Tramping Club

Non-trampers have from time to time queried tramping as a sport, and it is understandable that climbing a mountain or crossing a pass might mean to them a dull and fatiguing toil, or merely an opportunity to exercise muscles and breathe invigorating air. Such academic sentiments obscuring the broad view find little or no place in the tramper's conception of the sport, which encompasses not only a wide variety of activities from both administrative and practical aspects, but social atmosphere of community life as exists in Extrav. and Tournament, and a congenial opportunity for leisured discussions as rarely happens in the uncouth haste of everyday life.

During the past nine months the number and enthusiasm of members has again increased giving birth in another of the ever-popular ski trips last August to Mount Egmont where we were fortunate in seeing many New Zealand title-holders in action at the N.Z. Ski Championships. Following the usual lull during the third term exam trips were once more organized, largely with a bias towards Christmas plans, and several picnic and rock-climbing instruction days at the ' Slab ', Titahi Bay.

The South Island again attracted our attention for the major Christmas expedition, and a party of nearly forty made a base at Spencer Ranges. While many successful climbs were made, others enjoyed the scenery from the grassy slopes of the Travers Valley. Finally about half the party moved off on a pass-hopping trip through the headwaters of the Sabine, Clarence, and Waiau, Ada, and Marauia rivers, eventually emerging on the Lewis Pass road. We had some anxious moments when a deluge on Boxing Day caused the Travers river to rise rapidly and threaten our store tents containing half a ton of food. Fortunately the flood waters subsided in time and from then on our miniature radio gave favourable weather reports, which all turned out to be true.

Meanwhile local activities have centred round the building of a hut—a new venture in the history of the Club. Members have heartily supported this plan and considerable energy has expended in clearing an excellent site in the Tauherenikau Valley, swagging in building material and erecting the framework. However there is still much to be done and we are looking forward to the day when we have a hut of our own and can repay the generous hospitality of other clubs.

Officers

President: Prof. E. J. Boyd-Wilson; Vice-Presidents: Mary B. Boyd, A. H. (Bonk) Scotny, Arthur Oliver. Chairman: C. A. (Ted) Bradstock. Vice-Chairman: Gordon McDonald. Secretary: J. B. (Barney) Butchers. Chief Guide: Harry Evison. Committee: Marshall Laird, Bruce Milburn, Mike Murray. Ski-Captain: Jack McDonald.