THE NEW MOUNTAIN HOUSE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 299, 14 June 1912, Page 7

THE NEW MOUNTAIN HOUSE

A MAGNIFICENT STRUCTURE. The recently completed new North Egmont Mountain House is a magnificently appointed building. It will possess, together with the added charm of mountain air and mountain scenery, all the comforts and conveniences of a first cla«s modern hotel. A description of the Mlding, which is about 3,100 ft above sea-level, makes interesting reading. In approaching it one's eye is immediately taken with the inviting spacious verandah, 67 by 8 feet, which takes up most of the frontage. On the right hand corner of the verandah is the dining-room, while on the left-hand extremity there are two rooms, each 17ft 6in by 14ft. One comprises a cheerful looking social room, with casement windows opening on to the verandah, and is fitted up with fireplaces and cosy-corner seats. Next to it i.s the smoking room. In size the din-ing-room is 28ft Oin by'22ft Gin. The main part of the building is level, but this last mentioned compartment lias a coved ceiling, running up high in the centre with open beams showing. Delightfully quaint in design the room opens on to the verandah with casement windows all round. Perhaps its most attractive feature is its glorious open fire-place; comfort is, indeed, a feature of the whole building. Behind the dining-room is a large, roomy kitchen fitted with all modern conveniences, together with a pantry, scullery and storeroom. Opening off this wing again are the manager's quarters, comprising a sitting-room, and two bedrooms. The entrance-hall of the hostel stands in the centre of the building, and on its right are three-double bed-rooms. Three similar rooms are on the left of the hall. All these rooms are in the •front of the house, together with the manager's office, which is situated immediately opposite the entrance. A long corridor runs along the back of the double bedrooms, connecting with eight single bedrooms, a large linen-room, two bath-rooms and lavatories combined, fitted up de luxe. Two other lavatories are also provided. Detached from the hostel itself, are out-buildings, including a dark-room for the convenience of photographers. The whole building is of concrete, the gravel employed in its construction having been taken from the site. It is finished white outside, with rough east. The whole of the inside is finisbed off with white plaster. The ceilings and wood-work showing are of rimu, oiled. The premises are sewered with a septic tank, and are situated about five chains off the main mountain road, on a flat approach. BEAUTIFULLY SHELTERED. When it came to ehosing a site, the question resolved itself into shelter v. view. The influence of the former swayed the authorities, and some criticism was offered on this account. As it is, the hostel is beautifully sheltered, and the small sacrifice of view is more than compensated for. All things considered, the new mountain.house, which was designed by Mr F. Messenger ,ind built bv Messrs. Boon Bros, is a magnificent holiday retreat and tourist resort. Indeed, in the opinion of Guide Murphy, of Mount Cook, who visited the building whilst in course of its erection, it is practically as good, though on a smaller scale, as the new hermitage at present being built at that mountain. When completed in every detail, and furnished throughout, the North Egmont hostel •will have cost approximately £2,500. It will be comfortably furnished and opened early next season. It will be run on first-class hotel lines. Exactly on what lines, however, has vet to be decided. THE OLD HOUSE.

The old accomodation house will continue to be carried on as at present, and the cottage will still be at the disposal of family parties. It was one of the conditions .stipulated by the national Park Board, that the old accommodation house should not be hampered in any way. Those visitors not desirous of putting up at the new hostel may procure accommodation at the pioneer establishment, provided they bvin<r their own blankets and provisions, and pay a fee of Is 6d per night.