WESTERN SOUTHLAND.

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 22, 26 January 1929, Page 24

WESTERN SOUTHLAND.

Apart altogether from the cold lakes, however, there are many interesting places to visit in' Southland, of which Riverton, and western Southland are two. Another place, renowned in quarters far beyond New Zealand,, is Curio Bay. "Trip" has never actually made this run, but it is an easy one from Invercargill, out to Waikawa, from which it is but a short distance to the bay. Here it is possible to see a fossilised forest with tree ferns and other trees all of. stone. It is not widely .known, but geologists have come from far and near to ieartf its story. Riverton, some 25 miles from -Invercargill, is one of Southland's oldest settlements, aiid to-day is its most popular watering place. A good camping '.ground is available close to tho beach, and in January, when aquatic sports are held on the estuary, Riverton is a very pleasant spot at which to stay. The run out to Tuatapere, in Western Southland, is along the Southernmost coast. It passes through dairy-1 ing country, and up through Orepuki, near which gold mining is still in evidence. At Tuatapere you come to the verge of the cleared country, and by'leaving tho main roar! it is possible to get through to the virgin land, where sawmilling is still very much in evidence. 'Good camping -accommodation is available at Tuatapere, and for fishing enthusiasts this can well be made the headquartersj for there are < good trout streams in the vicinity.

Tho best, run back to Invcrr.argill is through Otaufau, a progressive little

centre around which there is some line fiirniing'aml cropping country.. One of the things which the North Island far-mer-visitor will envy is the amount of limestone available in places. On many oi, Hio roads small limestone crushingoutfits will bo seen at work, and it is little wonder that Southland stands preeminent as the liming district of the Dominion. Around liivcrcargill "itself there are numerous places worth seeing, of which the botanical gardens and fine park, of which the camping ground forms a portion, are by no means least. The Oreti beach, a few miles from the town, is very fine, and in the kind of weather often experienced in January, very welcome. In conclusion, "Trip" would like to reiterate that Southland has not a cold climate, ; and that its summer weather is comparable to the best of the North Jsland weather, with the advantage that the nights arc almost invariably cool. It is a prosperous well farmed district, with excellent roads, progressive towns, and country equal to anything, to be found in New Zealand. From every viewpoint, it .should appeal to the visitor, for. #i addition to these practical evidences of prosperity it has scenery to equal in grandeur anything to be found in New Zealand.