The volcanic cones of Mounts Egmont and Ruapehu have been favoured scenes from early on for New Zealand photographers. Charles Spencer was no exception.
The first two images are of Egmont, taken from New Plymouth and from the Mountain’s slopes. The last two images are of Ruapehu from a point near workers accommodation.
Mount Egmont from the New Plymouth recreation grounds
Mount Egmont from The Mountain House
Mount Ruapehu from the service road above the Spiral (see also the close-up below).
In this close-up crop you can see workers’ huts on both sides of the road. On the right hand side a woman looks like she is fetching firewood. At the end of the road is someone on horse back. Pretty good resolution in such a pre-digital age.