Pages from the East: The True Story of Te Matawai (July 1946)

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PAGES FROII THE ENST : THE TRUE STORY OF TE HATAWAI ( JULY 1946) Since the author is allegedly a historian, she has thought fit to attempt to record a few highlights from the past history of the W.T.M.C. Inc.,and even to to go back further in time to the two clubs - the Outdoor Club and the Rucsac Clubwhich amalgamated to form this present organisation. If this article proves a success with members, further historical (or hysterical) episodes will appear in this journal: from time to time, Let us turn back eight years into the mists of time (A,D. 1946), and observe the Outdoor Club in action on its first expedition to Te Matawai, and its heroic nightlong struggles to find the Ohau Hut. That year was the ninth year of operation for that club. Its primary purpose was to provide easy trips to beauty-spots and the more accessible parts of the Orongorongos and the Tararuas, It catered primarily for those new to tramping, and for those who did not desire strenuous trips, but who, at the same time, fully appreciated the joys of being out in the bush and in the hills, By 1946 the Outdoor Club was raising its sights to more ambitious tramping trips, and this was one of the trends that led to amalgamation a year later with the. Rucsac Club with its corps of experienced members such as Athol Roberts. Well back to our muttons agains- this was the Outdoor Club's first trip to Te Matawai, The author was fortuately (or unfortunately). not on that trip- she had not yet joined the Outdoors 9 but the following W.T.I,C. members are survivors of that ordeal: Ethyl Carter, Bob Villiams (and brother Gerry), Trevor Walsh and Harold Stretton ( it was Harold's first weekend trip). The party numbered 19 in all,and Harry Menzies ( one of the Outdoor Club stalwarts) was the leader. After disembarking at the Pipe Bridge at 12,30 a.m., the party proceeded into the unknown. According to the map and the leader's caloulations, Ohau Hut was only a to one hour's march away, and it was oqnfidently planned that the party would make an early start the next morning . In Ethyl's words this is what happened . : "It was pitch black, in fact blacker, and torches were worth their weight in rubber. After a short while, it began to rain which did not help. After climbing barbed-wire fences, oozing through very 'high' ooze, wading several creeks, and climbing many slippery banks, we found TWO hours had elapsed and NO Ohau Hut! Torches by this time were casting very weak beams, and we vere ready to throw the leader into the Gorge far, far, below, After the THIRD hour whichoansited of first class JUNGLE training, we began to think - vell - it looks like a bed in a bog". Picture then, the future chief guide and president of the V.T.I,C. Inc. and president of the W,A.M,C. , floundering round in pouring rain, in the famed Ohau mud, guided only by the uncertain light of a candle : (That probably taught him to take a torch and spare batteries out tramping.) I 3,30 a.m., out came famous map again, Ohau Hut had NOT been passed in the rush, but was still lurking ahead in the far distant future. On and on we plodded, until we reached the f orks, and with candle and high hopes, up the bank vent the leader, and lo à OHAU HUT : off came wet pantz, vet sox, wet shirtz, wet bootz, and in quite an orderly manner 16 bodies parked themsclves sardinc-vise ( three stayed behind with the truck), with just a few cutting romarks about the capability and fine leadership of the leader.... 4,30 a.m. and not a murmur,"

"Four hours sleep followed and first bloke woke round about 8,30 a.m., but not a stir in the air, not a stir from the floor.... all was terribly quiet.once more" After the ordeals of the night before and in view of the late hour all hopes of reaching Te:latawai were abandoned, except for two hardy souls, (one of them Haroldobviously a promising lad), who set out with famous map in the pouring rain.The main event of the day was the preparation of stew, Vhen it was dis shed out, "it was just like an advert. in the 'Ladies'Hame Journal". At least the Outdoor Club knew how to make stews in those misty far-off days. "After this a quiet evening was had by all = vell - the game of cards was carried out in a very sporting manner and ended quite early considering; then followed a talk about all sorts of subjects - sea-gulls , albatrosses, Z,B. announcers, bloody murders and Greek heroes "" The two explorers arrived back late in the evening, soaked to the skin after being foiled in their attempt on Te Matavai via the Gable End Ridge, The poor unfortunates were even too late for the remnants of the stew. The party retraced its steps down the Gorge on Sunday still in pouring rain. The excitement did not end vith the return to civilisation. The driver who was a "little under the weather", , was run in by-a .traffic cop, and the party left to cool its heels by the roadside. Finally Harry Menzies, an expert hitcher, obtained rides for 14 of the party in passing cars, The remaining five brought the truck as far as Waikênae ( shepherded by afore-mentioned traffic cop), and then completed the journey in a tank transport. Them were the days : E.M, Rigg