HOUSE ON MOUNT EGMONT.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XL, Issue 9269, 19 December 1891, Page 2

HOUSE ON MOUNT EGMONT.

TO THB EDITOR, Sir,—Your correspondent "Indignant" on Monday appears bo determined to persiut in making mis-statetnents regarding my viat to this place which are both unfounded and uncalled for. It seems imperative that I Bhould ask you to publish on behalf a plain statement of the whole thing from the beginning, in order to clear myself from this imputation of unworthy motive in my occupying a portion of this building before completion. The account of Mr Skinner's rapid recovory from a lingering illness by his short visit to the house was really the inspiration which set me thinking ani enquiring with a liew to securing a similar benefit for a few others and also for myself, for a prolonged attack of la grippe rendered a change of Bomo sort very desirable. On enquiry I was informed that Mr Weetman should be applied to. That gentleman told me he could not give the permission, as the building was still in the hands of the contractor, but that if I obtained his consent, he thought no one would object. Shortly after this interview, on the same day, 18th November, I met Mr Skinner in town, and after a few minutes conversation in the street, he most cordiilly gave the permission (no persuasion necessary), and promised to quickly vacate the ladies' loom, the only ono finished, and which he and his men were using, so I at once resolved to make the attempt to organise a party, and set to work choored with the hearty approval of those to whom tho plan had been mentioned, forgetting for the nonce the possibility of " snakes in the grass." These are the facts as to the orgin of the business, and it was nevor contemplated to extend the visit beyond a fortnight, for it was supposed the houae might be finished before Christmas and open to the public. Thero never was a thought of having invalids at the hut during the tourists 1 ' season, when rest and quiet would be impossible, and tho sole object of their visit be defeated. This " Indignant's" inferences are again all false, the information he has received is a misrepresentation -from begining to end. Not one word has been uttered by me as to the " Bpec paying" that bit of slang is Indignant's own. I naturally wished to cover the cost of the undertaking, which, on calculation, I found was more than I could afford, unless several would join, and so lessen it for each. At tho last, some who thought of going we unable to do so, hence my unfortunate advertisement which first roused " Indignant," but which he will be pleased to know, failed to add to oar number. But when I had once arranged for the provisions, and had agreed with Mr Tarry to convey these and the bedding to tho hut, I could not honorably draw back, or cause Buch disappointment to the few who were desirous to go. Therefore the start was made with a very small party, and tho certainty of loss. Thero has never been a boast of any philanthropic intention, further than to express the hope, that should a satisfactory tost be obtained by the experiment of the health giving influence of this clear, mountain air, it might be some little help towards bringing Taranaki into more favorable public notice. But as to any future pecuniary benefit to myself, nothing in the world is more unlikely. If a Sanatorium at th's elevation should ever be considered desirable, / have no means for furthering such a speculation, or for sharing in it, in the remotest degreo, much as I would like to prom te any such scheme for the relief of suffering — on Nature's methods—rather than the usual persistent drugging. It is not easy ■to understand why my convictions on this subject should have elicited such a cynical sneer from "Indignant," for I am not singular—a great number think witli me,—but if my " auvitour medico " proclivities have ever injured him, or any of his, ho should let me know it. I havo not, however, tha slightest conception of tho identity of the individual. Still, lam sorry for him, or for anyone who cherishes such a raneourous disposition. Ho might havo chosen a more worthy object of attack than a woman nearly (50 years of age, whom lie probably imagines is unablo to defend herself. Is it considered manly to so traduce one in the public PreßS, without any cause ? or to take advantage of my absence from town to publish such letter h, whon it was impossible for me to promptly reply ? And while my namo is made public, why does he conceal his own? I don't know who "New Chnm " is, but I thank him for his word of help. His suggestion re an hotel may be premature, though it is quite certain (and I havo never thought oth ,nviso) that this building can never be utilised for any but its original purpose—a temporary rest for tourists or mountain parties. It is more than a but, however, and deserves a better name, which the authorities will no doubt give it in due time. You will bo pleased to Jeara that the contractor hopes to get the house taken over in time for the Christmas parties to have the benefit of it. During tho recent dry weather the sledges havo done good service in levelling the road, and now material is being brought up more rapidly. The contractor for this wortc has been laid up with la grippe, and on partial recovery had to nurso the whole of liis family, iU from the same cause. Now, however, he isi ,able to be at work again, which is a great 1 relief to the carpenters who aro now working vigorously early and late, ueing up the material, which, at last, is to hand. . Hoping for an oarly opportunity of sending this to your office.—l am, &c, M. Collis.