Working Party, May 21-22 (Walls Whare)

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* WORKING PARTY, MAY 21-22. Walls Whare is nearing comple- arrival at Walls was heralded bytion, and so luxurious in aspect that guess what-yes, rain. Luckily the it might be thought suitable as a Trojans had dragged in the rainwater permanent abode. I mean it, fair go! tank to the site and were mostly in- On that weekend, Kelly Yip, Roger side the hut flat out, painting. (How Aiken and myself left the truck at did Elizabeth Street get so Kaitoke to spend the night at Smith's neglected?) Creek hut. This was a prelude to the That night the hut was full, and, walk over Cone Saddle, along Reeves man, I do mean but full! Being a bit Ridge and down a spur by the side tired I thought I'd sleep better under of Clem Creek, to wind up in the a tree, but what with a gale force mighty Waiohine River. As you may wind trying to uproot the same said know, the new Walls Whare is on the tree, and a goodly sprinkling of other side of the river. water upon my upturned face, no This trip to Smith's was unevent- sleep. Naturally an early breakfast ful, but worthy of note at Smith's was the outcome of a sodden sleepthat night was the presence of a ing-bag, and you may imagine the Tararua Club tramper. Is old Smith's, good-natured jokes regarding an Inthen, preferable to the new Tauhere- ternational distress signal of three nikau hut? We welcome all Tararuas. shots when we heard them. Of course, no one took it seriously; it is so often The Saturday walk up to Cone was mis-used. Then followed the feverish very pleasant, and the meeting with putting on of socks and boots when some of our members, who were with an exhausted shooter staggered in to the University working party, quite tell us of a shooting tragedy up in unexpected. Jill Gledstone and Dick the bush. One has to be on a carry- Evans were there to help them place ing party to appreciate the difficulties the new bridge across the Tauhere- that a 7- or 8-foot-long stretcher can nikau River. They had been awaiting pose. However, we arrived out, soakthe arrival of a helicopter since Wed- ed and tired (no lunch!), but still fornesday, and judging by the rotten tunately not without our high spirits. weather I should think they are still "Thanks, chaps," from the "Demon', waiting. The track from the top of and away we went to catch the truck. Reeves Ridge is newly disced, so we Truly an unusual working party for only had to point our heads down- me, and I know that goes for some wards, and go! of the others, too. Thanks, Don. A good job of paint dubbing. The PETE MILLER.