NEW HUT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 May 1939, Page 6

NEW HUT

OPENED ON HOLDSWORTH HUTT VALLEY TRAMPING CLUB’S ENTERPRISE. BIG GATHERING YESTERDAY. A new hut recently erected by the Hutt Valley Tramping Club at the altitude of about 4,000 ft. on Mount Holdsworth was officially opened yesterday in the presence of a large gathering of trampers from many parts of New Zealand. Altogether, there were over a hundred members of tramping clubs present, including 58 from the Hutt Valley Club, 11 from the Wairarapa Tramping Club, 8 from the Tainui Tramping Association, 7 from the Tararua Tramping Club, 4 from the Ruapehu Ski Club, 7 from the Manawatu Tramping Club, 4 from the Ruc Sac Tramping Club, 5 from the Heretaunga (Hastings) Tramping Club, and representatives from the Victoria University Tramping Club, Canterbury Mountaineering Club, Otaihape Alpine Club, Training College Tramping Club, Canterbury Winter Sports Club and Stratford Mountaineering Club. The visitors’ book, which was signed following the opening, contained the names of 80 men and 31 ladies, including several members of the Kia Ora Girls’ Hockey Club who visited the mountain for a training walk. Ideal weather favoured the opening, which took place at noon yesterday. The new hut, which is located under the shelter of a huge rocky bluff, commands a wonderful view of the whole of the Wairarapa Valley and will provide excellent facilities for mountaineering parties in the Holdsworth region, one of the most popular areas in the Taranaki Ranges.

Mr W. H. Wilson, president of the Hutt Valley Tramping Club, who officially opened the hut expressed thanks to the large number of trampers for their attendance, many of whom had travelled a considerable distance to be present. He was the proudest man on the ranges that day. The construction of the hut was a self-imposed task and it had been a gruelling one, as all the material had to be packed up to the site by members of the Hutt Valley and kindred clubs. He thanked the builders and carpenters for their work, which had been carried out in favourable weather; the hon. architect. Mr J. Burtenshaw, who was also a member of the Hutt Valley Club; kindred clubs and Mr B. lorns, of Masterton, for their assistance. The hut, said Mr Wilson, was the inspiration of Mr lan Powell, secretary of the Hutt Valley Club and without his efforts there would have been no hut. In recognition of his work it had been decided to name the hut the lan Powell Hut. Although it was the property of the Hutt Valley Club it was open to all trampers. who were asked, however, to do their best to preserve it for future use.

Miss B. Dickson, of the Hutt Valley Club, cut a cord and opened the hut. Mr F. Green, a member of the Heretaunga Club, who spoke on behalf of the visiting clubs, said the present was the first occasion in which the members of his club had visited the Tararuas. He complimented those responsible for the erection of the hut, which had accommodated 48 trampers for the night. The Hutt Valley Club, he said, had done fine work and he was pleased to be present and associate himself with kindred clubs. He wished the Hutt Valley Club every success with its new venture. A chorus by the Hutt Valley Club members was greatly enjoyed.

In addition to the 48 trampers accommodated at the lan Powell Hut on Saturday night, 27 spent the night at the mountain house and many other, trampers arrived on Sunday morning. Those who supervised the building were Messrs D. H. Falconer, F. Humphrey, H. Saint, C. Ilton, H. S. Barraclough and C. Barraclough.