COMPLIMENTARY DINNER.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2477, 15 March 1882, Page 3

COMPLIMENTARY DINNER.

A complimentary dinner was given on Tuesday evening at Coker’s Hotel to the Hev. W. P. Green and his Swiss guides. Mr C. C. Corfe occupied the chair, and Mr E. 0. J. Stevens the vice-chair, and amongst others the following gentlemen were present: —Ven. Archdeacon Halos, Eav. C. Bowen. Messrs R. J. S. Harman, E. J. Parker, L. Harper, J. Palmer, A. P, N. Blakiston, H. P. Lance, J. P. Williams, Banks, Armson, Dobson, Condell, Blood, P. W, Hales, G. B. He'es, Y. Hamilton, and Stanley Edwards. After the cloth had been removed, the toast of “The Queen” was drank with standing honours. Mr Corfe, as president of the Canter, bnry Amateur Athletic Club, in a few well chosen words, proposed the health of the Eev. W. P. Green a*d his Swiss guides. Mr Green, who on rising was received with loud applause, thanked the company for their extreme kindness. In the oourseof his remarks he graphica’ly described the difficulties of the ascent of Mount Cook, and showed several sketches of different parts. He suggested the formation of an Alpine Clnb in connection with the Athletic Club, and advised the members to commence with rock climbing, proceeding afterwards to the more difficu i feats of ice-climbing. The members might also dine together twice every year, read papers, and discuss the various difficulties conquered, thus forming an esprit de corps. He mentioned that Mount Tasman, Mount Sefton, &c. were peaks nnsultied by the footsteps of humanity, and worthy of an Alpine dim); ar’s ambition. If the proposed club thought of obtaining guides, be suggested tbat they should get old stagers, not young rising blood, who would be more likely to be falling blood. He wor'd recommend the Club to follow the example of the English Alpine Clnb and build huts, the first one to be erected at the head of the Tasman Glacier. Mr Green also answered many questions regarding the method of mountain climbing. He stated that the peculiarity of ascending Mount Cc ok was tbat they bad to follow the gullies instead of following the arretes, thus increasing the danger from falling ice. In describing the night passed by them under the summit of Mount Cook, Mr Green said that the ledge they stood upon was not more than two feet wide or six feet long. They never moved six inches from eight o’clock on the night of March 2nd until sunrise on the following morning. If any one of them had slept it meant certain death for all. They stood with their faces towards the rock, one hand resting on the rook, and the other being free to keep each other awake.

Herr Boss also thanked those present and the people of New Zealand generally for their hospitality. Mr Stevens proposed the health of Archdeacon Hales as a visitor from Tasmania.

Archdeacon Hales, in replying, stated that ho leohed upon the ascent of Mount Cook as a splendid instance of the spirit of the English race, and spoke of the marvellous progress of these colonies since his arrival in Melbourne thirty-four years ago, all due to tho same spirit. After sperding a pleasant evening the company broke up at an early hour. The following song composed during the evening by Archdeacon Hales was sung to the air of “John Peel Do ye ken Willie Green, with his coat so grey ? Do ye ken Willie Green, with hia coat so grey ? As he climbed Mount Cook at the break of day. So early in the morning. The mountain was white with its coat of snow: Willie Green had no room for the tip of his too. So he danced all night on six inches ob so. Till daylight broke in the morning. So hurrah for Bill Green and his brave Swiss guides I Who laughed at Mount Cook and his steep hill

And on the big hill his handkerchief he hides. So early in the morning.