JAPANESE SCENERY.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16583, 24 July 1919, Page 8

JAPANESE SCENERY.

TO THB EDITOB OF 'THE fBKSS." Sir—l cannot allow "Christchurch Business Girl's" criticisms of Mrs Beriy's rocont letter on Japan to go unanswered. When comparing Japaneso and New Zealand scenery-Mrs Borry wrote from experience gained by many months' travel over tho unbeaten tracks of Jauan. Tho usual m impression left on the minds of tourists who spend their time in the big cities, and among tho many curio shops, is fleetins, and, consequently, valueless. "Christchurch Business Girl's" views of Japaneso scenery arc evidently restricted by the ties of her employment. Even so, she acknowleges the universal delightful sensations which Japan at once* impresses on tourists. The troublo with "Christchurch Business Girl" is that of all foreigners who earn their living in Japan. They become homesick, and. even the most beautiful scenery has no softening cvFeet, and their judgment becomes warped. Mrs Berry travelled from north to south in all inaccessible parts- of Japan requiring tho uso of pack horses and all tho paraphernalia necessary for rough travelling. Sho ventured to parts where the villagers had never seen a white woman before. This fact alone gives Mrs Berry a perfect right to compare Japaneso and Now Zealand scenery. I will only mention three of Japan's beauty spots that have given many Now Zealand tourists a homely feeling.

Fuji, thai peerless mountain cone lias only one understudy in the world, and that is our Mount Egmont. Tho likeness is remarkable, _ though our mountain lacks over 4001) feet of Fuji's' stupendous height. Tho Rapids of ICatsura-gawa aro peculiarly like our Wanganui river in its upper reaches, except for the added beauty of cherry blossoms and azalea blooms on the steen mountain sides.

The thermal regions of the Island-of Unzen again remind one forcibly of llotorua, but here we score in extent.

I have before me Herbert G. PontI iug's book, "In Lotus Land."' Mr j Pontine, who accompanied Scott to theSouth Pole as official photographer, has filled this book with most exquisite photograohsi and as ho is one of the -world's greatest exponents of the art of photography, I cannot do better than to ask your readers to see or obtain a copy and judge for themse-lves Mrs nerry ? s claim to compare Japanese and New Zealand srenerv. —Yours, etc.. HENRY P. M. BERRY. Burwocd.