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THE SYDNEY BUS HWALKER monthly bulletin of matters of“interest to the Sydney Bush Walkers-, c/,- Ingersoll Hall, 256,Crown,St., Sydney. Price 6d.
Editor; Alex Colley, 55 Kirribilli Ave., Milsonls Point. .Tel. XA.1255 Production and Business Manager; Brian Harvey Reporters; Jim Brown, Kath McKay Sales and Subs; Shirley Evans Typed by Jean Harvey 0.TKI.,0-.1aclys Martin. S CONTENTS Editorial - Saving our Wildflowers Social Notes for December At the November General Meeting Milford Sound - Winning Photograph of 160 Exhibition with comments by Max Dupain. Conservation Notes Annual Report of the Parks & PlaygroundMovernt: The Mark Morton Primitive - Ira Trinds; Plea for Primitive Aron seeds for free distributj Page– 1 3 4 7 al Bool iv L -Thura .es & Map Re, ng for ot Wee)-,ond-,- by ' Twenty 'Years Ago - ' 5con AllsL R.J.Mc Jim Hooper Issifv–Erink” addy's Advt.- 7 18 EDITORIAL , SAVING OUR WILDFLOWERS In the first Club minute book, under the date 22nd May, 1928, -npears the following record:-Resolved “That we write to the Wild –gtion Society informing them that the S.B.W. will support ilhey may t,a,- the further protection of wild -er was, written to the Under Secret-2 thatstaghorns, elkhorns, and rill around the Gosford District, hp pL7ced on the oxtension of 2. There were further activities along similar lines during the thirties, but it was not until 1944 that our efforts reached a climax. How, in that martial year, the attention of the public and the Legislature could be diverted to wild flowers is a wondrous thing, yet it was done, mainly through the efforts of Marie Byles, then Fede,-ntion Secretary, and Rae Page. Some 60 copies of a petitionfor banning the sale of wildflowers were distributed and over 4,000 signatures obtained. The petition was presented to the Minister for Local Government by a deputation led by the President and Secretary of the 1 Federation and supported by the Ku-ring-gai Chase Trust, the National Park Trust, the Rmgerst League, the Garawarra Trust, the Killara Community Service Club, the Wild Life Preservation Society and the Blue Mountains Shire. Though the depUtation did not succeed in having the sale of wildflowers banned, it did result in an amendment to the Wild FlOwers and Native Plants Protection Act in 1945. This enabled the gazetting of a regulation in July 1945 requiring that growers should be licensed, that flowers should be bunched, and that labels should be affixed clearly 'indicating the name and address of the grower and the number of his license. The reason given for no \. banning sales was that it mi,ht deprive growers of their means of earning a living. The five years since the regulations were made have provided an almost perfect testing period of their efficacy. During the war few lieople could get into the bush. By 1945 wildflowers were growing right alongside the roads. Then came a succession of excellent seasons ard an almost complete absence of bush fires. The growth of wildflowers however, in all accessible parts, has been checked, and over large area waratahs, native rose and other beautiful flowers have almost disappeared. The process has been accelerated by the lifting of petrol rationing, but the main damage is done, as is acknowledged by all authorities, by the professional pickers. Operating during the night and early morning, trid using motor trucks, the pickers have played havoc with the abundant growth of flowers. The President of the Ku-ring-gai Chase Trust, Mr. C.C. Burnside, said recently that the thieving of wild flowers was more widespread than he had ever known in 23 years as a trustee. The thieving would continue, he said, until selling was prohibited. On September 26th this year the matter was raised in Parliament. Again the main reason given by the Minister for Local Government for not banning sales was that growers might be deprived of their means of making a living. It was similar reasoning which led to the granting - of licenses for the trapping of koalas and almost caused their extinction. Furthermore, if anybody is unable to earn a living when there are forty thousand jobs going begging it simply means that he won't work. If the growers are really keen horticulturalists they could readily use their land for garden flowers. If, however, it could be proved that special hardship would be caused, compensation would not be costly. There are only 250 registered growers. Few depend entirely on wildflowers for a living, and' holdings are usil small and of little value. Other reasons given by the Minister were “that the loss of flowers is due not so much to people picking them as to bushfires an the encroachment of settlement on open areas. Wildflowers could be transported across the border and sold there”. In other words, since picking for sale is only one of the causes of the destruction of wildflowers, there is no purpose in banning it. This is tantamount to arguing that since arson is only one of the causes of fires there should be no law against it. Tho progressive approach would be to do everything possible to control every cause of wildflower destruction. The