VISIT TO PEEL FOREST

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21685, 20 January 1936, Page 17

VISIT TO PEEL FOREST

SUNSHINE AND LIGHT MIST The beauty of Peel. Forest its restfulness and its accessibility are gradually being realised and appreciated by residents of Christchurch. During the last few years, from early in January until Easter, the Hallway Department, in conjunction With Mr C. W- McKenzie, of Geraldine, has organised fortnightly excursions to this, fine scenic resort. For a time . these excursions did not.arouse smcb public interest, but they have cently grown considerably-to-favour. Yesterday, * when the sectptT.pf. the 1938 series was held, nearly 50' persons made the trip, apd that number were some overseaswaiters and eight who had -gone* bn a amilar excursion only a fortnight before. • The excursionists left TJbrlfdchurch by train at 8 am. and reached'Otari at 11. From. there they wore taken by bus and cars to. Peel Forest, Which was reached at noon. The reserve - comprises 1200 .acres of native-bush, and'through it have been cut Si* miles of tracks. Serviceable shelter sheds, each with two fireplaces, have been built at each side of the forest, and in each is a useful map, shewing the tracks leading to the different points of particular interest in and near the reserve.

On orrivalt Mr P. & Taylor, of the Railway Department Tyho was in charge of the excursion, took a party for a short walk by a new track through Mill’s Bush, past huge totaras —the largest being 29 feet 0 inches in circumference —and back to the stone bridge, where lunch was taken, Mr McKenzie providing a generous supply of tea, milk, sugar, and hot water. Then the visitors set out through the bush. The paths, carpeted with leaves and bordered with ferns, were particularly beautiful. Probably, because of the wet season, the mosses were more plentiful and of a brighter green than they usually are at this time of the year, and the ferns were larger and fresher looking. And these were only some of the sights to be enjoyed in the bush. The konini trees were in berry, the ribbonwood in flower, the rata just showing colour, and the birds, fearless and friendly, flitted about the tracks or sang from the high branches. Many of the excursionists kept to the main track from Mount Peel road to Blandswood, but about 30 of the more energetic climbed up the Deer Spur, where, 2300 feet above sea level, they cleared the bush line and had a magnificent view of the plantations, the Rangitata river, and the plains stretching out to the coast line.

The weather had been perfect until this point was reached.' But as the climbers, eager to reach the top of Little Mount Peel, hurried up the open hillside, a cold south-west mist swept over the mountain, shutting out the view, and Mr Taylor decided to lead the party back just before 'the summit was reached. The descent to Blandswood was quickly made, and here Mr McKenzie again served tea in the shelter shed, while light rain began to fall steadily.

On the return journey to Orari, the party visited the grounds of Commander George Dennistoun’s home- . stead 10 see a giant votara tree, which, it has been estimated by the Forestry Department, is the second oldest living totara in the South Island. At Qrari tho excursionists joined the .train, from Timaru and reached Christchurch at 0.30 p.m.