Tramping club’s first year

The first annual meeting of the Otago Tramping Club was held in Kroon’s Hall on Thursday night, when the president (Mr O. Balk) presided over a large attendance of members. The annual report stated that the club had been fortunate in its initial year to have experienced one of the finest seasons on record in Dunedin. During the year a very large number of walks to the beauty spots around Dunedin had been organised. At Christmas time one party spent an enjoyable holiday at Lake Wakatipu, climbing Cecil Peak and the Remarkables close up to their highest points. Many good snapshots were taken by members on their outings, and the best of them were permanently preserved in a club album. A record of walks was also being kept. As soon as the financial position of the club permitted it was intended to take in hand the making of new and improving of old tracks, also the erection of shelters and huts. The only work of any importance which had so far been accomplished in this direction was the clearing of a track across Flagstaff Hill down to the Whare Flat road. This linked up with the picturesque track from Ross Creek Reservoir, shortened the route down the back of the hill, and avoided trespassing on private property. It was cut at the expense of the club by the old hermit of Flagstaff, Mr Ben Rudd, who made a good job. The various property owners on Signal Hill and the St Clair hills had been interviewed and their permission obtained to facilitate the crossing of fences by the erection of stiles. As the preservation of all forms of wild life and the conservation of scenery were some of the main objects of the club, all the members of the committee were appointed honorary rangers by the City Council. The election of office-bearers for the ensuing year resulted as follows: president Mr R. Gilkison; vice-presidents Messrs Thomson and Knox; secretary and treasurer Mr I. Mackie; committee Misses D. Mackie and E. Harrison, Messrs E. Hunter and E. Miller; social committee Misses G. Parker, M. Given, C. Howden, H. Balk, and Mr E. Hunter; auditor, Mr S. Angell. Mr Donald McQuilkan, of Whare Flat, and the Messrs Gilmore, of Kilmog, were elected honorary life members.

 

A deputation of Otago members of both Houses of Parliament waited upon the Minister of Railways yesterday, to urge upon him the necessity for duplicating and straightening the Port Chalmers railway. Mr J.M. Dickson said the deputation was indicative of the feeling in Dunedin and Port Chalmers that they were not receiving a fair deal. Some £40,000 had been spent in two years in connection with the duplication to Ravensbourne. What they now wanted was that the duplication be continued to the port. The Port Chalmers line was the first constructed in New Zealand. This line was part of the main south line, and it was not in keeping with the rest of the line. The Railway Department not only owned the line, but it owned the wharves at Port Chalmers as well, so that it had an especial interest in the matter. Practically all the exports of Otago and a large proportion of the imports for Otago came over the line. Mr Sidey said that what concerned the people was that in a scheme that was to cover eight years the Port Chalmers line was scarcely mentioned except the duplication to Ravensbourne, which had been long arranged. — ODT, 18.10.1924