most obvious cause, and the one most easily remedied, is the inducement offered to the unscrupulous, under the present law, to pick flowers anywhere and attach a label to them. It is very difficult to detect people gathering, flowers in open country, and the only mans of stopping them is to remove the market for flowers by banning their sale. Bush- . fires may be more difficult to prevent, but the main reason for their prevalence in the bushlands where wildflowers grow, is that usually nobody tries to stop them there unless they are near “property”. The spread of settlement need not mean the destruction of wildflowers, as may be'seen in many parts of the North Shore. As to the export to other States, surely the police in other States would co-operate. There is no insuperable difficulty in preserving our unique and beautiful wildflowers. But unless the simple and obvious steps we have indicated are taken many species will never be seen either by local residents or by tourists. SOCIAL NOTES FOR DECEMBER. A final reminder about the Christmas Party): When? Tuesday, 12th December. Where? The Coronet, just up from Wynyard. There'are Several people selling tickets - 'Betty Digiden, Gwen Jewell, Mary McGregor and myself. Those who wish to Jok a table, see me, or if unable to come to the Club, post me ,nformtion. This time it is to be a really'wonderfUl Christmas Party - for non-dancers as well as dancers. Mr. Michael Sawtell will be at the Club on 15th December. Mr. Sawtell recently paid a visit to Central Australia and should have some interesting iniormation for us. Don't forget now) See. you at the Partyll - Edna Stret ton, Social Secretary. 4. AT THE NOVEMBER GENERAL MEETING. Jim Brown, What make a good General Meeting? The Navember meeting had all the makings, including a large attendance, a healthy swag of new members to welcome, and lively debate, albeit on the part of the old faithfuls to a large degree. Yet your reporter didn't enjoy the latter part of it the least little bit, especially when he came to the end of his note-book, and was scratching around for odd half- pages to record both official minutes and the bones for this report. You have been warned if this summary of a long and interesting meeting is rather disjointed! The President la:A, been called away, and in the absence of both Vice Presidents, Allen Strom was elected Chairman for the meeting. At the peak attendance about 70 members were in evidence, and we welcomed in swift sequence Audrey ard Valmai Brady, Elaine Prince, MabeltHirst, Dulcie Jeanes, Jack Gentle, David King, George Spicer, John Edwards and John Wonham. Certainly the best aggregation of new members for over two years. Hailing back to the minutes of the previous meeting, Committee reported on the case of the day test walk which went more or less leaderless. It had been considered that the leader had made an honest mistake, and so Committee had resolved to take no further action, but a warning was given that the failure of leaders to conduct their walks could result in the Walks Programme becoming worthless. -A very serious view would be taken of future cases, Bill Gillam supported-with a motion that the Club take a stern view of futUre instances, and this was carried. In the correspondence was a note from the Hon. Solicitor endlosing the Valuer-General's estimate of the worth of Portion 7 at Er' as at date of resumption to be 400. It was resolved that we prot 4t to the Valuer General's Department against the valuation, whi n was only 50 above our 1943 purchase price, rather than wait upon the ultira te offer from the Lands Department, which would almost certainly echo the Valuer General's rating, Passing over the formalities of the Social, Treasurer's and Federation reports, which drew little comment, we received a special report frpm Dorothy Lawry on the Annual Conference of the Forestry Advisory Council. Our delegates had attended the two “businessn days of the meeting, and had seen both S.B.W. motions passed. Certain matters came to the notice of the conference, however, which affected the F.A.C. constitution, and it was proposed to refer these to a special meeting to be summoned in the New Year. Dorothy's report was received, and the meeting expressed its appreciation of our delegates' work by acclamation. 5. We considered then a number of questions arising from these deferred motions, so that our delegates to the projected special meeting could be instructed. We assented to the doctrine that the F.A.C. should be an active tree-planting organisation, no purely advisory in character: we were chary of a motion to add a subtitle “friends of the lane to the goo d old simple name “Forestry Advisory Council” - why, said someone, you could expand the Council's title to infinity if once you started that. We supported two motion which would expand the Executive and General bodies of the F.A.C., and although past-Treasurer Allan Hardie deplored it, we also agreed that the fees for Associate Members and Affiliated Organisations be increased, The last matter for consideration was our attitude to Zoos: a motion before the F.A.C. had recommended abolition and