Opening of Smiths Creek Hut

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OPENING OF SIETTHS CREEK HUT. And vhat a good show it vas too. It all started on Friday, 18th. February with about two truck loads of our bods leaving the Railway Station. We arrived at Andrew' S in rain - ghastly thought if it kep: up for the weekend. The first truck load got away smartly for Tauwharenikau Hut while the second headed for Smiths. Joy, Strett and Rod had visions of bedding down in the barn, still, they didntt seem to really mind the small party provided by Walla, Phil and I before we finally headed for Smiths and let them try and get some sleep. (Rod somehow seemed unable to sleep - though he left the barn about 3.30 and rolled into Smiths moaning (what - again!) about fleas.) One thing about being so late - we missed all the rain and even had a bit of moonlight for the last part of the trip. We three did not go to sleep, sitting up instead to provide a brew for the odd bods who rolled in during the night a and for ourselves of course. At 5 a.m. on our way up-river after deer we heard one while outside Tauwharenikau Hut. Unfortunately it was too dark to see - or maybe it was fortunate as far as our popularity with the "Teranike" residents was concerned. By 8.30 all bods plus gear were cleared out of Sniths while spit and polish were the order of the dav. While the fl oor and bunks were swept, the fireplace cleaned out and the windows cleaned others cleaned up the hut surrounds while a much larger gang collected wood for and built the camp fire; prepared a"stage" for the nightts doings and erected a plank over the river. I wasntt down there but I heard a lot of laughter from Canyon Creek so they must have been having fun while they worked. Since then I have seen a photograph of Butch out on the end of the plank with a threatening pole keeping her there. I still don't know why I got a dirty look when I said "Did you go in? - I hope." By lunchtime when another Swarm from the morning's truck had arrived most of the work had been done and during the afternoon camps were made. Tents seemed to spring up in every direction that you looked. To help pass the time an impromptu "Slave Auction" was held on the Camp Fire Stage. We did not seem to be able to keep the supply of slaves running freely - maybe because of the low prices boing bid - very damaging to any girl's morale. The highest bid seemed to consist of about 5/34 plus two socks with holes in- and somebodys toe-nail clippings. I ended my association with the auction when people started bidding my ski cap - no girl is worth that. At 5 p.mo to the click of cameras and the buzz of Barriets and Atholts movie jobs, Rob Jamieson officially opened the now Smiths Creek Hut. He made a short review of our Clubts progress since its inception combined with a review of work done on the Hut, which certainly looked spic and span for the ceremony. The white window frames and gleaming windows stood out in the sunshine from the black bulk of the rest; the white door with its name plate; SMITHS CREEK HUT W. T. M. C. 1949. painted white on varnish. The interior (even though I was one of the decorators) looked good too. Streamers and ferns vied with each other for pride of place in the decoration scheme.

4r Shipping posters (Yes, I want to go to Holland too) added a touch of colour round the walls while a few fancy candles illuninated the fireplace surrounds. After the opening speech all present were invited inside the Hut. Everyone seemed to be dressed in their best and brightest - Cyril too brightly. On filing into the Hut a count of heads brought the staggering total of just over 110. When all were safely inside Phil Phillips thought it best to explain a couple of things to our guests from the Tararua, Catholic, Masterton Y.M.C.A., Levin-Waiopehu, Technical College, 'Varsity and Whaka- Haere Tramping Clubs. First item was the 2 man tent pitched in the - fireplace this was there just to prove that it could be used as a Guest Room;and second item was the notice over the fireplace reading in true "Man" style - DOG BOX - For being in. This Phil informed the assemblage was for the benefit of those who seem to perpetually get in bad odor (No, NOT the Lifebuoy meaning) around the place and who can usually be heard exclaiming dolefully that they have no friends - no names mentioned - thank goodness. After this opening, speecnes were made by representatives from the other Clubs present. The H.V.T.C. were not represented through the date clashing with their Annual Picnic while the T.T.C. had only a few members there as the date had clashed with their Waiohine Cage Working Party - on which, incidentally, I hear they had a considerable amount of "fun". Anyway on came the speeches; Bert Hines and Joe Gibbs from the T.T.C.; Ted Esler from Masterton Y.M.C.A.; Ron Ellis from 'Varsity; Mr. Verry the State Forest Ranger from Masterton and Les Edwards from Levin- Waiopehu. Thanks to these speackers for the nice things they said about us. When all the speeches were over we all filtered out again, signed our names on a 3 ply replica of the Club Badge and then back to our many and varied camping spots for tea. By 8.15p.m. most had gathered at the Camp Fire on Canyon Creek and after Song Sheets had been handed out the Fire was lit by Trip Leader Athol Roberts who was followed by M.C. Frank Dement and Song Leaders Marie Marshall, Cliff Ingmire, Graeme Hall, Bill Rice, Don Dement and Jimmy Ritchie sending the progranme off with a swing. Various songs from duets to community efforts soon ticked the time around until suddenly there sounded two rifle reports followed by a hot and bothered bod diving on to the stage and trying to hide behind Frank from the "Terror of the Tauwharenikau" who was close behind him. The following few minutes saw some very spirited action ensue between the bod (I think his name was Terry) and the Terror - played by Athol - while Frank recited some of the song of the same name. Finally the victim tore himself from the Terrorts clutches and made off towards Smiths Creek, however, in keeping with the song's chorus, retribution overtook him at Smiths when a well aimed "bullet" laid him low. Incidentally let it be known that I am now leading a movement to erase for all time beards from men. I now sympathise with all girls and particularly Athol's wife as far as beards are concerned. Shortly after this the "Terror" reappeared. "She" now had the job of presenting some diplomas to the people who had led a Hut Working Party so "she" started off by calling for Athol Roberts but Frank said Athol was off somewhere with a little blonde. Rob Jamieson, Phil Phillips, Walla Hobbs and Terry Moore came forward in quick order.

