Distinguished Alpinist.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 December 1922, Page 3

Distinguished Alpinist.

WELLINGTON. Dec 20. Among the visitors to New Zealand who arrived by the Tahiti, is Air A. L. Alumni, partner in the well-known publishing firm of Edward Arnold. London. Air Aliillim is a distinguish*',l alpinist and in addition, to he a publisher, is hirnsclf an author, ills hook “Five Afontlis in the Himalaya’’ is ji most interesting story of mountain 'travel and adventure. It was in 14)07 that, with tlie famous l)r Loiigstalf ami Ainjor Bruce, now .Major-General Bruce, who was leader of the In.-.t Aloinit Everest expedition, accompanied by those celE'hrated guides, the brothers Broeherel, of Com niayeur, that lie made his Himalayan journey. Oil that expedition Loiigstalf made what was at that time one of the highest mountain ascents on record. The sunlit of Tnsul, which Longstall reached, was then the, highest mountain in. the world of which the complete ascent was undisputed. The ascent was made from a camp J 7,45011. to the summit, 23,400 feet; that is to gnv tWt in ten hours.

say, m ICII Air Alumni ,who has been climbing in the Swiss alps, the Rockies, and the, Himalayas for many years-, and is one of tha most prominent members of the Alpine Club, is at present on a tour round the world. He went by way of Canada to Japan, where he was a guest at the-British Embassy at Tokyo. After a tour through Japan and some climbing in the Japanese alps, Air Alumni went by way of Korea, to Cnina. His journey through that country was most interesting. Though there was a war on it seenned to make little (Inference to travel, there evidently being an arrangement that there was to be no interference with travellers on the China, railways. Air Alumni did not even have a passport. lime ueie sleeping and dining cars on the train ami the luggage was checked through -in European, styles The travellers, among whom, were two New /calami ladies, saw nothing of the war. Evidently it is not a, “great war.” In Japan ATr Alumni had tin somewhat unique experience of going up m a Japanese aeroplane with Kir Charles Eliot, the British Ambassador. ’I liey were asked to visit an aerodrome whenBritish naval officers were training Japanese, and on arrival louiul that, part of the programme was that lhey should make a flight. Mi- Alumni came from China to Sidney, and after a brief stay there, cannon to New Zealand, as he has or some ! years longed to see this country. IH leaves to-morrow morning for Auckland, and after a brief stay there he will make a tour of the thermal rei gions. Afterwards he will Mie something of the South Island, am! 'id spend a fortnight at Mount took, | climbing with one of tin: members or the New Zealand Alpine Club.