RANGATAUA

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7018, 5 January 1910, Page 2

RANGATAUA

fnon cuh own coeeebpoNdent. January i. Three parties made the mountain trip last week. Two were on foot and camped in the subalpine scrub. The . third, a party of four ladies and three gentlemen, left Eangataua on horseback on Friday at 6.30 a.m. with the intention of climbing the Mangaehuehu glacier and returning to Eangataua the same 'day. The journey through the beech forest was much enjoyed, the scarlet mistletoe, “To maui o te, Tane," being one of the features. ;The ‘.‘Eangataua Pet" (the bad weather cloud) stood out boldly above their heads about 10 o’clock, lying iu the sky to the south-east of the mountain, and & very strong wind was rising, the upper part of the mountain' being hidden behind the flying clouds. The weather: looked anything but favourable, but the riding party pushed on. Further on they dismounted, and, leavr ing the horses under the lee of . some, stunted bush, started of! on foot ' over the scoria. .The wind had now risen to a terrific gale, but, as there was plenty of time, the ladies decided to proceed. The gale was the. heaviest experienced by the guides .on the mountain, “ but the ladies did. .hot give in, and arrived at the snow line at 1 p.m. Another hour would have seen them at the glacier, but rain now came down, in torrents, so, after a brief rest under a rock, the’ party retraced their steps,' carrying of! as a trophy a thermos flask, (which hud provided the party with a hot cup of tea at the snow' line) full of, frozen snow,, which, being left in the flask; did not thaw in three days.! The party strived in Eangataua at- 6 p.m., drenched but triumphant. The . ladies were the Misses F). and O. Bankart, Woodhouso and Snow. This route, being easy of access and picturesque, is becoming popular, and there are' many; inquiries trom intending mountaineers. ■; Eangataua has been fairly quiet during the holidays, as the sawmills ■ and Powell Process Works: are closed for Christmas. , '.

Mr Sanderson's three shops- in . the main street,' -which are an improvement; to the town, aro ; how completed/ ] two being already tenanted. 1 Mr'George-Smith's two-story building in Miharo street is progressing, as are several smaller ones in different parts of the town. , :

The Government road works are also progressing slowly. * ’"