THE SOUTHERN ALPS

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 160, 8 July 1899, Page 5

THE SOUTHERN ALPS

Last evening another of the excellent series of winter entertainments was given in the V.M.C.A. Rooms, the attraction on this occasion being an interesting lecture delivered by Mr P. Marshall, M.A., B.Sc, on "Mountaineering in the Southern Alps." The lecture Avas illustrated by a large number of beautiful views of scenery amongst the Southern Alps, including glaciers, ice-falls, rushing icefed .rivers, and piercing mountain peaks.

Mr Marshall gave a very well-told account of his climbing expeditions amongst the giant mountains of the South Island, and helped the audience to understand the localities by means of sketch maps of the ranges and glaciers. The views shown included splendid pictures of Mount Cook, Mount Sefton, the Malte Brun Range, the Hooked River, the Mount Cook Hermitage, the Tasman Glacier, and many other pictures illustrating the attractions and dangers of Alpine climbing. Two pictures were shown showing the celebrated Mt. ' Cook Lily,, and Mr Marshall gave a vivid description of the beautiful flowers of the Alpine regions. Amongst other things he also gave an amusing account of the habits of the rapacious kea parrot —by the way, Mr- Marshall fell into the common error of mispronouncing- the- name of this bird as "kia," instead of "kea"—and in concluding spoke of the great fascination which the pursuit, of mountaineering exercised over all who had ever tried the recreation. At the close of the lecture Mr Marshall was accorded a very cordial vote of thanks. Mr C. W. Hemerv presided, and the lecture hall was .'crowded..