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tions as to become an enthusiastic advertising medium, and though before and at the time of the transfer to the new building the accommodation was sorely taxed, complaints of discomfort were almost unheard. The rivers between Fairlie and the Hermitage are now all bridged, and a large number of people have taken advantage of this improvement to travel through in their own motor-cars. The service of the Mount Cook Motor Company has been maintained in a state of great efficiency throughout the season, and the trip from Fairlie to Hermitage and thence through to Dunedin via the Cold Lakes District and Queenstown has proved a very popular one. I append hereto several photographs of the new hostel, giving some indication of the structure and surroundings? Plans are now being prepared of a general scheme to properly lay out the grounds, and I hope to have this work put in hand at an early date. The hostel is undoubtedly an improvement which was urgently needed, and from reports I have received visitors are well pleased with the comfort it affords. During the season Mr. H. Otto Frind, A.C.C., spent some months at the Hermitage making a number of new ascents and visiting parts of the district which had been little visited before. Mr. Frind took a large series of photographs, and, through his courtesy, I am enabled to reproduce herewith an exceedingly fine selection of views, many of which are taken from new viewpoints, and will prove of great interest. The thanks of the Department and lovers of alpine scenery and sports are due to Mr. Frind for placing his photographs at the disposal of the Department for reproduction. A large number of climbers, both New Zealand and oversea, have visited the district during ihe season, and the following particulars of their achievements are supplied by the Chief Guide, Mr. P. Graham. There being at present no recognized alpine club in New Zealand, the particulars are included for the purpose of record should such an institution bo revived : — On the 4th December Dr. Ingles, of Dunedin, accompanied by D. Thomson and J. Richmond, made the ascent of Mount Elie de Beaumont (10,200 ft.) by the south face, and through the broken ice of the Yon Lendenfeldt Glacier, from Malte Brun Hut. On the 10th December Dr. Ingles, with Thomson, made the first traverse of Mount Mabel 6,858 ft.) and Mount Rosa (G,997 ft.), ascending the west face from the Hooker side until they reached the main arete, which was followed, traversing over both peaks, and going as far as tlie Hull Pass, then following that route down and back to the Hooker Hut. On the loth January Mrs. Lindon. of Bobart, also made the traverse of Mounts Mabel and Rosa from the Hooker Hut. After accompanying Mr. and Miss Chambers and Miss B. Holdsworth as far as Graham's Saddle, on their way to the West Coast, on the 10th January, Mrs. P. Graham, with P. Graham, made the first ascent of Mount Rudolf (9,."500 ft.) by the main north-east arete from Graham's Saddle, returning by the same route. On the 21st January Mr. Sloman and Professor Robinson, of Sydney, with P. Graham, made the ascent of the Mount Malte Brun (10,421 ft.) by the western arete from Malte Brun Hut, and descended the same way. On the 25th January Miss K. Gerard, of Christchurch, and Mrs. P. Graham, with D. Thomson and F. Milne, made the ascent of the Footstool (9,073 ft.) from the Sefton bivouac, ascending and descending the same way. On the 28th January Mr. H. Chambers and Miss B. Holdsworth, with P. Graham, made the first ascent and traverse of the east summit of Delimma Peak (8,350 ft.) from the Hooker Glacier north of Raureka Peak, ascending by the eastern face to the divide, and then on to the eastern arete, traversing the north face to the col between both peaks, reaching the summit by western arete, descending by eastern arete. From the 20th to 27th January a party consisting of Lieutenant G. Dennistoun, Messrs. J. R. Dennistoun, and S. L. King, A.C., with guide J. Richmond, made the first journey by a high-level route from the head of the Rangitata River to the Hermitage, via the Godley, Classen, Murchison, and Tasman Glaciers. On the Bth February Messrs. Franz Malcher and Jules Malcher made the first ascent and i; averse of an unnamed peak (7,542 ft.) on the Malte Brun Range from the Ball Hut. Crossing the Tasman Glacier fliey ascended by the main south-west arete to the summit, and descended by the western face. On the Bth January Mr. S. L. King, with 1). Thomson, made the ascent of Mount Darwin (9,715 ft.) by a new route, ascending by the north-west, face to the main south-west arete, which was then followed to the summit. A few days later Mr. Franz Malcher, D.0.E.A.V., also made the ascent of Mount Darwin by practically the same route, his brother and Mr. P. Ranfit accompanying him part of the way. On the 9th February Mr. S. L. King, A.C., with D. Thomson, climbed the Aiguille Rouge (9,731 ft.) by the north-west arete from the head of the Beetham Glacier, descending by the northeast face and rejoining their route on the Beetham Glacier, thence back to the Malte Brun Hut. On the 11th February Mr. H. O. Frind, A.C.C., with Conrad Kain and P. Graham, made the first ascent of Maungama (8,335 ft.) by rocks of Ngaromata Waterfalls on to Ngakanohi Glacier, following the glacier for its full length, and thence by the south-east snow arite to the summit. On the 14th February Mr. S. L. King, A.C., with D. Thomson and P. Graham, made an attempt on Mount Sefton by Zurbriggen's route, but owing to bad weather and the broken nature of the Huddleston Glacier the party had to return. On the 21st February Messrs. Franz Malcher, D.0.E.A.V.. Jules Malcher, and P. Ranfit made the ascent of the Footstool (9,073 ft.) by the main divide from the Copland Pass and north-east arete, descending by Fyfe's route to the Hermitage. On the 22nd February Mr. S. L. King, A.C., with D. Thomson and J. Richmond, made the ascent of Mount Cook (12,349 ft.) by the Linda Glacier (Green's route) from the Haast bivouac On the 22nd February Mr. H. O. Frind, A.C.C., with Conrad Kain and W. Brass, made the traverse of the high peak of Mount Cook, ascending by EarTe's route from the Hooker side, and descending by Green's route, on the Tasman side, to the Haast bivouac.