IN SOUTHLAND.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 48, Issue 145, 30 March 1928, Page 6

IN SOUTHLAND.

THE CANTERBURY FARMERS.

TRIP TO STEWART ISLAND

;Per Press Association.)

INVERCARGILL, March -29. The form of entertainment provided to-dav for the Canterbury farmers was a complete change from the preceding da-s Nearly 400 of them boarded a special train at 8 o'clock for Bluff, where they embarked on'the tug Southland for Btewart Island. The day was oloriously fine, and the trip was conducted under ideal conditions. A special attraction was a close-up view, at the head of Paterson's Inlet,, of the Norwegian oil-tanker, UJ A. _ Larsen, which is now being relieved of its cargo

to facilitate temporary prior to her removal to Port Chalmers for dockincr A large number of barrels of oil «re to be seen stored awaiting removal and a big crew lined up to give the visitors a cheer. Luncheon was provided at Half Moon Bay, and the party had a good two hours at their disposal to visit a few of the charming scenic spots with which the Island is so generously endowed. ' Any id-effect that southern scenic resorts may suiter through official inactivity will be offset after to-day, so far as Canterbury is concerned. . . . Prior to the steamer leaving on the return journey, thanks were conveyed to the islanders, and the local County Council chairman expressed a hope that as a result of the visit the Island would be more securely placed on the, tourist

1U Bluff was' reached at 6 o'clock, and luvercargill before 7. The outing was a delightful one. . , Others of the party, in pursuit ot knowledge, visited various points or interest in and around luvercargill. A few inspected stud farms while two 'bus loads journeyed to Edendale to sec the sugar-of-milk factory. For those of another turn of mind, the hospitality of the Invercargill Racing Club was extended for its second day's racing, and more than a handful went there To-morrow an Island trip will be run for the balance of the party, and the Edendale programme will also be repeated. Stock sales and stud larms .will be visited by others. To-morrow concludes the programme. The whole affair reflects the greatest credit on those responsible—the Railway Department's officers, the representatives of the local farming organisations and the general body of farmers who provided the means of transport. The crowd of visitors far exceeded what the local people expected, but adequate car provision was made overnight,, and on the Tuesday morning over 200 cars were available to take the army around. The provisioning of the visitors was no small matter, but in this also no breakdown of any sort occurred. The hospitality everywhere the party travelled was unbounded, and if a return visit should take place Canterbury will have to out its best foot forward if anything like an adequate return is to be made. . •

The delay caused in the arrival of the train on Monday night will be avoided on the return journey by a number of the passelgers proceeding home by the express on Saturday. Approximately two hundred, representing stations south of Ashburton, will travel by the express. The balance of five hundred odd, representing Ashburton and northwards, will travel by the special leaving Invercargill at 4.45 on Saturday morning.