Combined Clubs web site
This is now up and running so check this out. There is basic one page info on each member club plus a link to get to that Club’s web address. It is proposed that over time further pages will be added but at least for now we are on the WWW.
go to www.4wd.org.nz

Carter Holt Harvey Forest
Access to three CHH Forest areas (Mt Thomas, Balmoral & Ashley/Okuku) has been going through the re-negotiation process with a revised agreement being finalised – or so we thought.
A point in the revised agreement has not been confirmed by the CHH representative and discussions on this point are continuing. In the meantime two trips have been postponed until this latest hiccup can be resolved.
One point of note is that Clubs are now able to scrutineer their own members vehicles as Club vehicle requirements are more strict than that required by CHH.

Tracks, Access and Other Matters
Ahuriri.
A letter noting a legal point over the closure has been sent to the appropriate authority in relation to access to this area. To date no reply has been received.

Leigh Camp
Discussions on the sole rights to using the Leigh Camp area have broken down.
The landowner was not prepared to sign away sole rights to the Comb Clubs and
without this the Comb Clubs felt the cost was not acceptable.

Big Hut
The fundraising for restoration work to the Big Hut on the Rock and Pillar Range is
nearing its target. The Comb Clubs is only $100 away from its target of $1000
towards this Hut. The Comb Clubs especially wish to thank the Southland Land Rover Club for their donation towards this project.
http://www.middlemarch.co.nz/big_hut/index.html

ECAN
A good day was had recently at Corner Creek on Glenthorne Station property.
Ecan were extremely pleased with the result achieved. A mixture of Comb Clubs
members and tramping clubs turned out for the day and removed the pines in the
target area.
An article about this recently appeared in the ECAN newsletter.

DOC
Two Comb Clubs members were invited to speak to a meeting of DOC Area Managers and Regional Conservators in CHCH recently and the result from that meeting was very positive.
Part of the address was an initiative by the Comb Clubs to locate appropriately worded signs on regularly accessed tracks advising users to treat the area kindly.
IE a “you abuse it, we all loose it” philosophy.

FARMING ACCESS
A timely reminder (from the above note) is to treat Farmers’ property with respect. Attached is a copy from the Farming Bulletin on the issues of access as relates to Farmers.