replacement by free technicolour films of animal life. Betty Hall thought we should obtain som definition of Zoo - did that refer to all animal sanctuaries, to commercialised animal displays, and also large and well managed Zoos? Dorothy Lawry commented that she believed it was the loss of animal life caused through “export” of creatures to other climates which inspired the motion, and it was eventually resolved that we opposed the maintenance of zbfos, and would prefer to see regeneration centres for rare native creatures. Alex Colley brought up the matter of two holiday camps proposed for the Narrabeen Area one on Deep Creek and one On Middle Harbour Creek. Years ago, he said, the Club had been interested in that area, which was still reasonably unspoiled. He foresaw holiday campers running around with their little hatchets would shortly change all that, and moved that we write to the Cumberland County Council protesting against the erection of the camps, and pointing to our previous efforts to have the district reserved as a primitive area. Dorothy Lawry believed that we had never sought it as a primitive area, but as a recreational area. Had it been Crown land, she felt it would have been so reserved some years ago, but it was private property. There was a possibility that construction along new roads thereabouts would block access to the wilder parts. George Spicer in a maiden speech ventured the opinion that holiday camps may encourage people in the love of out-of-doors, so that they would seek the real bushland instead of near-backyards, but the Motion of opposition to the camps was carried, Dormie raised the question of Yeola, which we had represented for reservation years ago. He moved that we ask Federation to approach the Minister for Lands with an enquiry whether a resumption in reasonable tine was likely (carried). A second motion that the Hon. Solicitor be requested to investigate the title to a number of blocks and probable costwith a view to purchase was lost. Alex Colley opposed the second motion on the score that it wasn't fair to L,,k the Hon. Solicitor to do a job we could well 40 for ourselves, whilst Dorothy Lawry suggested that Yeola was rather distant for us to police it effectively. Dormie responded that many parties visited Yeola and would report transgressions by timber cutters: some years ago he had obtained quite a deal of information on the values and ownership of land there, and this had been forwarded to the Conservation Bureau. Land prices had bon very, cheap then; Gil Webb and Kath Brown pointed to two flies in the ointment, first that we had no money until reimbursed for Era, and second that the damage had already been done. At this stage the motion was lost, It was then decided to reciuK,st Conservation Bureau to return Allan Hardie 's data so that we should have the full facts for consideration, Even though the familiar camp site bad been bull-dozed beyond recognition, the vq1ley above Yoola contained one or the last stands of straight timber, and tho place was certainly worth reservation, said the Yeolists, although a number of members seamed slightly disquieted at the notion of tying up hard cash in a,place without the recognised camping place. One final spasm remained to complete the evening - Era again. Much had appeared in nwspapeTs pro and con the shacks, and it had been learned that the Minister for Lands would probably be dealing with the allocation of the resumed lands in the near future. We decided to ask Tom Herbert to interview the Minister and renew our arguments for the :inclusion of Era with Garawarra, together with requests that additional hut building and cattle pasture there be prevented. As the evening wound up, a certain dearth of applicants for the positions of Room Stolvardswas evident, but new membor George Spicer presently volunteered, and was charged to find an accomplice (in which, I may add, he succeeded). The long, discursive meeting closed (none too soon for your reporter who was inspecting the Chairman's collar for spare space) at 9,45 p m. gm. ollosooftaPs1.0….10.2.11.1Mtall
Several comments have been made from time to time, upon the haste of certain members to return to Sydney early on Sunday evening so that they may enjoy a home cooked meal. There seems to be a new excuse to arrive home for 8 p m. The B.B.C. Show 'Much Binding in the Marsh” emanates from 2F0 at that hour, and, judging by the amount of discussion about it on train trips and around camp fires, it is popular with a large section of the Club - or is it just a new. approach? MiLYORD SuUND Winning photograph of the.S.B.W. 1950 Exhibition by Arthur Gilroy Mr. Max Dupain, who kindly acted as judge and critic at the exhibition, described this photograph as a landscape in the grand manner. It was a well balanced and dramatic composition”with traditional leanings. Good judgment was shown in keeping the foreground dark, thus making the massive mountains recede in tone. This helped a suggestion of three dimensional quality. The photograph ti,ansmitted a feeling of awe to the spectator. The sky, he said, was, unfortunately, a failure. There was in- adequate tone in the cloud areas: this could have been helped through by local reduction in the negative, particularly in the right hand area. No cloud at all would have been preferale, with the tone darkening out to the top of the print. The meaning of the photograph was clear; primarily a recording of New Zealand atmosphere. ,r) CONSERVATION NOTES. THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS MOVFMFNT contains FC7777-3=77-57-ii:Iia77-17TEWEE-E75-117s7-7=77–It states that “The Movement and others concerned had hoped thr,t the Era and Garie lands would be placod in the care of the Garawarra Park Trustees, who are capably administering their trust. 