THE MOUNTAIN CLUB.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 66, 20 March 1915, Page 6

THE MOUNTAIN CLUB.

(By Alpenstock). “Directory boards” Itave now been placed on the recently-cut track to “Lady Shoe Camp” by members of the Mountain Club. Away back in the hidden years Lady Shoe Camp was an acceptable resting place for the weary wayfarer who ventured the ascent of the Mountain. It is a very pretty clearing, right in the heart of the bush, directly above the Mountain House, and nestles almost on the edge of Te Popo Gorge. Historically speaking, the place is vastly interesting, and much enlightenment may be gained by anyone lingering in this delightful and sun-kissed spot. For instance, in a near-by tree one observes indelibly cut in its decaying trunk, lettering informative of the fact that H. Jenkins N. Jenkins and T. Jenkins and family (Filtham), on February 21st, 1898, climbed to the top of the Mountain. On the same monarch of the forest, only a few feet higher, and securely attached by a nail, may still be seen a small shoe. Not Cinderella’s, mind you, hut the leather remains of a lady’s shoo. It is, possibly, now over 25 years ago, when a party consisting of Mrs Percy Bayly, Mrs Charlie Curtis, Mrs Hemingway, Mrs Frank Arden, Mr Harry Penn, Mr Frank Arden, Mr Charles Curtis, and Mr Harry Webber, reached this haven of refuge, after a most t*'dious journey through swamp and dark dense bush. No track existed worthy of the name, and the “tqot, toot” of the motor horn was unheard of in the vicinity. Next morning, the # day breaking fine, an early start was,-made to subdue the craggy heights of Egmont. ■ Ropes were requisitioned, as no ac- ’ cepted way to the top was known in i ..those times, which necessitated the : climber selecting his own pathway. : After many hair-breath escapes, and ’ much laborious toil, Mrs Percy -Bayly ‘ (nobly assisted by Mr H. Penn), stood i in Egmont’s crater, she being the first lady to achieve this distinctive honor i from the Stratford side. Others of the ■ party soon followed, and after a 1 thorough investigation of the crater, , the -challenge of the yawning chasms and precipitious cliff faces of the des- • cent were accepted, and although not , easily conquered, were accomplished in i safety. In memory of the occasion of i the successful climb, one of Mrs Bayly’s shoes was nailed to the tree, and i hence its presence there to this day. Directly opposite the “shoe tree” • one may observe more knife work, and i close inspection reveals the inscription: “In memory of W. H. Southwood, who was lost on the Mountain oil the 3rd April, 1891.” Poor Southwood! Well “Alpenstock” remembers doing his uttermost to persuade the brave fellow to desist from his foolhardy attempt to scale Mt. Egmont in winter time. Offers to procure a guide were waved aside disdainfully, A guide, indeed, for such a pimple as that! Seeing that Southwood was determined to venture on the journey alone, and that further remonstrance was useless and advice unappreciated, he was permitted to make the ascent alone. As he did not return when expected, some apprehension was felt for his safety. Search parties' failed to locate his whereabouts. A large reward was offered by his - relative, Mr Smith, of Te Arc House, Wellington, to spur the searchers on, but to no avail. The Mountain became absolutely infested with seekers, who did all that lay in human power to find the lost man. Many, in fact, had spears purposely made with whi,ch to prod the snow depths, but all efforts were attended with failure. At last all hope of rescue was reluctantly banished. In the following year a party who had ascended to the crater were astonished to observe a boot protruding from the snow, and investigation solved thomystery of the long-lost climber. What really happened no one will ever know. The poor fellow was buried in Wellington. Dr. Agnes Bennett, of Wellington, who recently spent a most enjoyable time at our Mountain House, intends leaving for England at the end of thei month, in order, to enable her to take! up her duties at the front, as she has j joined the -French Red Cross for service during the war. The musicianship of the EUlianij Brass Band was much appreciated by the seething mass of humanity who! seethed at the Mountain House last week-end. The manner in which it surmounted the most difficult passages of technique and consummate feeling was conducive of most soulful melody. The band exhibits a resonant and sympathetic tone, fluency in the correct delivery of the cornet pasages and harmonies, and is indeed to be congratulated on its present contest form. The Mountain’s day at home was surely last week-end, when visitors numbered nearly 200. Motor lorries, motor cars, motor cycles, by the hundreds, numerous five and six-horse brake teams, horsemen, horsewomen, pedestrians, and traps of all descriptions, were to be observed traversing in one long string their way to the Mountain House. The brightly-colored uniforms of the bandsmen, the pretty dresses of the ladies, the neat, natty and nice costumes of the intending climbers, all lent colour to the gay and festive scene that animated the surroundings of the Mountain Hostel. The gathering must have nearly eclipsed the previous record established for flqir House.