MOUNT COOK HERMITAGE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 228, 20 January 1911, Page 5

MOUNT COOK HERMITAGE

A DEVELOPMENT POLICY. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch, Last Night. The Hon. Dr. Findlay, who arrived from Mount Cook this evening, and left later for Wellington, states that the present season at Mount Cook was the best ever experienced, and the accommodation has been taxed to the utmost, many visitors living in tents. A noticeable feature was the presence of a large numbei of Australians. When the new Hermitage was built, which would probably be the season after next, there would be tennis and croquet lawns, and possibly a golf course. These additional attractions and many very interesting walks would have the effect of attracting many who were non-climbers, but who desired to recuperate. There was a strong feeling that the present Hermitage should be left where it is, to meet exceptionally heavy demands for accommodation. Climbers also agree that this is desirable, and Dr. Findlay intends placing their views before the Minister in charge of tourist and health resorts. A new bridge is being erected over the Hooker river, which will enable motorists to reach the Malte Erun hut easily. At present the terminal area of the Mueller Glacier is more interesting than at any time he could remember during the past twenty years. The Hooker river has left the old bed, and flowing under the glacier, had created some of the most majestic ice pinnacles he had ever seen. Great changes were taking place, and large ice floes were continually going down the river.