'Short cutst by legislators lacking full knowledge or varying conditions can be as disastrous as they often prove to inexperienced hikers, and keen anxiety is felt lest the National Park Trust's Idevelopmenbal7 policy be extended into the Garawarra lands..” A great part of the Narrow Necks, Ruined Castle and Mount Solitary lands has been held under Mining Conditional Purchases, which have now been surrendered and is now available for reclassification, The Council of the City of Blue Mountains has requested the Lands Department to reserve about 2,000 acres. This constitutes the remainder of the area. (640 acres was reserved following representations by the S.B.W., the P, and P. Movement and other bodies). The report also states that no less than 27 species of flora formerly common to the Hawkesbury Sandstone area are now extinct, and points to the danger that many more species may disappear unless the Government prohibits the sale of wildflowers. “The last two generations have played havoc with our native flowers”, it co4tinues, hand their extinction would stand to the everlasting disgrace of the present generation. When they were plentiful and easily accessible, there was little thought of preserving them, and they were slaughtered wholesale, half a century ago one could gather wild flowers within 5 miles of the G.P.O. north or south. Today, except in a few specially protected spots, a journey of 50 miles must be taken to see these flowers growing in their natural habitat. Their rarity makes them precious, and it is only now that the danger can be fully realised now is the time for action. The great menaces to' the native flora are bushfires and the professional flower pickers, and bushlovers are unanimously of the opinion that so long as the sale of flowers is permitted, the pickers will continue their depredations, which will result in the eJrly extinction of the flowers. Heavy finds have not stopped them”. THE MARK MORTON PRIMITIVE RESERVE: The Forestry Advisory Conference 1170577k “1-uoteF-71.1 lefter from the Department of Lands to a Trustee of the Mark Morton Reserve assuring the Trustee that “so long as the Reserve remains under the control of the Trustees for the purposes for which the Crown has provided it, and the Trustees adhere to their refusal to permit the cutting of timber thereon, so long also will the timber be protected from exploitation”. The date of this letter is not quoted and we suspect it may be several years old. At the Conference the S.B.W. motion “that an assurance be sought from the Minister for Lands that the Mark Morton Primitive Reserve will be retained in a primitive condition” was deferred until the Assistant Forestry Commissioner, Mr. Brown, had addressed the Conference. Mr. Brown ssid that no area had not been dedicated as a Primitive Reserve. It was gazetted as a reserve for public recreation and the protection of flora and fauna. The Lands Department had an idea of amalgamating a number of resei'ves in that part of thee,. untry, and would consult with the Forestry Commissio n on the subject. He personally did not like parks and trusts, because they had neither the powers nor the finance to manage the areas effieiently. He would like the whole or the timbered Crown lands or N.S.W. to be under the Forestry Commission, which had ne power and funds to manage them efficiently and protect them from fire. There can be little doubt that Forestry Commission control of parks would mean “selective cutting”, nor that the Commission still wants to get into the Mark Morton Reserve. The position therefore requires careful watching by conservationists. When our motion came 'before the conference it was enthusiastically supported by some delegates who had been to Barrettsand had vivid recollections of the beauty of the trees. An amendment seeking to water down our motion was refused by our delegates and the motion was carried without dissent. ERA LANDS: The S.B.W. motion “That the Minister for Lands be 71-5TF=Cre”d with a request that the recently resumed Era Lands bo left in their natural state except for the planting of further treetr was carried by the Conference. PLEA FOR PRIMITIVE AREAS: In a recent issue of the Auckland Weekly TOY-77777 an aFFT7Te by CT,M. Fowlds entitled “Reserve the Urewera” contains much that applies equally to Australia and its need to conserve primitive areas. The largest remaining forested area on the North Island, he states, is gradually being encroached into on all sides by the saw and