MOUNT COOK.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 267, 8 November 1923, Page 8

MOUNT COOK.

LECTURE BY MR. WIGLEY. The rugged grandeur of tho Southerr I the beauties of New Zealand , ! , snow country to he enjoyed by the ! visitor to tho Hermitage, Mount Cook, and the story of his ascent of the Dominion's highest peak in August of thii year, were vividly portrayed last nighl at St. Andrew's Hall, when a huge assembly heard Mr. P. L. Wigley, ol Timaxu, deliver an interesting lecture i profusely illustrated with lanU-rn slides I The lecturer, who enriched his narra I tive with a. wealth of dry humour, dwell jat length on the picturesque nature ol ■ the snow-clad peaks and glaciers. Man} I tourists and alpinists had 'been amazei: at the grandeur of the scenery. In main ways, declared the speaker, our owr snow-country "knocked spots off Swit zerland. ,. The story of the ascent o1 Mount Cook, with two Xew Zealand guides, illustrated the hazardous natnn of the climb, which had never previously been accomplished in winter. It was fraught with danger, and many notec climbers were surprised that the feat had been nohimed, it having been though! impossible. Mount Cook, rising 12,34f feet ahovc sea-level, could be seen fron the front door of the up-to-date Hermi tage, which was 48 hours' journey fron" | Auckland. The lecturer, whose treat i n|ent of |tha subject was thoroughly appreciated, was accorded a vote ol I thanks. i