POPULARISING THE MOUNTAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 102, 23 September 1914, Page 4

POPULARISING THE MOUNTAIN.

If the number of enquiries the Extension and Tourist League and the Mountain House Committee ia receiving, be taken as a criterion, New Plymouth and Mt. Egmont house are, notwithstanding the dislocation caused by the war, likely to be patronised during the coming season more liberally than ever. Many people, both in New Zealand and Australia, who had been planning to visit the Old Country hav» perforce to give up tho idea, and they will probably content themselves with what we have to offer. For the same reason, it is possible that the many thousands of Americans who annually spend their winters in the south: of France, Italy and Egypt, may be tempted to visit Australia and New Zealand. Honolulu, in the mid-Paciflc, which is annually growing more popular wivu the Americans, is a convenient halfway house, and if tho New Zealand and Australian Governments were alive to their interests they would bring the attractions and advantages of their countries before these well-to-do trippers. | The war might in this way be turned Ito our profit. But returning to Mt. Egmont. At present the means of reaching. I that magnificent scenic and health-giving place from New Plymouth are too costly for the purse of tho ordinary individual. A seat in a motor-car costs 15s, and then there is the toll and luncheon charges, absorbing practically a pound note. The motor charge is not unreasonable, but what is wanted is a different service. This, we believe, can be pro- | vided by the use of tho motor coach, of the kind that is successfully running between New Plymouth and Urenui. On & recent Sunday one of these motors, containing 18 adults and 2 children, did the trip to the mountain house from New 'Plymouth in'an hour and three-quarters. There is no reason why a regular 6ervice with one of these machines should not be established. Run regularly on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, it should pay handsomely with tho charge, say, at 7s 6d a trip. Here is a good opening for the local motor car owners, who in helping themselves in this way, would also help tho district. Cheaper transit facilities must be provided, if the mountain is to be made, as it should be, a popular rendezvous, and should private enterprise fail to seize the opportunity, the Mountain House Committee, with tho local Expansion nad Tourist Leagu?, might well consider purchasing a motor and establishing a regular service at a reasonable rate.