fire, Apart from the aesthetic viewpoint, Yr. Fowlds advances three good reasons why such thickly forested and unspoiled regions should be protected: (1) as forest cover for the sourcos'of hydro-electric power; (2) as security for valuable farming areas, which suffer untold flood-damage where the up-country has been cleared and consequently eroded; and (3) as recreation reserves for an ever- increasing population. “In Southland” say 6 Mr. Fowlds, 438,000 acres of the Fiordland National Park have been exclusively reserved for a colony of the takahe (notornis) estimated to number not more than 100 birds. Is it too much to ask that 500,000 acres of the Urewera be reserved for the benefit of a million and a quarter North Island citizens? This would also at the same time provide a safe sanctuary kr the fast disappearing native bird life. 10, Admittedly there are a number of valuable public domains and reserves scattered over the North Island, butia large compact area of unspoiled forest is required while there is still time to secure it”. Thanks to the foresight 'of early surveyor generals, 'Nov! Zealand still possesses, in spite of the fury of the “hack and burn” policy, a number of unspoiled tracts belonging to different state departments. “But”, says Mr. Fowlds, “remember that in the past hundred years, according to one authority, a handful of people in this Dominion slashed a forest area greater than was cleared by millions of people in Western Europe from the days of William the Conqueror to the present time That will another century of alleged progress in this direction reveal? Surely not all New Zealanders hate trees? ….. Unless Parliament in the near future proclaims adequate protection over largely untouched blocks like the Urewera, can anyone guarantee that all future Governments could resist the pressure of special interests who, for a fleeting profit, would desire to exploit the forest cover of this area, which man could not recreate in a thousand years, and leave it a series of slashed and eroded hillsides and valleys?” Substitute Australian names for the New Zealand ones, and how well the cap fits. Here too it is true, as Mr. Fowlds remarks, that “the major portion of this mountain country is of such broken character that most of it is obviously unsuitable for successful farming, and its earmarking in this way (i e. as a National Park) would not hurt but promote the national interest. His final cry - Are we not in the position of trustees of a valuable forest heritage, which after being in the possession of our Maori fellow-citizens for 600 years, was handed over practically intact? Look what we'have done with it in a century - is echoed in our own conscience, with the added stigma that our heritage is older still - and that we have not the grace to rate its former trustees as “follow citizens”. COLLECTION OF TREE 'SEEDS FOR FREE DISTRIBUTION: This scheme, -slar7ted 7177-171=-76wspaper,has now b6en taken over by the Forestry Advisory Council, Collectors of seeds are advised to gather them just before the pods open. They should be taken from mature trees or shrubs and, if possible, after bees have been in the neighbourhood so that they will be fertile. The package should be marked with the name of the variety of tree and of the locality where collected. They should be sent to the Forestry Advisory Council, 17 Castlereagh Street, Sydney, 0/- Mr, Creswell O'Reilly. 11. KOALA SURVEY: The Fauna Protect on the whereaboutsof Koalas and in the areas shown on the map be thousands of koalas still living ion Panel received 109 reports has established that Koalas exist low. There appear to be some in the State. ea( ton t#' .Nrct4la. ' Tarr-A./Qv-Lila .5).) et-fe'2- wata le \ urL fiC ney _KOALA PISTRAIL2L101 AN Skacieci areas 'snelicvis virkeve i<oalas are rtow Probe:A-At wtsterri rtm it prey sous di titr'llat ii i on A NATIONAL PARK FOR SOUTH AUSTRALIA: Mr. H.A. Lindsay sends an ntern=r3=7177n of theAdjraide Bush Walkers' campaign for a National Park. At present there is no large park handy to Adelaide, though there is a 2,000 acre picnic and sports ground so described at Belair. The A.BR. surveyed a ninety-mile stretch of the Mt, Lofty Ranges and found that there was but one large area , of virgin forest left, a 5,000 acre tract which had never been out over or swept by fires, lying at Humbug Scrub, about 25 miles northeast of the city. (There is probably no such area anywhere in N.S.W. - Ed.) It was privately owned and valued at 218,000. After some months of work the A.B.W. had a pledge of support from one of the leading newspapers, a plan to make the park a war memorial, and promises of donations of up to 500. They then called a meeting to which every society which had flora and fauna oonservation as one of its declared objects was invited to send a representative. At the meeting various irrelevant objections were raised, the main theme of which was to leave it to the Government. The objectors were told that 80% of the great national parks in the world had come into existence not through any Government initiating the move, but because some private citizens fought a long and often costly