THE MOUNTAIN CLUB.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 50, 28 February 1914, Page 7

THE MOUNTAIN CLUB.

GENERAL PrfEETINC. A general meeting of mombors of In 1 Mountain Club was held last light, Mr J. 15. Richards presiding. Concessions to Members. The chairman reported that the membersliip of the Club now totalled ,o. He felt sure that this total could easily be doubled. It was apparent, ie. said, to everybody who had gone ,o the top of the mountain by both •outes, that the Stratford route was better than tile Fantham’s Peak route. - )u the latter route the loose scoria is ,-ery troublesome. On this side of the Mountain there was no better route ban the Stratford one, which provid'd solid going all the way. “Without -elicitation the manager of the House •ad made an offer of concessions to nembers of the Club. He offered the allowing terms: Per week at main amse .‘sbs (Usual charge £2 8s), (leached cottage .‘sos per week, main ouse 6s per day, detached cottage bs mr day, dinner and tea for those stayug only one day 2s Gd. Mr Williams Iso made an offer to carry up boongings of climbers from the circuit ! ine. These tilings, said Wr Hidirds, indicated that Mr Williams was loing all he could to further the inerests of the Club. Election of Officers. The following permanent officers rore elected: —President, Mr .1. 15. Richards; vice-president, Mr K. jackion; captain, Mr T. James; secretary, ml treasurer, Mr T. Kirkwood ; comlittce, Messs C. L. Grant, H. IT. 'pratt and K. S. Rutlierfurd; auditor, Ir C. Potts. A Badge. The chairman said the provisional omniittee had discussed the c;nestioii f mom hers wearing a badge when on rips to the Mountain. It would irobably be impossible to supply a lermanent badge tor this season, but he meeting could decide on some ribon or other emblem to distinguish lenibers. For next season a pormannt iiaclge could easily m 3 procured. [ It was finally decided that rihbops e procured with the letters “5..M.C.” minted thereon. Advertising. The chairman suggested that the Jlub might he able to finance adverisements on provincial railway staions. It was also suggested that “stickers” hould be provided. Tbo suggestions were noted by the omniittee. Changing the Name. Mr Spratt moved that the name of he Club be altered to “Mountaineerag” in place of “Mountain.” The chairman put in a plea for the Id name. He said the new name suggested that the Chib was largely Aline.. His view wafj that the bush •as as fine a feature as any 1 oh the fountain. In time the bush generally i Taranaki would disappear and there vould remain only that portion in the igmont XatiiAial ] > ark. Mr Spratt having replied the motion .as put and lost. Communication. The secretary mentioned that there amid be. some means of conimuniition with Stratford on Sundays, -ast Sunday one of the ’party as taken very seriously ill on the .fountain and it. really looked as if would be necessary to mount a horse id gallop down for a doctor. It was stated that if the Postmaster vere approached he would in ail prob- . hi lit v see to the matter.

Protecting the Bush. - The chairman asked all members o do ail they could to preserve the aish and scrub. Some years ago there .ere numerous patches of Prince of .Vales leathers, whereas now one had o go a long way to see these beauitill plants. “~" -Mr Pickards also hoped that members would take steps to see that the jollification at the House never got )oyond the bounds of reason. At times the animal spirits of visitors led them over the border, and it dtould be the duty of members of,the’ bbub to conserve the comfort of all visitors by seeing that no undue rowdyism was indulged in by visitors. Lady Members. It was decided that ladies be admitted to membership, the subscription to be half a crown. Providing Guides. The, chairman said the provisional committee had discussed the question of appointing reliable members as guides. .Ho suggested that the matter should lie left in tho hands of the •ommittee. On the motion of the chairman it was divided that the guides he appointed by the committee on the recommendation of the captain, the appointments to endure for twelve months unless cancelled by the commitee.