THE MOUNTAIN HOUSE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 183, 20 December 1912, Page 4

THE MOUNTAIN HOUSE.

A trip to the mountain and a visit to the new hostel recently erected on this side of Egmont is one. of the most enjoyable of experiences, but under present conditions the trip can only be taken by those with easy purses, because of the cost of getting there, at any rate from New ' Plymouth. "The ordinary charge per head is about 15s for the return trip. This is beyond the means of many people who would like nothing better than the opportunity of indulging in the "rest cure at Mount Egmont." The other charges of the trip are within their means. If they desire it, they can take rooms &t the old house, and make their own provision as; far as their inner comforts are concerned. . Or they can obtain meals at the new hostel. Or they can stay at the hostel altogether at a moderate cost. What is necessary is a cheaper transit service. By working systematically and making frequent trips it might be possible for the motor-ear owners to substantially reduce their charges. We arc sure, if the rates were half what they are, they would never go short of custom so far as the mountain service is concerned. There is also no reason why brakes could not be put on at certain times. With a moderate charge they Would he well patronised.' By co-operating with the 'hostel authorities and the Expansion and Tourist Leagne-—which is doing such valuable service in advertising throughout the Dominion the. attractions of the town, the mountain trip, etc.—the local stablekeepers and motor-car owners, we have ho doubt, could arrange a servjee advantageous both to themselves and the general public, and we are pissed to see that a move is, at the instance of the Tourist and Expansion League, now being made in this direction. We hope it will be attended with the success it merits. The attractions of the mountain should be brought as close as possibly to the mass of the people, and the way to do this is to cheapen the transit service. Under present conditions the trip is a luxury, and can only be availed of by a small proportion of people. This is good for neither the hotel authorities, the general public, nor the motor-ear owners and stablekeepers. The latter have the matter in their own hands.