OVERSEA VISITORS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 49, 21 November 1928, Page 12

OVERSEA VISITORS

INFLUX OF TOURISTS COMMENCING INTEREST IN OUR SCENIC ATTRACTIONS The influx of visitors from tall parts of the world for the new tourist season in New Zealand is just commencing, and there have been several arrivals by the boats which have reached Wellington this week. Among'-'- those who arrived by the Maunganui on Monday were Mr. and Mrs. L. R. Miller, of New York. Mr. Miller is the newly-appointed Assistant Trade Commissioner in Sydney, and is on his way to take up the position. He lived for some years in England, three of which were spent nt Oxford University. but he is a native-born American. During the two days Mr. and Mrs. Miller have been in Wellington they have been motored round the city and suburbs, and were much charmed with the bays and scenery from the hills. After inspecting an album of New Zealand scenery, they both expressed a wish to return and spend a holiday in the Dominion. Mr. Miller is an ardent fisherman, and hopes to come and try the trout at Taupo and Rotorua. Mr. Miller stated that Americans are getting tired of Europe, and are showing a preference for coming south. The average American, however, had a very vague idea of what New Zealand must be like. From the little he had seen he was sure Americans would be delighted with their visits here. Mrs. Miller is the well-known pianist whose stage name is Madame Sonya Michell, and she is preparing to give a series of concerts in New Zealand next winter. Another visitor is Mr. L. A. Robb, vice-president of the New South Wales branch of the Imperial League of Returned Soldiers and Sailors, who has just completed a three weeks’ holiday in the North Island, and returned by the Maunganui last night. He was given a very cordial welcome by the Wellington R.S.A. . Mr. Roma Grey, son of Mr. Zane Grey, and Mr. Bob Carney, of New York, accompanied by Mr. E. C. AViffen, of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society, left by the ferry steamer last night for the southern rivers and lakes, where they intend fishing for trout and salmon. They expect to be away for about three weeks, returning to Wellington in time to meet Mr. Zane Grey upon his arrival in Wellington about December 17. A New Swordfish. Mr. Roma Grey stated that while the fishing at Tahiti had not been particularly successful so far as big fish were concerned, the party had disc ivered what they believed to be a new type of swordfish, one having a sword with an upward curve. They ■ are satisfied that it is a new variety of the swordfish family. Mr. Zane Grey has sold his famous yacht, “The Fisherman,” to a wealthy planter in the islands, so for this year he 'null be fishing from launches in New Zealand waters. World’s Playground. Mr. F. H. Cope, of Susquehana Country, Penns., with his daughter, arrived in Wellington on Tuesday, and will spend two months in the Dominion before proceeding to Australia and the East. Mr. Cope is particularly interested in the flora and fauna of New Zealand, while Miss Cope wishes to further her geological studies. They will leave shortly for their tour of the North Island, and will then visit the South Island. Looking through au album of New Zealand scenery, including glaciers, geysers, volcanoes, mountain and bush, Mr. Cope was much impressed by the variety New Zealand had to offer, and remarked : “New Zealand ought to be the playground of the world.” Mr. F. P. Clatworthy, of the National Geographic Society, who spent some weeks in New Zealand last year, taking a number of autochrome plates of scenery and native life, is now touring the United States giving a series of lantern lectures on New Zealand, exhibiting the coloured plates which he took here.