Den Collings was absent at the moment and Laurie Neilson had not been able to be present. The four who took their stand were each presented with their Diploma which is reproduced (apart from the Olde English lettering and the gold scrolls) at the end of this account and a toy trumpet. The Terror's reasoning was that after receiving the Diploma they could blow their own trumpet - so they had to do just that - and what a hash they made of "Home, Sweet Home". After this, while Athol was playing the mouth organ, Framk appeared on stage to perform a hula. This turn was followed by some "rounds' which were rudely interrupted by the appearance of a pirate crew swaggering on to the stage. Led by Pirate Captain Frank Dement, the crew (and what a motley crew) were Bill Rice, Graeme Hall, Cyril Jacquard and "Frank" McGowan. The first shaking victim was Den Collings who's forfeit for his share in aiding and abetting the erection of Smiths Creek Hut was to clean the Terror's rifle to the satisfaction of the Chief Guide. Next to appear was Denis Allison who, a as he is also tied up with Youth Travel work, had to talk for one minute exactly on the difference between Y.T.A. and tramping trips. Next up were Marie Marshall and Ethyl Carter. The Pirate Chief reckoned the girls of the Club did not do enough for the comfort of the men so as an example to the others these two had to make supper for all comers. The pirates then descended on Walla Hobbs and the writer. Walla as forfeit had to pick-a-back me over the river and then the process to be reversed for the return trip = the long and short of it in fact. Walla did a fine job on the way over but a Gremlin pushed me about a yard from the finishing line so we got a little wet. While this had been going on (so the pirates could make a get-away from any irate wet bods) Rob Jamieson and Phil Phillips walked the plank in traditional style - what a splash. So ended the Carp Fire - a really good show. Everyone headed back to camp to partake of a brew and/or whatever else they had or could scrounge in the liquid line but I don't think many were up very late. During the night wind rose and rain descended and I hear that many tent dwellers spent an anxious time I why get wet in a tent when you can stay dry under a good tree? About 7a.m. Max woke Phil, Walla and I with the news that Dav was ill. We made our way promptly to the Holloway tent where there did not seem much that could be done to assist her. We finally found Athol and the pain was diagnosed to the best of our combined ability as appendicitis. Arrangements were immediately made to carry Dawn out and all our bods we could find were routed out - we didn't find our President though - maybe he had thought someone might try to throw him in the river during the night and had taken precautions. Framk Dement did a good job making a stretcher while "Frank" McGowan brewed porridge and Stan Kinder and Dennis O'Neill made fast time out to a phone to contact a doctor. About 8.30 the cavalcade was off. After the first two changes the three teams of 8 bearers were well organised and no delay occurred in the change-over after each three minute spell. The 3 or 4 "Sticky" stretches of track to the foot of the Puffer were well negotiated and here we were met by Eutch and Don Dement who had done a fine job in having a brew and food ready.

The "Teranike" side of the Puffer was taken with only four changes of bearers. Number 1 drank their brew while 2 carried on for their three minutes then went back for their brew while 3 took over and gave the first team a hard chase to overtake them over half way up. Number 1 then gave number 2 a good run until they were finally caught near the top. Down the Puffer provided most fun = mainly because of banks of gorse as far as the side bearers were concerned and ruts for the inside bearers. At this stage the teams broke up a bit = more people were now available and there was a general scramble to get in and help - but maybe it was the presence now of Barric plus movie camera I did I have to work hard to get my picture taken! At last - the bottom - and the easy stretch out to the road in just under 23 hours from Canyon Creek and then up to Mr. Andrews farm where Davm was put to bed to await the arrival of the Doctor about 20 mins. and the Ambulance about 23 hours later. The weather was now fine after rain and strong gusts of wind most of the way out. After a brew and food most of us headed back to collect our packs. These had been relayed and double-packed by most of our girls and almost all of our blokes who werc not on the stretch er and with some much appreciated help from our old friends, Masterton Y.M. So ended our first rescue combined with the opening of our first Hut. The rescue was made excellent by the fine work done by almost every member, the stretcher bearers, the runners, those who put on brews and food, the pack carriers with the stretcher and the really fine relaying work done by the girls. A really good week-end except for Dawn but we are very pleased to be able to say that she has been released from hospital and is now back on her fect. Now for attendance on the trip. It is of course difficult to keep track of everyone on a weekend such as this so we won't list all the names of Club members present. Sufficient that there were over 50 Club members that we know of, who's names were picked up from the Truck List. Terry Moore. TARARUA RANGE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE. DIPLOMA IN BUSH CARPENTRY. +++++++ This DIPLOMA is Hereby Granted to ..of The WELLINGTON TRAMPING and MOUNTAINEERING CLUB, Inc. to Certify that he has Passed with Honours the University Course in BUSH CARPENTRY and is now entitled to place after his name the letters M. B. C. (Master Bush Carpenter.) The Examiners of this candidate commend him particularly on his ability as a Chiseler, as never before in the History of the University has the Honourable Art of Chiseling been so ably expounded and demonstrated. Given under the seal of The TARARUA RANGE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, this Nineteenth day of February, 1949. Sed)......W..4..Fludger:. Registrar.