THE BUSH

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22271, 9 December 1937, Page 6 (Supplement)

THE BUSH

(By George Goldsmith) The bush on the mountain-side above the place where I live is, I think, the most cool and pretty place I have ever seen. The big, shady birch-trees hang over the streams and paths, and the cool, clear water gurgles along, splashing down little waterfalls and rippling gently over the stones. There are two lime-kilns above the tracks which lead away up on the hills. The first one of these is a round one, set down in a small gully along the top of which the track leads. It cannot be seen much from the top of the gully, but if one goes down the track, more Of the kiln can be seen. The second track leads to the other lime-kiln. This one is a square one, and by climbing up a very steep track by the side of it, the top of the lime-kiln can be reached. At one end there is a round hole in which logs and weeds of all sorts are. It is very deep and if you fell doton, nothing could stop the fall as the sides are sheer. Round this kiln most of the ground is limestone, while huge rocks of it tower above.

There are a great many kowhai trees about here as they grow well in soil, and in which there’ is a lot of lime. When the trees are in flower they look just a mass of golden blooms. Sometimes, in the bush, the wanderer comes across some crimson rata or starry white clematis. What can be more cool and pleasant than the bush on a summer’s day ?