MOUNT HOLDSWORTH.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7948, 25 January 1906, Page 6

MOUNT HOLDSWORTH.

"THE EG MONT OP WAIRARAPA." (To the Editor). Sir, —Apropos of the recent olimbing of-Mount Holdsworth by a party of Masterton residents, reported in your columns a few days ago, I would suggest that in this direction a great field is open for the development of tourist traffic, and what ia now a iratter of one or two people, during the season scrambling haphazard through bush and scrub, finding their way as best they can. to the snow line and rocky peaks, may with a little care and attention develop into a very pleasant and attractive pastime, and, uuder comfortable circumstances, attract hundreds of visitors to undertake the journey during the season. And there se u ms no reason why this beautiful endowment of Nature should not in time be to the Wairarapa what Mount Eminent is to-day to Taranaki. It should bo worked upon similar lines uuder the control of a local Board. The first move in this direction would be the formation of a committee to approach the Government in order to obtain a pound for pound subsidy for money subscribed by the people, and to have a radius line at a distance of seven or eight miles from the top for the purpose of bringing an area under the special protection of the Scenaiy Protection Society. The track now being used is about seven miles in length from the commencement of the bush to the top of the mountain, but to all appearances this could be greatly shortened by making a new track along the banks of the river, which passes almost at the bottom of the Mount. The distance should be about two and a half miles to the plaoe where the river strikes the mountain proper, and about two miles from there to the top. The new route would therefore be a saving of about two and a half miles. The olimbing would be very steep in places, but the saving in distance would moie than compensate for this. At the foot ol' the mountain proper, and close to the river, there should be no difficulty in finding excellent camping ground, and the olimb to this point would be on an easy giade, so that even those not of the strongest physique, could reach the camp with comparative ease, and comfort. There might also be a permanent house erected at this place, so that viuitors would require only to take provisions, and covering, and wouid find accommodation without the inconvenience of having to erect tents. It may be mentioned that at the Mountain House at Mt Egmont a nhargo of one shilling is made to each visitor, and in view of the fact that there are sometimes as many as 150 visitors in a day the Mountain House is not a bad paying concern. There is, of oourae, trie caretaker to pay, and other expeuses, but,, I understand, the place is self-sup porting. What appears to be most needed at present, however, on Mount Holdsworth is a decent track, as ou the present one it is impossible for anyone, unless generally accustomed to the bush or specially acquainted with this particular part, to find the way- to the top of the' Mount and back without danger and inconvenience. There is, I think, every reason to believe that were a camping house erected at the bottom of the mountain and a passable track made, there would be many visitors attracted during the season from all parts of the Wairarapa and from Wellington and other plaoes. Jt is said by those who have reached the top of the mountain that the grandeur surpasses all expectations, and I trust that something will be done to encourage this healthy and invigorating exercise by way of improving tho conditions of climbing so that tho outing may be undertaken with comfort and safety.— Yours, etc., MOUNTAINEER.