The early 'thirties
was a period of world-wide economic depression, and had a profound
effect on the lives and habits of people everywhere. The strengthening
interest in tramping and mountain activities was widespread; in
New Zealand there were spontaneous developments in many areas,
partly the result of a recognition of the value of healthy recreation
involving only minor expense. The Tararua Tramping Club had been
formed in 1919, the Otago Club in 1923, the Canterbury Mountaineering
Club in 1925, to name but a few. The 'thirties saw an outbreak
of new clubs in many areas.
On the local
scene there was extensive development of active interest in the
mountains. For seven years the Otago Tramping Club had been building
up its activities. The Otago University Tramping Club was functioning—very
actively in some years, more modestly in others. Under the influence
of Ellis, Miller, Boddy, Aitken and others, Otago men had been
taking an active interest in the higher mountains in North-west
Otago. At the end of 1930 the Otago Section of the N.Z. Alpine
Club was formed in Dunedin, this being the start of a long period
of friendly co-operation between trampers and mountaineers. In
1932, as a result of five weeks of continuous ski-able snow on
Flagstaff, the Otago Ski Club was formed; the Tramping Club "
learned with interest of its formation and extended to it its
good wishes for a successful future ". The three clubs operating
in their respective fields worked in well together, with some
members common to all, and with members of one of the clubs not
infrequently becoming interested in the others.
During this
period the life of the Otago Tramping Club continued at a fairly
steady tempo. The membership had built up during the period 1925-32,
but then fell quite sharply - due in part to the purging of un-financial
members - and for the next 15 years was little over 100. Christmas
trips became more far-ranging, from Ohau, Ahuriri and East Matukituki
to Routeburn and Lake Gunn; while Easters covered a variety of
areas mostly in Central or South Otago. As for the usual weekly
trips, " every effort has been made to provide the greatest possible
variety in the fixture cards, at the same time keeping the cost
to a minimum ".
It was in this
period that the Club did its first hut-building. In 1932 it had
donated £5 to the N.Z. Alpine Club as a contribution to the cost
of Cascade Hut in the Matukituki Valley. At the end of that year
permission was obtained from the Dunedin City Council for the
erection of the Club's own hut on a site selected on Section 3,
Block X, Silver Peak District. This venture was approved at a
special general meeting of the Club on March 16, 1933, when the
Committee was authorised to spend £50 on the scheme. A packing
contract of £30 was let, and working parties from the Club, assisted
by parties of helpers from the N.Z. Alpine Club, proceeded to
get the materials transported and hut erected. Access was by the
old Sawmill track from near the Leith Saddle, and it was a grand
sight to see the team of oxen hauling their sledge up the bush
track, then along the narrow ridge from Hightop to Green Peak.
In 1933, Club accounts record the total cost of the hut (less
donations) at £48.16.10; so it is clear that some good planning
and keen financing was involved to keep within the budget. Green
Peak Hut was officially opened on June 3, 1933, and over the next
few years it became the main base for Club activity.
Now that the
Club had acquired property, it became necessary to give it proper
legal standing, and shortly after it became duly incorporated.
A year later,
in September, 1934, the Club's first publication appeared—" Outdoors
No. I ". Originally a very modest pamphlet-style publication,
it has had many changes of content, format, size and style, but
it has continued over the years to record at least some of the
thoughts and experiences of Club members. The first Editor was
C. Lucas, for many years Town Clerk of Dunedin, who, over a
long period, showed himself an excellent friend of the Club. Social
activities at this period consisted mainly of fortnightly or monthly
gatherings. At various stages there were reports of the " Club
Orchestra ", and of the plays, music, dances and magical performances
that were presented at these functions. By these means the Club's
spirit and enthusiasm were maintained and developed.