battle to get it done (S.B.W, members will recognise the truth of this statement for N.S.W. at least.) Then a motion was moved that a trust be formed to get an option on the land with a view to raising funds for its purchase, but the motion lapsed for want of a seconder. After this reverse the A.B.W. carried on the fight alone. The owner of Humbug Scrub died and an official party which later went up to purchase the land failed to obtain it. The A.B.W. are now attempting to obtain a smaller area, and are placing their faith in a few business men rather than the learned societies. mmammsammmeallImi……MININI.mmlmsMOlumwe The next Walks Programme (March to June) will have to be complete for the January Committee meeting. Christmas holidays and the Walks Secretaryls holidays come during this month, which means that the programme will have to be completed during the next three weeks. But this should be ample time for all those willing walks leaders who have been inspired by the stimulating editorials recently published, to plan some fine walks. We have no doubt that, on reading this, they will reach for their maps and timetables, plan interesting and exciting walks, write them down with all details and spelling correct, and immediately convey them by hand or post to the Assistant Walks Secretary (Roy Bruggy). It is the winter programme, and we expect it to be a good one. 0 0 0 Congratulations and best wishes to Roy and Mary Braithwaite, who were married last month. o Discussing the number 62 Britishers who are coming to these shores and joining the Club, Gladys Martin cracked recently “Weill soon be able to call it the E.S. & A. (English, Scottish and Australian) Club”. 13. BOOKS IN YOUR LIBRARY. by The Librarians. For those who find the gallant attempts on Mt. Everest fascinating, we can recommend a really fine book - “Everest 33” - by Hugh Ruttledge. The drama and bravery of exploration and mountaineering are shown by the vivid pen of one who, besides being the leader of the 1933 attempt on Everest, has spent many years amongst the Passes and Peaks of the Alps and the Himalayas. Mr. Ruttledge tells sensatiOnal episodes expertly and forcibly and a lively wit and humorous understanding of life combine to make this a delightful book. Would you like to learn a bit more about mapping? We have some very interesting and instructive books, which can tell you all you wish to know. Prospective members please take note' If you read some of the following boo ks on mapping from your Library, we can guarantee that you will pass your mapp in test with flying colours. Things like direction finding at night, orienting a map, plotting one/s position, reading a map correctly can all be learnt from some of the many volumes at your disposal in the Club Library. Here are some which are sure to be of interest to you (1) Manual of Map Reading and Field Sketching. TErm:frEilTy TuoTTETilin:74,TaTET-Virth elementary map No.8 reading and develops into more detail, should be very interesting for anyone who wishes to pursue the subject more extensively. (2) Camping and_Woodcr aftby Horace JCephart. A book well worth while reading. The author treats everything No.81 from camp cooking and first-aid to map-reading and the history of lightweight gear. Mr. Kephart's obvious experience in woodcraft makes this a thoroughly intriguing book.. (3) Manual of Man Reading and Sketching. No.114-nalar-nTrT-aran7=0-77TUra. THE FEDERATION BALL: will be held at Sydney University Hall on 4th May. There will be novelties, prizes and dancing till 1 a m. Dress is optional. 14. THURAT SPIRES AND BIG MISTY. By R.J. Moakins. During a recent discussion on busbwalking events of the year , my attention was drawn to an article by W. Gillam entitled “An Easter Pilgrimage” which appeared in the issue of “The Sydney Bushwalker” for May 1950, An appended note suggested that the ascent of the Thurat Spires by the author and party, described in this article, was the first to be made, and information to the contrary was invited. Although it is probable that the route followed by this party is new there is a record of a previous traverse of the Thurat Spires by a different route. This trip is described by J.C. Barnard in The Bushwalker Annual” for 1939. My own introduction to the Spires was in November, 1947, in company with Rudy Lemberg, Alan Harper and Jack Mitchell the latter 'being here on a short visit from England. On that occasion we made the ascent from the junction of Kanangra Crook and Danaets Brook and later I descended about a hundred feet down the farther side of the . 