MOUNT COOK.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9513, 10 April 1909, Page 5

MOUNT COOK.

[Per Press Association.] TIMARU, April 10. Messrs J. Craigie, M.P., and T. Buston, M.P., who accompanied the Hon T. Mackenzie to Mount Cook, seturned to Timaru this morning. )he party was favoured with good weather, the motor run to the Hermitage on Tuesday affording a splendid view of Aorangi. A section of twenty miles of tlie road between Pekapo and Pukaki was found to be in bad order, but after that the road was well metalled, and the creeks bridged to within nine miles of tha . Hermitage, was fine weather «n I Wednesday for the ascent to 801 l Hut, which was reached at 5 o'clock. Splentlid views were obtained of the Alpine scenery. On Thursday morning a start was. made for the Malte Brun, ten miles further on. The two local members covered four miles of^ the journey and then had to return in order, to. reach Timaru on Saturday. The Minister's party proposed to return to the Hermitage on Friday morning, but were imprisoned at the Ball Hut by, torrential rain and will not be able to get back till to-night. The accommodation at the Hermitage was found to be inadequate, but - definite information of future proposals is not ascertaixiable until the Minister's return. Messrs Craigie and Buxton both favour expenditure for improving the meaas, of access rather than for providing luxurious accommodation. r