THE MOUNTAIN CLUB.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 49, 1 March 1915, Page 2

THE MOUNTAIN CLUB.

(By Alpenstock.)

Just let us get seven more, and the membership of the Mountain Club will have reached 300. What a glorious achievement! No spirograph is necessary to indicate that the somnolent Rip Van Winkle has suffered a rude awakening. Fancy, only twelve months in existence on the 13th of this month, and old members are forwarding their annual subscriptions of 2s 6d and new ones joining readily, all realising that the good work of promoting the interests of the mountain, of protecting the flora and the fauna, the bird life, and making the mountain attractable and ascendable to all, is in the hands of capable and enthusiastic officials, who firmly believe the manly part is to do, with might and main, what one can do, and hence proffer you the prolongation of life if you will only visit frequently the Mountain’s picturesque slopes; inhale the invigorating and rarefied atmosphere; partake of the health-giving crystalised waters, feast your eyes on the scenic wonders, listen attentively to the sweet tbroated feathered songsters who greet you, and embezzle from the mountain all the joys you can. “Goodness me; I had no idea the Mountain was so patronised. There’s quite a seething mass of humanity hereabouts.” The remark was made to the guide who, at the instigation of the Mountain Club, was selected to take charge of a score of commercial travellers who foregathered at Stratford on a recent week-end to visit the Stratford Mountain House. In making arrangements for the trip, some difficulty was experienced in procuring conveyances, but ultimately sufficient gigs were commandeered. What an opportunity is afforded anyone sufficiently enterprising enough to run a regular service to the House, being assured of a profitable occupation. Just fancy, every vehicle in the town bespoken—the bespokeners being desirous of visiting the mountain. Many places of interest were visited, and everything possible calculated to ensure a pleasant outing for the visitors was thoughtfully rendered. The view from “The Look Out,”- on Razor Back ridge, was much extolled by the commercials, who unanimously acclaimed the scene to he the most magnificent they had ever witnessed. Far below lay verdant Taranaki, peaceful and prosperous, and in the beautiful waters of Waitara bay a huge Home liner lay. Fervent hopes for a safe passage through the troubled waters of the English Channel were sighed, and the leviathan was freighted with the party’s best wishes for a safe return. Mr Walter Williams (representative of Arthur and Co., London), before seeking the cushion comforts of his Cabriolet, on behalf of himself and brother travellers, expressed appreciation of the guide’s lexicology and knowledge of everything appertaining t« the Mountain, and also his deep gratitude lor the official recognition of the Mountain Club.

“They’re all doing it.” It’s quite fashionable to go up the Mountain now. This week-end the Stratford Band will emanate sweet soundings in the rarefied atmosphere of Egmont. Then the week-end after, the Elthain Band will vie with the orchestrization of the Mountain’s harmony. Ye Drum and Fifers! What about it?

On a previous visit t° our Mountain town the lovable George Stephenson, of the “Humpty Humpties,” vowed ho would scale the rugged slopes of, Egmont and perch himself on the highermost rock. Now is the time George! The scenic wonders of the forest reserve will appeal to you, rivalling, as it. does, the magnificent scenery from the brush of Harry Whaite. The entire production is a masterpiece of Nature’s achievement in assimilating the transformation scene of “Dreamland.” Where in the wide world would you select a more fitting spot for Humpty Humpty to have a great fall than down the stupendously precipitous cliffs the awe-inspiring Manganui Gorge!”