STRATFORD MOUNTAIN CLUB.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 96, 16 April 1914, Page 6

STRATFORD MOUNTAIN CLUB.

(By Alpenstock.)

From time immemorial, clubs have in some form or - another existed. Prehistoric man and folk of the stone ages all have realized the benefits and the many , uses to which a club may, be put. In medieval days clubs were fashioned for their weilders good and joy, and many were the deep impressions made. Does not the ambidextrous aborigine of Australia and hitclub run hand in hand even to the present day; The needs, objects, aim aims of clubs are as multifarious in the twentieth century as they were in the clays when our forbears roamed untrammelled the solitudes of the forest, and when voicing the fact that no greater need ever existed than the formation of a club—a Mountain Club to promote the interests, in every pos. sible and conceivable manner, of Mt Egmont, to protect the bird life, the flora and the fauna of the Mt. Egmont National Park, One is some what comforted by the fact that tin multitudes joyfully subscribe to fin same belief. Only a few weeks have elapsed since the Stratford Mountain Club’s inception, yet already the highest hopes are wearing a summitorial aspect, the membership exceeding 200. Observe how proudly nestles the club’s beautiful ribbon badge on the lapel of every coat. To attempt, if you dare, some unreasonable reference necessitates the wearementioning your indiscretion, to the coroner in the morning. Mt. Egmon —Nature’s barometer—Egmont the unrivalled, the beauteous, the peer less,, neglected by your “ain folk”— is it any wonder you are unknown ti all tourist bureaux, to Cooks, a stranger to the Governments of your country, past and present. Oh, Eg mont, how I love you! you who ■'welcome those who lavish t heir affections upon you! you who permit thos who would scorn to trample you bo neath their feet! “Stratford awake,’ awake. I cry, from your somnolence while you slumber, others are gaini-i; that which should be yours. You the Mountain town, with only rdm miles from your railway station t; your Mountain House, making it po« sihle to arrive by the mail train ii tire morning, ascend to the summit and leave by the mail train in the evening! You, who possess absolute; the best view of Egmont,* it beifig broad-side on, undoubtedly the eas ■ iest grade to your House, through bush which exhibits forest life pM bably unequalled in New Zealand You, who are blessed with the easie-i and most picturesque track to the crater! What more do you want ; The Mountain has favored you ii" every conceivable way. Lie dormem no longer! Bo up and doing! WhiK you have slept, thousands, both i> pounds and people, have slipped In your door. Every 'boy, girl, man ot woman, and child in the district ha; benefited by Egmont’s presence. i

catapult this challenge deny it i you can—that every business man without an exception, receives a direc benefit by the popularity of the Moun tain, be he blacksmith, grocer, hakei or candlestick-maker. Others hav realised this. Ascend 3000 feet uj Mt. .figment’s slopes; glance down and the richest dairy land in tin world lies beneath you as yet miscratched. Nature has, indeed, en do wed -yon with its most choices gifts. Oh, if one could only arousi you sufficiently for you to allow youi self to observe the opportunities tha. offer themselves for your grasp—op portunities that have been permittee by you in the past to go by. Get busy, join the Mountain Club, don' wait to be asked like a big school kid—join at once. Assist it in it mission, to the uttermost of your'tibil tty. What is better calculated t< bring to Sratford the Opunake railway than an influx of' tourists Jron, •all parts of New Zealand, from i i

parts of the world, hedad. Listen, this is no termino logical inexactitude Awake, shake from you the Rip Vac Winkiealities you have been saddle.! with, and remember the Mountain hi- • been fashioned for your joy. Calf iorth your reserve energies, toast orevery occasion the “King’of Space.’ whose hoary head towers high into tin cloud-Specked sky, and I prophesy fo: you in the years to come, prosperity, and in your declining yearsyou will reside in peaceful contemplation of the gay and festve scene!

A QUESTION OF REFUND. BOROUGH COUNCIL PERTURBED The Mountain Club-caused some dis mission at last night’s meeting ol' the Borough Council. Mr T. Kirkwood, secretary Stratford Mountain Club, wrote asking for a refund of charges in connection with thu use of the Municipal Chambers as a meeting place. The writer directed the Council’s attention to the fact that the Club filled a long-felt want and was a decided benefit to the com inunity in arousing the feelings, too long dormant, not only of the people of the district, but of the whole of the Dominion, with a desire to inspect the scenic wonders of Mount Egmont. Cr. King mentioned that previously the Council had decided that absolutely no refunds be made in respect of the Town Hall or 'the Council Chambers. Cr. Thompson thought the resolution dealt only with the To uni Had The Chamber of Commerce used the Council Chamber free and why should the Mountain Club not? Cr. Mori son moved that the refund be granted. ■ Cr. King said the Council seemed to blow hot and cold. Previously, the Council had refused a refund for Town Hall rent to the Salvation Army, and without wishing to disparage the'

Mountain Club lie felt that the Army was doing more , for the...good of the people of New Zealand than the Mountain Club. .... - - Cr. Boon said the Chamber had previously been given Tree, but a charge was found necessary to cover wear and tear oh the chairs supplied. Cr. Masters said that, when it was decided to make a charge for the Chamber it was understood that a charge be made for every meeting outside the Hospital Board and the Chamber .of Commerce. Cr. Richards, thought the Mountain Club should be placed on the same footing—the Club was ..designed for the good of the town and district. Cr. Morison, speaking as the Council’s representative, on the National Park Board, contended that he had a right to call a public meeting in the Chamber to further the interests of the Mountain. The motion was carried.