4third spire to explore the possibility of getting on to Big Misty and completing the circuit back to Kanangra Walls, However, it :appeared that any further descent would be very dangerous without a length of rope. The following Easter 1 was with a party of six9 with sufficient time in hand for a day in the region of “The Walls” before proceeding dm our journey. A further exploration of the Spires seemed an axcellent way of occupying the ti'Lo and so a 50 foot length of rope was included in our equipment, Incidentally, it has formed a regular CoMponent of our equipment ever since then. Once again we approached the Spires by way of Smith7s Pass and the slope leading down to the junction of Kanangra Creek and Danaors Brook. It was a late start, shbwever, due to bad weather, and we did not reach the top of the third spire until ''tbout 2 p m. There was also some delay due to camera enthusiasts, for this region is the photographer's paradise. After enjoying the view for a while, and perhaps hesitating a little 'before facing the unknown, we moved cautiously down the far side of the spire. This face is very steep and, because of loos rocks, each foothold has to be carefully tested. About half-way down there iu a sheer drop on to a narrow ledge and here we established the rope, doubled around a friendly gum tree. As none of us had climbed much since childhood there was a pause here to allow for the screwing up of courage before taking to the rope and sliding over the edge. Doubts were soon overcome, however, and one after another we descended each man moving along t1-0 ledge to make room for the next, the last being required to gather in the rope. There followed some more very 6teep scrambling with rather loose hang and Coot holds, then another short “roping down”, and finally we were on the saddle. There was 15. still the long climb up Big Misty ahead of us, however, and we had no notion of what obstacles might be encountered. It turned out to be nothing more than a steep scramble and was actually one of the high lights of the trip because of the fine views which it provided. From the top of Big Misty a few Miles of easy walking brought us back to our camp at Kanangra Walls, where we feasted and settled down for the night, well satisfied with the day's exploit. I was so impressed with this trip that later, in November, 1948, I repeated it in company with a visiting American mountaineer, Professor James Bonner, of the California Institute of Technology. He was delighted with the beauty of the region and took many photographs both in colour and in black and white. As he has had many years of rock-climbing experience his comment on the climb down from the third spire towards Big Misty may be of interest i e. it is easy, but dangerous, and a belaying rope should be used for almost the whole of the descent“. mall col scven.12117….:1 MAP READING FOR MATT. %a- mucatr _ifs a necrol By Jim Hooper. Along the track no doubt you have seen a walker pause and examine his nap. He may just give it a glance, or twenty minutes later he might still be there frowning himself into a lot of worry. What is nap reading anyway? It is hoped that this series of articles ' will help, in a little measure, to an improved understanding of maps.- (1) WHAT IS MAP READING? LS= Many years ago someone told me C-A-T spelt one of those black furry things, and that it w-tsnq spelt with a “K, which doesn't look like the letter “Ca anyway. After a long time I learned to distinguish between the letters of the alphabet Map reading is like book reading because, first of All, you have to learn how to road0 you can't settle down to a good book and enjOy its contents without knowing what ideas are conveyed by the letters,' words and sentences. The more time you spend looking at each letter, the longer you'll take to read what is in front of you. As soon as you become accustomed to reading you will find yourself shimming over the letters to read whole words. Later on you skim over words to read whole sentences, and so on you go to get the full story. Reading Maps is exactly the same in principle. You became thoroughly accustomed to the signs and symbols you have to read. Instead of working out the meaning of each symbol you will be 16. astonished, after a while, to find that you are actually forming complete mental pictures of the area This was borne out recently by an unnamed person looking forward, with keen anticipation to his annual holidays. He was going up the North Coast. Off and on for weeks he studied his map. Arriving on locatio n” he had several days of quiet, then the place was swamped with tourists. Many were the questions they asked about the area. He answered most of these quite naturally and without much thought. . Yarning with some “locals” one day he suddenly felt himself speak I'out of turn” - at least he thought so Describing a way over a plateau he casually asked wbat the hut up there was like, The locals looked at him and didn't know. He hadn't been there himself either, What had happened? In studying the map with such keen anticipation Joe had simply made his impressions so strong that he didn't have to look at the map to know where the hut was located, (2) WHAT IS A MAP? If you were asked to record the appearance of a stretch of land, how would you do it? Writing a description of the area might help but you would need lots of no's;epaper., Your subsequent reader woUld need plenty of time to work the notes out Better still you could make a sketch, Or oil-painting of the scene from a high. hilltop. Taking a photograph is easier and more accurate but all these methods have a great disadvantage, The photos, etc., would only show ONE side of the valleys, hills and other features. Anyone