WEALTHY MAN BUYS MOUNTAIN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17853, 22 May 1926, Page 10

WEALTHY MAN BUYS MOUNTAIN.

GENEVA, April 1. The Grossglockner, “The Tyrolese Matterhorn,” 12,454 ft. high, near Innsbruck, which is the most popular climb in the Tyrol or Austria, was bought by a wealthy German, Herr Weiler, of Essen, some years ago from the local communes. He wished to close the mountain to Alpinists, but his project roused such a storm of indignation among climbers of all nationalities that he temporarily abandoned it. It is now stated that, the German proprietor intends to enforce his legal rights and prohibit the mountain this summer to Alpinists. It appears that Herr Weiler desires to create a private Alpine reserve in which to raise game for his own purposes on the slopes and forests of the mountain. He has every right to do so, and can even claim the protection of the police to prevent persons visiting his private Alpine park, thus depriving Alpinists of one of the finest climbs in the European Alps. Climbers hope that the Austrian Alpine Club will prevent the closing of the mountain, which would deprive Alpinists of every country of a pleasI ant holiday.