THE MOUNTAIN CLUB.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 30, 6 February 1915, Page 7

THE MOUNTAIN CLUB.

(By Alpenstock.) Assuredly, “To the Stratford Mountain House” is now being recognised as one of the most pleasurable drives in Taranaki, as judged by the large number of motor cars and other modes of conveyance snugly ensconscd under the leaiy bowers which surround the -Mountain House. “I do not remember seeing a more picturesque piece of scenery than tho hush which one passes through on the way to the Stratford Mountain, House. It is simply magnificent and soul-inspiring, and I cannot imagine why it is not more widely known amongst tourists,” remarked a much-travelled lady visitor

who visited Mount Egnioat recently. “Why, if this cone was in any other country, pilgrims would come from thousands of miles,away to pay homage to it. Take, for instance, FnjiYama, which, hy the way, is the only rival Egmont has in the world as an extinct volcano and cone-shaped mountain), something near a million pilgrims annually visit it, and yet I can assure you, Egmont is much the hotter of the two from a tourist’s point of view. Whereas, here you. from the mountain’s tremendous heights. gaze down on what is- probably the richest milk-lands in the world—-and what a wealth of scenic loveliness; from Fuji-Yama the scone, presents an entirely different aspect—onb of less bewitching enchantment.’ )

I his now is the belief of a famous tourist, and yet right here in Stratford we have hundreds who have redded here on the very slopes of the mountain for years and years, and yet have not aroused themselves sufficiently to make a single visit to the Mountain’s wonderland. Truly, itd a strange world, and its occupants are the stranger of the two. They think nothing of spending many pounds to

\isit other parts, and see things, and vot at their very door they have o of the most magnificently picturesque, soul-satisfying trips the beneficent Creator in his great benevolence has seen fit to confer on. mankind. Mr E. Jackson was particularly hapnv in his remarks at the annual meeting of the Mountain Club, in reference to the deep indebtedness of the Club to the President (Mr J. B. Richards). “Mr Richards,” remarked Mr Jackson, “has in no way spared himself; although a particularly busy man, and keenly interested in anything and everything that tended to the welfare and betterment of the community, he yet so governed his few spare moments in the enlistment of the Club’s interest, that he, Mr Jackson, had no hesitation in expressing the opinion that the success which had attended the Mountain Club’s birth year was due almost entirely to the wise forethought. energy, and ability of Mr Richards.” The enthusiastic acclamation with which Mr Richards was again elected President was fruitful of the high esteem in which Mr Richards is held by the members. It has now become quite the custom when visiting the Stratford Mountain House to have one’s photo taken by Mr Williams (the caretaker). Alpenstock recently fortified himself suffi-

ciently to face the camera, and lo and behold! a lovely picture resulted. Candidly, I never really thought I looked so idee. Do you think the pretty surroundings would do it, or is it that Mr Williams is such a good photographer? Quite a sweet smile seems interned in my face, and my eyes are really nice and my mouth is most kissable. “f wonder if 1 got the right photo?” 1 mayn’t have.