walking through in the opposite direction would find your photos practically useless.,, Grab yourself a “sky-hook” or hitch a hike in a helicopter. Way up there you7ll change your outlook (if not air-sitk) and get a BIRDSEYE VIEW of the area. Photographs will show the Shape and all sides of hills and valleys with many other details. Creeks will be seen to wind their “downhill” way through valleys. Those bla0k9 square looking dots down below will be houses or huts. The whitish looking “sinew” sneaking up into the hills - sec it?. Over to the right a bit, just short sections of it making dashes through the, timber? That's a track. You will probably be climbing that one next week. A large percentage of our maps these days are comioiled with the aid of fterial photographs - the I birdseye view”, A map then is ft diagram, or plan, of an area of ground which, like an aerial photo, shows every worthwhile landmark in its correct proportion, or size, and its position in relation to other landMarks in the area. When you have once got the idea into your head that a map is not a npage from the notebook of a madman's drbamIt you will have out- - 17. manoeuvred a big obstacle. (Some people scare too easily when asked to nap read). Sit quietly with a map of an area with which you are previously acquainteC. Study the symbols printed on the,botton edge of the map, look for them, and compare them over the route you took when you last walked through the area. You will find some pleasure in doing that walk over again “on paper”. You will also find yourself recalling other little details. Who fell into the creek at se and so? John, or Jean, or someone, it Was - took a beautiful header into the drink, HOW WELL DOES THE MAP SHOW THAT SPOT ON T-TE CREEK? These things you can easily decide for yourself and, after a little practice, the apparent maze of lines and symbols on the map don't appear to be complex to you any longer.- Like letters of the alphabet, each symbol will convey a messae to you and in your mind's eye you will be visualising the bills, roads, railways, tall mountains and all other things which make finding your way and the selection of campsites much easier, even at night4 wa-saileiv bet,. HOT WEEKEND - by “The Missing Link” This is a story sad with woe Of a trip on the Cox not long ago. Though walking was hampered by the heat The swimming they say was hard to beat. There were nine male members out on a spree, Including a New Zealander named Lee, Now this here Kiwi, so I hear, Swims with his boots on - ain't that queer? And there was Phyl out on his own Left Bet at home there all alone To do the work, and oh, my gosh Phyl, what about the weekly wash? P00-2, poor Don with red raw nose Not the only burnt spot I suppose, Oh to have a skin so fair Especially when upon a chair. So the boys came home so burnt and sore Muttering sadly, no more, no more, Except young Bill, who said “All that Didntt worry me w ith my little hat.” But saddest of all was our friend Jim, On arriving home Mum said to him, “Youtre a bright s park, there's no mistake, Taking the dog's horsemeat, instead of steak: fl TWENTY YEARS AGO. Twentyfour years ago Paddy, recently arrived from England, wondered idly why no one catered for the needs of lightweight campers. (The wOrd Bushwalker” had not vet been invented.) Four years later, having been thrown on the labour market by that evolution of economic processes, known as the Depression, Paddy returned to his early idea of making gear for Bushwalkers. There were only a few folks in those days who had the peculiar desire to emulate the snail by sallying forth with house and furniture on their back. Paddy's friends were concerned that soon he would supply all the walkers there were with all the gear they wanted, and thus be out of business. However, after 20 years of ever expanding production the end is not yet in sight. Paddy had had experience of campingin England and had fairly definite ideas on lightweight gear, but he consulted the local experts (members of the S.B.W. of course). They offered him sound advice and gave him ready support. This exchange of ideas has been a constant feature of the business and Paddy has through the years attempted to repay the debt by service over and above the gupp ly of goods to the walking fraternity. After about 12 months the business began to grow and Oliver Wulf joined the firm. He is still with Paddy and is in charge of the production side of the business. Many walkers know Oliver as a sort of 'Tells ex Machine who appears at rare intervals for consultation on some knotty problem. The fact that promises of delivery made in the shop are almost invariably kept even in these difficult times is almost solely dug to Oliver's organising ability and his uncompromising attitude to rash promises- (1). The business of “Paddy Pailin” and its manufacturing side “Paddymade Manufacturing Company are now firmly established and known to walkers throughout Australia. Paddy takes this opportunity to thank all busbwalkers for their support and trusts he can serve them for many years to come. PADDY PALLIN, CAMP GEAR FOR WALKERS. YOU KNOW WHERE IT. IS.