Near Snow Line.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 99, 20 April 1914, Page 5

Near Snow Line.

THE MOUNTAIN HOUSE.

VERY SUCCESSFUL SEASON. The season for the Mountain Houses is now drawing to a close as the winter is fast setting in, and the Mounrain will soon take on its heavy cap of snow, making climbing rather too risky for the tyro. Our house this season has been very much in the public eye for quite a number of reasons. First, a new caretaker had been appointed, then the roads had been placed in first-class order, the houses thoroughly overhauled and renovated, and last, but by no means least, the Mountain Club was formed and 200 odd members enrolled. All these things tended to make the place “go,” and the house is now looked upon as a valuable asset to the town.

For the months of January, February, and March, over 750 names were placed on the visitors’ book, but this does not indicate all who visited the house, as quite a number fail to use the book. Drags and motor cars have often made the trip, and the roads have stood the strain splendidly. Xo accident of any kind has happened to man or beast, and with not a single exception has any one regretted their trip to the house. Daily visitors have had every requirement catered for, and no matter at what time of day or night (and very often drags, etc., have arrived in the small hours of the morning) they have come, good fires were burning, and water boiling, Also quite a number, of guests have stayed at the main house, where there is now accommowation to suit the most fastidious.

Dawson and Curtis falls have been visited by hundreds from this house, the new “lock-outs” by nearly everyone, and the . Mountain ascended by a very large number. The visitors’ book is full of remarks very favorablyexpressed towards the .beauties of the place, as well as towards the splendid attention and care given by the caretakers. ■ Mr Williams, who is constantly on the move in order to make the place popular, is quite convinced that, given a metalled road to this house, the accommodation would need to be trebled in order to meet the requirements of the extra visitors. The house, the site, and the splendid grade of the road, and the short distance from the railway station (only 9 miles) should make it the ; most popular house on the Mountain.

Visitors from afar (from Wanganui down) are very surprised at the laxity shown by the “someone” who is responsible for this house not being boomed as it should be. All, without exception, state that the requirements of the traveller by the‘trains are met more by this house than any other; first, on account of being enabled to proceed to their destination the same night as they arrive, and come in from the house in the morning in ample time to get the express south, without rising too early. On account of the requisition of quite a number of past visitors,, and the Mountain Club in particular, the manager is going to stay on right through the winter, and have the ■accommodation always in order as in the summer months.

Last Tuesday’s heavy rain did some damage to the track, but yesterday extensive repairs ivere effected. A good stretch of track was re-formed, and over the most of the distance other steps were taken to keep the water out of the wheel-ruts. The working party consisted of the caretaker (Mr Williams), the secretary of the Mountain Club, the secretary of the A. and P. Association, the secretary of the Acclimatisation Society and the secretary of the Motoring Club, and for three men they did quite a lot of work. To-day’s rain may possibly do some further damage to the track, hut the secretary of the Mountain Club says the Club is determined to keep the way open throughout the winter. To this end it is proposed to endeavor to get a working bee of as many members as possible in order to mend the whole of the track thoroughly. In the meantime, Mr Williams intends to patch it whenever occasion offers.