A DAY OUT.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14660, 8 May 1913, Page 3

A DAY OUT.

MINISTER SEES THE OOUKTKY

ISOLATED SETTLERS.

(from: ottr srEnAT, nEronxKi , ..) HANMKR SI'KLNGS, Vsy y. The Minister of Railways to-day nai a most interesting and instructive dai touring in the North Canterbury <l\s trict. Mr Herries, from his experience: on Tuesday, expressed tho opinion thai this district has before it a grcal future, and the additional Jand he tra versed to-day can only nave confirmee him in this view. Tho party left Waiau at about tor o-ciock, in traps and gigs driven by the settlers, and were nrst takou across the Mason river, which was in moderate flood, by fords which, to say the least, were "interesting." At this point i 1 was represented to tho Minister that a bridge across this spot was to b£ desired. Under existing conditions access -to Waiau was denied tc the Lyndon and other seH:lers across the river. Their sheep could not cross, and had to be driven some eight miles to an upper bridge, and, naturally, in . the process, lost something of their value. So keenly did the , settlers teel the necessity of the -brdge that they ■were prepared to contribute pound for pound for a Government subsidy towards the object. Should the railway corno to Wcin.ii this bridge would be of vital importance, for unless it were completed the proper advantage from the lino would not bo te!t by a very considerable area of country. Tho Minister, after to three points, rrWTPmended t'*.ifc tho County Council should approuch_ the Government for a subsidy on the Tines indicated. • ■ SEEING THE COUNTRY. From this point the party proceeded some dozen mile>s or more across country to tils Haumer road, whore a Government motor completed the journey to the popular resort. The morning, fortunately, was gloriously tine, and enabled the Minister to gain an accurate idea of the agricultural possibilities of the country traversed, and at the same time to enjoy a continuous panorama of almost unparalleled magnificence and beauty, xho mountains on every side were glistening with thick coats of early snow, while on the lower levels the autumn tints of the plantations fringing the river completed a picture of exceptional charm. Jf'rom the agricultural side the drive was most interesting: By skirting the Waiau river the Minister was enabled to view the Lyndon No. 2 Settlement, where the Government settlers are achieving excellent results. Fine grain , can be grown here, and some patches are eminently suited for dairy inrminp;. lieyond rli.iibt, .however/transit facilities are required before tho best results can be got from the land. As it is, grain must be carted a distance of twentytwo mifes in a g-eat semi-circular routo (to avoid the river> to the rail head at Culverdcn. find that, of course, cuts aw?.y much of the nrnfit. An idea of tho isolation of the Teor>'e nviy be. rrnthered frcvn the fact that every morning-two children of ten r>nd eleven yearr- of ape must drive eleven m'les to pohool at Wninn nm\ rrhirn in tbo eveiv-nc;. In the course of i* , ?* journey they <vn<is nnd reeross th -, Mnsci river, in ■whioh, ju<rt a few nights ago, a settler was overturned. A COUNTRY HCNT. A little colour was lent to. the journej , ou arrival at Mr lJinican x.uixicrford's Lealie HiJls stai;bn, where a country hunt was iouua to be in progress over tno magnittcant broad acres of this h'ne citato. T::e pack of tiurcyfive hounds could be seau in full-cry or the hares, while an equal number ot bold riders of both sexes followed after. Mr Duncan Uiuhcrfor-d, witu characteristic hospiLality. met the Minister and entertained his party to the first "round ,, of the huntsmen's dinner. Tho function was a very br:glit and interesting one. in of tho keen winter wind from the snows, and tormed a very pleasant break trom the ordinary routine of Ministerial toTirs. After Mr llutherfe-rd had driven the Minister a few miles to the motor, tee journey to Hanmer was completed under favourable conditions. The Minister visited the Sanatorium, and will leavo again to-morrow morning for Chnstchureh, visiting Kaiapoi and SLefDeld on the way.