VISIT TO THE MOUNTAIN HOUSE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 9294, 21 January 1892, Page 2

VISIT TO THE MOUNTAIN HOUSE.

«— BENEFICIAL EFFECT OF OUTING. BEST HEALTH RESORT IN THE f COLONY.

Although the house recently erected on the mountain tor tourists to stop in has not yet been publicly opened> visitors are going there in large numbers. Mr and Mrs F. J. Jones, Mr and Mrs Cartbow, and others, who formed a party of about fourteen, have just returned from an eight days' visit to the mountain, and they all epeak in th*, most enthusiastic terms of the benefit they have derived from their outing. Mr Jones saya he cannotspeak in too strong a manner in advising persons who are looking about for a health resort to go on to tho mountain and stay there for a week. Ho says he has visited the health resorts in most parts of the colony, but in no other placo has he felt tho oxhilarating influence nor derived so much benefit in so short a time aa he has from the short visit to the Mountain House. The change acts like magic, he says, and although previous to starting their appetites had been far from good, when on the mountain side' they seemed never to be able to eat enough. The nights are cool, and visitors can do with three good blankets over them. They Bleep soundly, but wake in the morning " like giants refreshed," with 1 their Btrenglh renewed ; and in every way invigorated. Early in the morning tho sight from the house, he says, is very grand. Being in such an excellent state of health the visitors are always ready for their breakfast when it is ready. He adviseß thoao who go up, to ba sure to take with them double the quantity of food they are in the habit of consuming, for, Mr Jones saye, they will want it. His party took with them a quantitj of frosh meat, which lasted them only three days, as well | as* extras in shape of cooked hams, 1 preserved meat, &c, and the party found ' they had not taken anything too much with them. Mr Carthew, Mr Jones, and his daughter, who is about eleven years of age, made an ascent of thr l mountain, all reaching the top, tho young lady being the youngest who, we beieve, has achieved that feat. Mr Jones advises anyone going to the top to take a qualified guide with them, and not to trust to any who may assert that they know the way having been there before. He describes his experience as a. very uncomfortable one when crawling along a dangerous snow ridge, thirty feet long, which might have been avoided if a guide had been there to show them an easier way uo. Mr Jones speaks highly of Mr Peters, the caretaker of tho house, and guide up the mountain. lie says he is very moderate in his charges, and most obliging to the visitors. Those ÜBing tho house are charged a shilling a night, and children half-price. Mr Jones seems to have enjoyed hia outing amazingly, and gives a Vory enthu siastic description of the place, saying, aa ho loft our office :— " If anyone wants to onjoy themselves, toll them to take a week on tho mountain. I shall never go anywhere elso when I want ai outing."