three. and the Mount Egmont Alpine Club by 40. Usually between 60 and 70 members of the Mount Egmont Alpine Club attended the at home. but on this occasion more than 40 members were either overseas with the fighting forces or in camp. The south committee of the Egmont National Park Board was represented by Mr. A. R. Bates. The visitors began to arrive about mid-afterpoon. and there was a continual stream of traffic up the track throughout the afternoon. No climbing was done. visitors devoting the time to arranging their accommodation for the week-end. More than 70 people arrived in time for informal dinner in the hostel. _ The evening was devoted to a social and dance in Robson Lodge. decorated by the club's social committee, which was also responsible for supper arrangements. Among the members of the Ruapehu Ski Club members was Miss Julie Werry, one of New Zealand's most famous sopranos, who sang a bracket of numbers, the accompaniments being played by Mr. E. Drake. During the evening club members presented a sketch entitled "The Mad Doctor," and Mr. H. Gretton sang a number of topical verses. A compe- , tition was won by Miss Peace Gilmour (New Plymouth). A welcome was extended by Mr. R. Syme. who apologised for the absence of Mr. W. C. Weston and read an apology from the members of the Egmont National Park Board. Visitors from Wellington, Auckland and Taihape were included in the Ruapehu Ski Club party. Good wishes for a successful gathering were expressed in a telegram received from Mr. F. Bourke, a former secretary, who is in camp. 45 Members on Service. "I think we can take this expression of good will from Mr. Bourke as the feeling of all of the 45 members of the club, who are unahle to attend -to-night because of their military duties." said Mr. Syme, "and in extending good wishes to Mr. Bourke we do so to all of them." Appreciation of the work of the members responsible. for making the. evening a success- was expressed by Mr. Syme, who made special reference to the action of Kerrisk's prchestra in offering its services gratuitously. "It is not often that an epidemic hrings good fortune to anybody." said Mr. Syme. introducing Mr. A. V. Tait, chairman of the south committee of the Egmont Park Board, "but the present one in the camps can account for the presence of many alpine club members on this occasion. . Mr. Syme thanked the south' cohimit- ■ tee for its kiridness in grantirtg permis-" ' sion for the erection of a ski store iri its district. _ Comparing the present conditions witn those pertaining 45 years ago. Mr. Tait stated that at the opening of the first Dawson Falls mountain house he was' a member of a party of about 40 which rode through dense bush to be present, A Minister of the Crown was to have performed the ceremony, but at the. last moment this had proved impossible and Mr. F. Dingle officiated. . Refererjce was made by Mr. Tait during his address to the suspicion with which he had at first viewed alpine clubs because of the possibility of the introduction of a destructive element to the reserve, but he was glad to say that the clubs had warranted every support by the reserve authorities because of the light 'in which they regarded the preservation of bush. Yesterday's Activities. A large party enjoved ski-ing under excellent conditions yesterday, many others climbing to the run to look on. Other parties spent the day tramping in the bush. At the conclusion of the opening ceremony all present, including vlsiting club members and the general public, were the guests of the Mt. Egmont Alpine Club at afternoon tea.
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Taranaki Daily News, 23 September 1940, Page 9
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719NEW SKI STORE OPEN Taranaki Daily News, 23 September 1940, Page 9
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