SPORTING FACILITIES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 64, Issue 33, 18 November 1943, Page 2

SPORTING FACILITIES.

IN THE ASHBURTON COUNTY. WIDE SCOPE AVAILABLE. A survey of sporting facilities in Mid-Canterbury, of which the following is a precis, was given by the County Clerk (Mr G. Kelly) in recent addresses to various organisations in the district. Few people realise the wonderful sporting facilities with which Nature has endowed the Ashburton County. Native duck, swan and pukeko abound in all the lakes, rivers and swamps, as well as the acclimatised mallard ducks and Canadian geese. There are large sanctuaries within which the game must not be disturbed, assuring their’ maintenance in perpetuity. In the foothills there are chukor, a partridge from the Himalayas, which had its first liberation In this County. Since their introduction red deer have multiplied to such an extent that they may be stalked at any season, all restrictions and licence fees having been abolished. In addition there are vast numbers of rabbits, whose destruction is most desirable. So much for the shooting enthusiast.

Anglers also find the Ashburton rivers and lakes a paradise. All the river mouths yield fish of the best varieties, including sea-run trout of large size, quinnat salmon and sea fish such as kahawai, cod and herring. In the upper reaches are found brown trout and at Lakes Heron, Clearwater, Emma, Camp and Spider, rainbow and brown trout and land-locked quinnat salmon may be taken. . Ashburton also has the distinction of possessing fontenalis, a sporting fish not xinlike the trout, introduced 50 years ago and liberated in Lake Emily. Would Be Hard To Better. For the tired business man, the man who desires peace and solitude, the student of outdoor life, Ashburton Coxxxity offers facilities for the use of guix, l’od and line which would be hard to better. More active winter sport is also available to an unlimited extent. All the lakes provide ideal skating rinks under natural conditions and they are also within easy x'each. of the town. The mountains in themselves are a great attraction to those inclined to mountaineering and there are plenty of l good, diificxxlt climbs to test the endurance of the young people. While it would not be correct to say that the inhabitants of the County have lost their appreciation of these advantages constant contact has inclined to dull their appreciation. It is only when visitors express delight at the plentiful opportunities of sport which are available that they are reawakened to what lies at their doors.