THE MEDICAL PICNIC TO THE HIGHER ALPS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10596, 17 February 1896, Page 3

THE MEDICAL PICNIC TO THE HIGHER ALPS.

Tbß Medical Congress parly who visited Mount Cook returned to town on Saturday night, after a very pleasant .trip.. The party numbered 25, &nd included medical men from all the neighbouring colonies. A start was made from Danedin on Sitnrd&y week last, Fairlie being reached ou the same night. On Sunday the party travelled aa far as Tekspa, and there spent the night. Most of them werescoommodnted at the hotel, but» few preferred to osmp out in tents, whioh were provided by the Government. The Hermitage was reached on the following day, and on Monday the patty divided itself into two sections, one section1 going to the foot of Mount Sefton. . The othere, who were in good climbing condition, crossed the Mueller Glacier to Sesly Range, and rc-aohed the Hermitage in a very few hours.: Mra Springthorpe acoompanied this party, and was the only lady to do so. On Tuesday morning the „ whole party crossed the Hooker river, and went up to the ice caves on the moraine. They afterwards visited Governor's Bush, about a mile and a-balf. distant, and picuielred there. After luncheon they proceeded fco an adjoining ravine, and did a little climbing. On Thursday morning the party commenoed their return journey, and reached Tekapo the same night. On the following day' they travelled to Fairlie, and on Saturday morning started for Timara, arriving in Dunedin by the express train at night., The party 'were bigbJv delighted with <: the trip, and sne»k in the highest terms of praise of Mr and Mrs Adamson at the Hermitage. There they met with every attention and comfort, and the arrangements1 made for their reception were most complete. The accommodation all along tbe route, they say, was also re»llv firstclaes. They, however, found the road a. little rough before getting to tbe Hermitage owing to recent rains; but tfco Government put socno Burfaoemen to work,'and on the return of tha party they conld get over the load without any trouble. It is the- intention of the party to write to the Government and thaok them for their attention and kindness in connection with the .trip ; and also point out the many advantages tha Hermitage pofseises as a health resort. .