NEW ZEALAND ALPS

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 33, 8 August 1934, Page 17

NEW ZEALAND ALPS

EXHIBITION OF PICTURES

Evidence of the keen interest now being taken in mountaineering in New Zealand was given at the Blue Triangle Hall on Monday .evening, when more than 200 people assembled to witness tho special screening of alpine pictures given under the auspices of tho Wellington Section of the New Zealand Alpine Club. Mr. A. "P. Harper, a life member of. the English and New Zoaland Alpine Clubs, presided, and among tho audience were thoir Excellencies the Governor-General and Lady Bledisloe.

Tho proceedings opened with an interesting series of coloured views of New Zealand Alpine scenery and flora upon which a delightful running commentary was given^. by Mr. Harper. These included scenes of his early explorations, in company with the late Mr. 0. E. Douglas, in the neighbourhood of tho Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers and of the Copland and Karangarua Valleys more than forty years ago, pictures of the glorious mountains in the Tasinan Glaeer region, ana illustrations of the mysterious country beyond Lake Alabaster and tho Arawata Biver from which a lost party of climbers was rescued by aeroplane last Christinas. Mr. Harper pointed out that tho first-class mountaineering country in the Southern Alps extended over a region of 200 miles long by from 50 to 75 miles wido, and contained the world's largest glaciers outside tho Himalaya and Polar regions, many firstclass peaks of from over 10,000 feet to 12,349 feet in height and only 15 miles from the sea, and that the permanent snow-line there averaged 3500 feet lower than that in Switzerland. So remarkable were these features in the Southern Alps that they evoked astonishment among' alpinists who camo from abroad, and Mt. Tasnian (11,475 feet) was regarded as the most beautiful mountain outside the Himalayas. Many of the scenes shown were exceptionally beautiful, especially those of tho mouujtai flora, which were given in their natural colours. Mr. L. Wilson, NXA.C, followed by i displaying a remarkably line series of views, also in natural colours, of the little known Kakaia ana Eatigitata districts, those of tho remarkable and very lovely Mt. Evans being specially appreciated. Ho also showed somo ox-r-cllent pictures of the Mt. Cook and Godley districts. These were followed by a cinema film of the Mt. Aspiring and surrounding districts.

The exhibition was the most successful yet given under the auspices of tho Alpine Club, and was much appreciated. .

On' the motion of Lord Bledisloo a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Messrs. Harper and Wilson, his Exeolloncy remarking that he regretted his approaching departure would discontinue his growing acquaintance with J\o«- Zealand's magnificent . mountain scenery and flora. The proceeds of tho entertainment will s° towards tho erection of a. hut in lh<; Godley district.