History of HTG Hut

Most of the following comes from a Griff published in 1974 on the 21st Anniversary of HTG.

For details on the consenting of the huts and land go to the specific page here

A HISTORY OF THE HTG HUT

Before The hut

About 1955 cavers visiting Waitomo area set up a base in a two roomed whare on Charlie Gudgeons' farm (luckie Strike, Burr and Ernie's waterfall cave). The farm now belongs to Paul Verry. This was known as NZSS Field Headquarters. When Charlie sold his farm woolsheds became the bases for caving activities. Some popular ones were Riddles! (Iost World), Blacks (Virginia) Stubbs, Wildmans (Rumbling Gut) and Dimonds. From 1959 Dimonds woolshed became the headquarters for HTG and other cavers. The woolshed gradually acquired some comforts including a small stove, some old mattresses and a sink. The walls gradually became wallpapered with posters of every description. A popular sleeping place was "up in the daggs! a loft with belly wool.

Guests of the woolshed will have memories of electric chairs, electric lavatories with water that gushed out the wrong places and unexpected explosions in the night. This woolshed had occupants most weekends, sometimes up to twenty cavers.

The idea of having a club hut of our own was discussed at a meeting on April 13, 1961. Firstly, it was envisaged that a lmt would be built. On Michael Haggas! farm was an ex-roading contractors hut that the committee thought would be suitable for the club's needs. This building consisted of two army huts 20 feet long by 8 feet wide joined by a four foot wide passage way. They had been on that site for about a year and previously for about a year in the Waitomo Camping ground. In June 1961 the hut was purchased from Michael Haggas for £40.00 ($80.00).

During the following months a site was excavated on G.C. Dimond's farm at Waitomo the piles removed from under the hut and set in place on the new site. The big shift was on August 12/13, 1961. A truck had been borrowed from Hamilton, each half of the hut was jacked up and the truck backed under. The twenty foot length of the hut was a little long for the length of the tray of the truck.

This caused the front wheels to almost leave the ground and make steering just about impossible. To overcome this a number of persons had to sit on the front mudguards to hold the front down. No permit was obtained to shift these huts. Maybe they weren't required in 1961. These two huts were placed on the ground eight feet apart and were joined by a roof and floor. 

To raise money to develop the hut two giant film and slide shows were held in Te Kuiti and Hamilton which raised $95.00. Housie was played at meetings for a period to help boost funds. All the furniture and fittings were donated or begged. Among donations were timber, furniture, stove, fridge, cutlery, plates, etc. 

Opening the hut 

The hut was officially opened on June 9, 1901 by Algy Watson, President of NZSS. A large gathering of cavers and farmers were present for the ceremony and afternoon tea. The hut had cost $255.00 to that date. In the evening a party was held which really "launched" the hut. The opening was somewhat marred by an accident in Papamaru next day. Most persons present at the party helped with the rescue during all of Sunday night. Some of the rescuers "suffered" more than the victim.  The hot water cylinder was donated in appreciation of the rescue of Jocelyn Bullock by her parents. 

The Early Years 

During the first year 165 persons stayed in the hut for a fee of 20 cents per night. Those days weren't as comfortable as now. No shower, only cold water and a "long drop" bog on the edge of the bush. The hut was always locked and members wishing to use it had to obtain a key and leave a deposit of 25 cents to ensure the key was returned. Hut fees for the first twelve months were $33.00. In 1963 the shower and washbasin were added. A bunk in the large bunkroom was built. The small bunk room contained a double bed. 

Further Developments 

In 1967 a lean-to roof and concrete floor were added. This was open to the front and side. A quarter acre of land on which the hmt stands was donated to the group by Peter Dimond. The section was surveyed at a cost of $90.00. It was not until 1974 that the group eventually acquired the title of the section.

Later this year a septic tank and flush toilet were added. In 1968 the drying room was completed. It was decided to start a fund for a new hut. Half the lmt fees were to be placed in this fund. For a period raffles were held at meetings and a couple of bottle drives were held to boost funds. In 1970 Youth Hostel members started to make regular use of the hut for overnight stays and this revenue helped the finances considerably. The HTG hut has become a meeting place and starting place for most caving trips in the Waitomo District. The hut provides overnight accommodation or place just to make a cup of coffe or have a shower. Some equipment and a comprehensive cave rescue kit are kept there. Most trips in the area are recorded in the log book and the destination board is useful in case of an emergency. A lot of people must have a lot of happy and interesting memories of their visits to the little red hut.  During the past twelve months [1974] 2,837 persons stayed paying fees of 40c, HTG members 50c, NZSS members and 80c all others.

The Future (as of 1974)

In 1973 it was decided to build the first stage of a new hut to consist of kitchen, dining room and lounge. The building is being built by apprentices at the Waikato Technical Institute in Hamilton. It was started in June 1974, The building will be transported to Waitomo. The total cost is expected to be just over $8000.

HTG offered the road

In December 1975 WDC realigns Waitomo Road as shown in the aeriel photo below. It provisionally offers piece of stopped road to HTG

By November of 1976 HTG has an archived letter from WDC legal firm confirming acceptance of HTG purchase (payment of 2 years) of piece of road, WDC confirm intent to legally stop the road, local objection raised by Green family. Even though the road is clearly not in use its only in June of 1983 that the unformed road is legally stopped by WDC. Then in 1986 there is a transfer of title from WDC to HTG  for end of road section (Section 37 Block X Orahiri).  In 1986 HTG holds an Extraordinary General Meeting to approve proposed hut developments: move single persons hut from Whatawhata Hill Country Research Station, relocate bunks from one hut and create new kitchen / living areas.

For details on the consenting of the huts and land go to the specific page here