WELLINGTON.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2176, 28 April 1908, Page 1

WELLINGTON.

(Special to “Times.”) WELLINGTON, April 27. STOCK EXCHANGE. Very few sales are being made on the Stock Exchange, and business is limited to a few mining investments. At Saturday’s call £9 10s was paid for Wailii shares, and holders are now asking 2s Cd more. No doubt the low level developments are the cause of the increase. Talismans sold at £2 11s 3d, ex div. For Douaghy Rope shares, £0 was offered, but no scrii) was available. Loan and Mercantile shares were offered at os Id. The only sale to-day was of Big River shares, at 19s Cd.; Taranaki petroleiim shares are being enquired'for at Bs.

AIT. COOK HERMITAGE. The new Hermitage at Alt. Cook will be built oil a commanding site at Governor’s 'Bush. This is tho only piece of bush now left near Alt. Cook. On tho eastern side of tho divide a beautiful stream runs past it from small glaciers situated high up on the Sealy Range, which hovers to a height of 6000 ft in tho immediate background. From the front windows magnificent views of Alt. Cook (12,349 ft), Alt. Sefton (10,350 ft), iSt. David’s Dome (9948 ft), and the hold rocky peaks of the Ziebig Range, will he 'procurable. In order to make access easy to the great Tasman glacier, whore the grandest scenery in the whole of the Southern Alps is to ho found, it will be necessary to bridgo the Hooker River at the' end of the southern spur of Alt. Cook. At present tbc crossing -is" by a cage on a strong wire Tope, suspended high above the foaming Hooker River. Alany tourists, however, do not care to face this ordeal, and crossing the torrent oil horseback is positively dangerous. The old suspension bridge near the present Hermitage will only bo suitable for excursions up the Hooker Valley. The new Hermitage will be built of stone, which can be procured quite close to the site chosen. It is not expected that- the building will he ready in time for next season.

WELLINGTON GOLF'LINKS. Tho opening of tlio Wellington Golf Links and Club-house at Silverstream in tho valley of the Hutt, about 18 miles from Wellington, was a remarkably successful function. There were fully 500 guests, and the arrangements were perfect. The club-house, which is. the finest in New Zealand, and the magnificent views from the terrace on, which it stands, were greatly admired, as were also the very picturesque country houses which a number of members of tho club have built adjoining the links. The ceremony of opening the links was performed by Sir Joseph Ward, who is president of the club. He stated that the present site was acquired on tho 18th of Way, 1906, by a few members of flic club, who signed an' agreement which made them liablo for the whole of the purchase money, a matter of £12,000. Subsequently ilie Coif Club agreed to purchase from this syndicate. The area required for links was about 136 acres,/and this tho syndicate handed over to the club at the original cost. The. remaining land ;on the Terrace 'was'tlien subdivided into sections and auctioned amongst the members of the syndicate. The prices given were a largo advance upon the price 'at which tho syndicate purchased, so that the members of 'the syndicate bought the land from themselves at a profit, and generously gave tho whole of this profit, about £2OO, towards the purchase of the links. A very pretty hit of native bush has been reserved ill connection with the club-house grounds, which are already beginning to look beautiful. Already, a good deal of planting of trce6, shrubs, and flowers lias been done, and tlio shado and shelter trees planted number 1500. The links are already in fine order. The course, which is now being laid out, will he six thousand yards in length, and will lie scientifically hunkered. It is hoped that the 1909 New Zealand championship meeting will be held on it. Sir Joseph Ward has presented two very handsome cups to ho competed for bv members of the club. At the conclusion of ceremony, Sir Joseph and Lad.v Ward were presented with a beautiful art pewter casket, suitably inscribed. This was quite a surprise packet for Sir Joseph, and he suitably acknowledged the gift on behalf of himself and Lady Ward.