MOUNT COOK AND ITS WONDERS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 3284, 7 April 1885, Page 3

MOUNT COOK AND ITS WONDERS.

Now that a comfortable hotel is on the eve of completion at the foot of Mount Cook, there is little doubt that the stream of tourists anxious to view the glaciers and other wonderful scenery m tho neighborhood of the giant of tho Southern Alps, will be largely increased. The fact of there having been no proper accommodation there hitherto, has debarred hundreds of people from attempting to visit the Mackenzie Country, as, though thoy were aware that the station-holders would afford them a hearty welcome, it was' only natural they should have feelings of delicacy m trespassing too far on the good nature of the hospitable folk who have made it their home. Add to this that all tourists are not accustomed to camping out under canvas at such a high altitude, or even to cooking a chop, boiling tea m a " billy," or making a mess of "kea stew," and it is not to be wondered at that so little attention has. been paid by them to the Mount Cook district. In future, however, they will, so far as food and shelter are concerned, have nothing to fear, for the Hormitage, recently erected by Mr Huddleßtone, has been built with a view to providing all possible comforts for both soxes, small or great, young or old. The Hermitage is situated in' the valley of the Hooker, seven mile 3 from Birch Hill Station, and immediately under the lateral morain.e of the Mueller Glacier. It has substantial cob walls — the best material possible for a cold climate,— is roofed with iron and matchlined, contains one storey and eleven rooms, including lavatories. Roughly speaking, fully thirty persons can be accommodated. From the verandah of the house a splendid view can be obtained of Mount Sef ton, on the side of which avalanches are pften observable. Half a minute's walk from the Hermitage enables tourists to view Mount Cook m all its mightiness and grandeur. Before, however, this wonderful region oan be properly and easily visited, several improvements are necessary. In the first place the roads leading via Pukaki sadly want making or repairing so as to enable traps to drive right up to tho Hormitage The Mackenzie County Council have done not a little m the matter, but there still remains a great deal to be done. Mr Huddlcstone has been granted a email sum by tho Council to form the road from Birch Hill to the Hermitage, and this work is m hand. But it is to bo hoped that ere next.Spriug comes round, there will be a thoroughly good track all the way from Timaru to the above place, nothing bo far having been dons from Pwk'i old. out-itatioo

to Birch Hill, a distance of some 21 miles. There is still another matter which should be taken into consideration, and it is one of vital importance to the public of this district as a whole. We refer to the bridging of the river Ohou. At the present time the only means of crossing it is by a wire rope cradle between the Ben Ohou and Ben More runs. Good roads are m existence, and only require a bridge to connect Canterbury with Otago. Were the work completed the Lake district of the latter would be joined to the Mackenzie Country, and tourists could travel right through from Timaru, via Mount Cook, to the lakes, or vice versa, instead of having to return to the sea coast, and make a double journey. Tho estimated cost of a first-class bridge over the Ohou is about £1200, and we see no reason why the Mackenzie and Waitaki Counties should not share this between them, especially considering tho immense benefit both would derive from being thrown open to the inspection of people from all parts of the world. Pressure of matter precludes us from going at any further length into the matter m this issue, but we shall have something more to say about it shortly. We are sure, however, that the people of South Canterbury will agree with us when we say that Mr Huddlestone deserves our best thanks for his enterprise m trying to attract tourists to the Mount Cook region, and will wish him that success which ho deserves. We may mention that no less that 52 tourists visited Mr Huddlestone's during tho past two months.