Any good therefore that I can do – Mt Arthur Hut

 I expect to pass this way but once.
Any good therefore that I can do,
Or any kindness that I can show to my fellow creature,
Let me do it now.
Let me not defer or neglect it,
For I may not pass this way again

I have visited the Mt Arthur hut many times, usually prior to getting thrashed in the weather on the way to a cave higher up in the karst. I have always appreciated the quote carved into one of the seats outside. It looks like it has been there since the hut was constructed, though I am not sure of this. I wonder if anyone knows?

The first time I saw the quote I had no camera, but I copied it down onto the inside of the paper wrapper off a Whittakers bittersweet chocolate block. On my latest visit I was inspired to take a photo and write about it.

I know that Leave No Trace is about leaving things as you find them, and would usually discourage graffiti in a hut, but in this case the carving has become part of history. When does graffiti or rubbish become historic artefact? This has been blogged about before:
http://leavenotracenz.blogspot.co.nz/2011/10/rubbish-or-historic-artefact.html
http://leavenotracenz.blogspot.co.nz/2009/12/activity-rubbish-or-treasure.html

When researching this post, I also found a couple of interesting stories from the States around the same issue:
http://www.adirondackexplorer.org/outtakes/old-beer-cans-history
http://www.outtheremonthly.com/trash-or-artifacts/

To me, the quote is perfect for this hut, which is small, and very popular. Consequently visitors here must necessarily be considerate of one another - share the cooking space, make room on the bunks or offer to sleep on the deck outside. I have been hearing for the past couple of years that DOC is considering replacing the hut with a larger one, to be located up on the ridge above the bush line. Quite apart from the obvious problems with increased exposure up there, I think it would be sad to lose this hut, to lose the character and the spirit of sharing it engenders. Will the quote be replicated and carved into a bench at the new hut?
Contributed by Pip Rees, LNT Board Member