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tents were supplied for the overflow. The extension of the veranda mentioned in my last report was duly completed, and resulted in a considerable improvement. The weather being generally an improvement of that of last season, the guiding staff was kept busy, and the fees for guiding and equipment and livery rose from £592 to £945. A considerable amount of repairing-work and improvements was carried out during the oil: season. The repairs to the King Memorial Hut and the Sefton Bivouac;, which were damaged by snow the year before, were completed after the close of last season. This was quite a big job, and it was necessary to almost, double-timber the building throughout. A 50 ft. suspension bridge was almost constructed across Black-birch Creek, thus connecting the Governor's Bush and the Sabastopol tracks. This is a very popular walk, and the bridge was much appreciated, especially by elderly visitors. Every care was taken to protect the reserves from fire, and 1 am pleased to say that none has occurred. The chamois have been seen on many parts of the reserves this season : herds of between thirty and forty, and as many as seventy, have been noticed at one time, including many young. The thar, too, have often beer, noticed by parties while on excursions. Twice during the summer a herd of twenty was observed by the Chief Guide on the Scaly Range, behind the Hermitage. By the number of chamois and thar noticed at different times they arc apparently steadily on the increase. The following is a list of the high ascents during the season: —

List of High Ascents at Hermitage during Season of 1919-20.

I ate. Name of Peak. Height, in Feet. Climbed by Name of Guide. Route and Remarks. j 1919. June 12 Mount Scaly 8,651 Miss E. Masterton 1<\ Milne, J. McDonald Ascent by north face and descent by west face from Mueller Hut, Ascent and descent by east; face from lialte Brun Hut. Ascent by west face and descent by north-west arete from Ball'Hut, Ascent and descent by western arUe. Ascent and descent: by west face from Ball Hut Ascent and descent by cast face of north arMe from Malte Brun Hut. Ascent and descent by cast face from Malte Brun Hut. Ascent by north-east arUe ; descent by north-east face from Malte Brun Hut. Ascent and descent by west face and north arete from Malte Brun But. Dec. 3 , Minarets Peaks L0.058 Miss D. Theomin P. Graham Due. 22 Mount Johnston 8,858 Mr. D Soannell, Mr. II. A. [loll F. Milne .. Dec. 2!i I Mount Blackburn ("Rotten Tommy") Dec. 25 ! Mount Johnston 7, 835 Miss l>. Holdsworth, Mr. II. Chambers Miss I). Theomin P. Graham 8,858 F. Milne . . Dec. 28 Mount Green .. ■ 9,325 Miss H, Lorimer, Miss l>. Theomin, Mr. H. A. Holl Miss M. Maepherson, Mr. D. Macphcrson Miss D, Theomin F. Milne . . Dee. 29 Minarets Peak 10,058 P. Graham Dec. 29 j Aiguille Range 9,731 F. Milne .. Dec. 30 I Mount Hamilton 9,915 Miss M. Lorimer, Mr. H. A. Holl l< , . Milne .. 1920. Jan. o Mount .Massey 7,800 Miss H. Lorimer, Mr. H. Sloman, Mr. II. A. Holl Miss I. Chambers Guideless Ascent by north face and oast arSle ; descent by west face to Sladden Glacier. Ascent and descent by west face from Ball Hut. Ascent and descent by northeast arete from Barron's Saddle. Ascent by south arete to Mueller Glacier. Ascent and descent by west arUe from Malte Brun Hut, Ascent and descent by west face and north arete from Malte Brun Hut. Ascent and descent by western face of arUe from the ■ Murchison Glacier. Ascent and descent by south arUe from Copland Pass and Hooker Hut. Ascent and descent by west face from Sladden Glacier. Jan. (i ! Mount Johnston 8,858 P. Graham Jan. 7 i Mount Spenoe 7,864 Mr. H. Sloman, Mr. II. A. Holl F. Milne . . Jan. 7 i Mount Montgomery 7,661 Ditto F. Milne . . Jan. 7 Mount Malte Brun 10,421 Miss -B. Hoklsworth, Mr. H, Chambers Mr. H. Chambers Guideless Jan. 8 Mount Hamilton 9,915 P. Graham Jan. 21 Mount Hutton 9,297 and 0,275 8,000 Miss M. Lorimer, Mr. H. Sloman, Mr. II. A. Holl Miss D. Theomin l< , . Milne .. Jan. 25 Lean Peak P. Graham Jan. 26 Mount Jean 8,000 Miss M. Lorimer, Miss 1). Theomin, Mrs. Linden, Mr. H. A. Holl Miss M. Lorimer, Mr. H. A. Holl Guideless Jan. 2(> Mount Jeannette . . 8,000 Guideless Ascent by eastern arele ; descent by east face from Sladden Glacier. Ascent and descent by west face. Traverse — ascending to (ho Copland Pass, traversing Lean and Edith Peaks, thence by main divide to summit of Ruareka ; descent by cast face to Hooker Glacier. Ascent by western arete ; descent by north face and Mona G lacier. Jan. 29 Mount Scaly 8,051 Mr. Wm. Williamson, Mr. JIadlcy Mr. H. A. Holl P. Graham Jan. 29 Ruareka Peak 8,000 F, Milne .. J an. 30 Pibrac Peak Miss D. Theomin, Mr. H. A. Holl Jan. 30 8,472 P. Milne ..