HOLIDAY HAUNTS

Evening Star, Issue 18173, 13 January 1923, Page 12

HOLIDAY HAUNTS

STILL WELL PATRONISED. BRIGHTON. Tim enthusiasm aroused by the recent carnival has not subsided yet at this popular resort. Visitors are still coming and going, especially at the week-ends. Holiday crowds were much in evidence on (Saturday and Sunday last. Large numbers of people, the young and old of both sexes, were busily engaged delving industriously in nn enclosed portion of the beach. Inquiry elicited the news that a treasure hunt was in progress. The finder of a particular disc would bo rewarded for bis discovery by .something substantia! in Hie shape of money. It may be mentioned, by the way, that the bunt awakened the interest of a stay-at-home resident who had a garden. This alert individual required some spade work to be done, (o bis garden, and, • 1 iko W. Vv. Jacobs's Bob Pretty, of Clayborough, struck on a bright and easy method of accomplishing the work. He, offered the garden for a treasure hunt; but the holi-day-makers had probably overworked themselves on the beach, for it is not reported that there was any response. VVIIAIIE FLAT. Where Flat war. singularly well patronised during the recent week-ends and the holidays. This district of rugged peaks, bush-clad gullies, and hillsides and pleasant valleys has always been a favorite resort for city dwellers and visitors. Just now the “ Flat " itself presents the appearance of a happy valley— i cosy houses and cribs hidden among the groves, plenty of feed all over the lowlying pastures, herds of well-fed cattle, creeks everywhere, and, casting a glamor over mead and down and cottage, the sun adds its bountiful charm. At this period of the year, and until the end of February, the sunshine lingers on the “ Flat” from early morning till lata in tha evening. Despite the manner in which the valley is locked in between hills and great peaks, the sunny hours arc long and glorious—just uow, at any rate. There are numerous places of interest and charm in the extensive neighborhood verging on the “Flat,” and all over the district the rambler and sportsman can roam to bis heart’s content. Unfortunately of late sportsmen from Dunedin are not exercising sufficient respect for the great natural liberties they enjoy. Wild shooting has already resulted in the death of some stock.

An object of some interest to many visitors should bo tho splendid specimen of petrified wood lying adjacent to the gate of the old homestead that formerly belonged to Mr M'Quilkan, The wood, of course, is solid rock, and exports claim that it was originally cedar. It must be a considerable time since cedar grew in Otago. The relic was recovered from tho creek, and is certainly a big and most interesting specimen. THE BATS AND BEACHES.

There are plenty of holiday-makers frequenting Broad Bay, Macandrew Bay, and Tomahawk. Tho latter resort has had its goodly share of visitors coming and going. The beach has been very blowy for the last few week-ends, but tho tides have been getting kjnder, enabling people to walk out to Bird Island. For the pastfew weeks residents of Tomahawk have boon getting any amount of fish by using ordinary band nets. There were large crowds at St. Clair beach on Saturday afternoon and on Sunday. Tho weather just happened to be ideal on both days. ' Surfing conditions were perfect. Two beautiful haunts that are attracting invariable attention from residents of the city and visitors are the Gardens and Ross Crook reservoir. The latter is an ideal place, within easy reach of the city, for picnics. Another charming place as convenient, and quite as popular, is Fraser’s Creek. RAMBLER.