MOUNTAIN CLIMBING

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 34, 4 November 1920, Page 5

MOUNTAIN CLIMBING

LECTURE BY MR. S. TURNER, F.B.G.S. Mr. Samuel Turner, F.R.G.S.. of ■Wellington, the well-known alpine climber. gave an illustrated lecture in the Concert Chamber last evening in aid of the funds Tor the improvement of the grounds of the . Wadcstown School. The lecture waß full of interest from beginning to end. Mr. Turner, who was introduced -by Mr. W. H, Field, JI.P.. president- of the Tararua Trampins Club, has climbed mountains in tour continents, and his lecture was based on his personal achiercmentß, freely illustrated with dozens of very won-, derful and beautiful views. He. in the first place, transported his audience to the Swiss Alps, 'and showed with h!» slides various aspects of Mount Blanc .and the Mattcrhorn. and Bliowed how he climbed the latter in company with Professor Hurray, of the Lnzanne University (after>vard.a loft in the Antarctic vrlien a, member of the Mawson Expedition). Then, after a elimpse of Moscow, his hearers wore taken via Tomsk to tho Altai Mountains, in Siberia, where he did some notable (climbing, and discovered a neisl range of mountains (for which he was awarded a. medal and certificate by the Imperial Russian Government). Some virtwa were then shown of the giant Aconcagua. in the Andes, which -Mr. Turner climbed in record time, only being absent seven days in alt Trom Buenos Aim. After 'South America he turned to the Southern Alps, and Here Mr. Turner hns made a .special niche for himself in the tompTe 'oT alpine fame. Mr. Turner has die distinction of having climbed Mount Oook alone, a feat which ho described hi detail. He has also climbed nearly every other mountain in the vicinity, nnd js late an last, year made an excursion to Mllford Sound to scale tho little-known Mount Tutico and Mount Pembroke, incidentally discoverer a new pass into tho valley of the Oliphant, which promises interesting results. "Mr. Turner excused the number of times his own person figured on the slideß by saylnc that there was great jealousy in mountain climbing, and a man hnd to produce Indisputable proof of his deeds before they were accented, and even guides were not immuue from a love of kudos, which accounted in part for preference for accompanying ladies, though it made their work harder, for they had to carry heavier packs and often the ladieß themselves. Mr. Turner was given a "hearty vote of thanks for bis entertaining and instructive lecturc.