DINNER TO THE ALPINE TOURISTS.

Kumara Times, Issue 1707, 20 March 1882, Page 2

DINNER TO THE ALPINE TOURISTS.

—■ ♦ A complimentary dinner was given last Tuesday evening, at Clmstchurch, to the Rev. W. P. Green and bis Swiss guides. About twenty-five gentlemen were present, including the Ven. Archdeacon Hales from Tasmania, and the Rev. C. Bowen. After the cloth had been removed, the toast of "The Queen" was drank with standing honours. Mr Corfe (chaiiman), as president of the Canterbury Amateur Athletic Club, in a few well-chosen words, proposed the health of the Rev. W. P. Green and his Swiss guides. Mr Green, who on rising was received with loud applause, thanked the company for their extreme kindness. In the course of his remarks he graphically described the difficulties of the ascent of Mouut Cook, and showed several sketches of different parts. He suggested the formation of aD Alpine Club in connection with the Athletic Club, and advised the members to commence with rock climbing, proceeding afterwards to the more difficult feats of ice climbing. The members might also

dine together twice every year, read papers, and discuss the various difficulties conquered, thus forming an eaprifc de corps. He mentioned that Moun't Tasman, Mount Sefton, &c, were peaks unsullied by the footsteps of humanity; and worthy.. of.. an ..AlpinW climber's ambition. If the proposed club thought of obtaining glides, be suggested tha't they should,getjild.. young rising blood, who would be more likely to be falling blood. ..He would recommend the club, fo follow the example of the EnglishTAapWClub and build huts, the first one to. be .erected at the head of the Tasman Glacier. Mr "(Med also aha.werfcd many questions regarding the method of mountain ciimbing. He stated that the peculiarity of Ascending Mount Cook was that they had to fol~low the gullies instead of foUowibg the arretes, thus increasing the danger froni falling ice. In describing the night passed by thero v under the summit--o! Mount Cook, Mr Green said that the ledge they stood upon was not more than two feet wide or six feet long. They nevrr moved'six inches froin eight o'clock on the night of March £u& until sunrise on the followiug morning. It any otie of them had slept it' meant certain death for all. Tbey stood with their faces towards the rock, one hand resting on the rock, and the other being free to keep each other awake. The track made by the party in the snow in. ascending was found next morning to have been obliterated by avalanches that fell during the night.. In one place on the glacier traversed by thetri on the*2nd there lay next morning the wreck of what would have made a respectable iceberg, which had fallen down in the night.. Mr Green gave a humoroils invitation to anyone to bring hig handkerchief, which lies btiried in the cairn near the summit of Mount Cook, saying that the finder will receive his warmest thanks; After spending a yJlettsant evening the company broke up at an early hour. The folldwing "song cottiposed during thei evening by Archdeacon Hales was sung to the air of " John Peel :" Do ye ken Willie with big coat sd grey? Do ye ken Willie Green, with his coat Set grey 1 As he climbed Mount Gook 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 toe, So he dreamed all night on six inches! Or so, .. Till daylight broke in; the morning: So hurrah for Bill Green and his brave Swiss guides ! '"'■ "' . •••••■ ■■ Who' laughed at Mount Cdok and' his* steep hill sides, • ■ •■ And on the big hill his handkerchief he' hides, v . So early in the morning.