VISIT TO HOMEBUSH ESTATE

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21905, 5 October 1936, Page 7

VISIT TO HOMEBUSH ESTATE

RAILWAY DEPARTMENT’S EXCURSION One of the most pleasant spots in Canterbury—the Homebush Estate —was visited by the 400 people who took part in the Railway Department’s seventh mystery tramping excursion yesterday. The route of the tramp took the party over, easy rolling down country and through plantations of trees which are without equal in New Zealand. Although a strong and cold north-west wind was blowing towards the end of the morning, the later part of the day was very warm and fairly calm. ' The train took the hampers to Sheffield railway station, and from there the route took them over the down country through the properties cl Messrs James, Douglas, and William Deans. A halt was made at Auchenflower road for lunch, and there tne party was joined by Mr James Deans, who indicated points of special interest in the surrounding countryside. When the plantations were reached the hampers assembled while he descrined the way the country had been forested, the nature and manner of growth of the different trees, and their future use. Near the Homebush homestead particular interest was taken in the plantations of larches and Douglas fir, with large Scottish wild cherry trees in full bloom' among them, and also in the countless and very varied specimen? of rhododendrons which have been planted about the hillside in the shelter of the trees.

For those wno did riot wish to undertake the nine miles’ walk the train went later from Sheffield to Homebush, arriving at 1 p.m., and there the Railway Department provided tea for the trampers coming over the hills. Before the train left on the return" journey a spokesman’ for the trampers thanked Mr Deans for his hospitality.

Canada’s dwindling Indian population has taken an upward turn, as the result of a welfare programme initiated by the. Department of Indian Affairs. The total Indian population for 1934 was given as 112,510, compared with 104,*894 in 1924. The programme which has changed the tide is being applied principally in the schools. Pupils are given careful examinations, and those who show symptojns of diseases to which the Indians appear most susceptible are X-rayed. They are grouped according to their condition, and necessary treatment is provided. The Department of Indian Affairs employs some 600 doctors and dentists. It has several hospitals of its own, operates a small field nursing organisation, and maintains sick Indians in about 200 public hospitals. Drugs are supplied without charge.