QUAINT SCENES.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 10509, 13 February 1928, Page 6

QUAINT SCENES.

LIKE IN NORTHERN QUEENSLAND. FISHES THAT WALK ON FINS. MYSTERIOUS CREATURES OF BARRIER REEF. STORIES BY VISITOR TO GISBORNE. 'Amongst the visitors to Gisborne just now is Mr Bond, the wed-known artist, who, in an interview with a Gisborne 'limes reporter, told some interesting stories of life in Northern Queensland. Before joining to New Zealand, Mr Bond spent about twelve months in Northern Queensland, where lie journeyed into many out-of-the-way places in search of material for his brush. He was camped for four or live months in the bush about- 150 miles past Cairns, studying the remarkable scenery of the place. His life in that deserted outpost was by no means monotonous on account of the quaint customs of the inhabitants and the strange animal and insect and bird life. For example, at Maluytown one day lie was walking near the mangrove swamps fringing the shore when lie noticed a curiouslooking object moving about in the mud. Qu investigation he found it to he a lisii which was actually walking about among the tree roots on its fins. Had it not lmen for the softness of the mud which impeded his progress he considers that he could have captured it. He learnt later that it was called the “walking fish” and was found only in that part ol the world, its chief characteristic being that it habitually went walking about the land on its side fins, throwing itself from side' to side in a curious manner.

“The climate of the Far North is Usually considered to he steamy and hot and tropical,” continued Mr. Bond. “In reality it is wonderful. In the summer the heat is not felt at all. These northern parts of Queensland are ideal for tourists. The scenery, too. is worth seeing. In fact, I hope to go north again and spend a winter there. When I do so 1 intend to make a picture of Cairns by night, with the lights strung along the sea-lrout reflected m ttio water.

“The healthiness of the climate is proved by the fact that the children show no ill-effects; those I saw in Cairns were quite as fresh and strong looking as' your New Zealanders. 1 have heard it said that the north is not fit for white people to live in, but the inhabitants, including the adults, are pictures of health. Cairns is a beautiful ,town and contains many fine residences, some of the most expensive houses costing up' to £6OOO. Last, but not least, the Cairns residents arc the most charming people f have met in Australia and New Zealand.” While in Cairns Mr Bond was the guest of the Great Barrier Reef Research Committee on a visit to the reef. He found it to be an amazing place and one well worthy of a visit by tourists. Relow the shallow green waters of the Coral Sea lay a panorama of marine life that- could scarcely be matched elsewhere. The strange and vivid hues of the shell fish and starfish, lying on their beds of coral, made a sight never to be forgotten. Some of these mysterious inhabitants of the reef were repulsive, some gorgeously beautiful, and some dangerous. , For instance, be once thrust a stick into the gaping mouth of a huge clam like shellfish that was lying in wait for food. Tim two. sides of the shell crashed together instantly and broke the stick in two. Probably - the most repulsive things were a kind of big shellfish known bv the very descriptive name of “spiders.” Mr Rond picked up one ol these one, day and was. fortunately, carrying it- by one of the long spines with which the shell was decorated. Suddenly lie noticed an indescribably ugly marine creature emerge and begin to puncture the shell with its powerful beak, a few inches from his hand. He learr-t afterwards that the creature was able to inflic-t a dangerous and poisonouwound with its beak. The air of the reef was filled with millions of sea-birds which literally darkened the skv and almost deafened the visitor with their wild screeching. They actually had to be shoved out of the way when walking about the reef. On one occasion Mr Rond complimented the cook on the excellent “lamb” arid “swede turnips” which he had prepared. The turnips after nroved to hg birds’ eggs mashed with butter'.

Mr Horn! lins made 2 r -0 pictures of beauty spots in Australia, partieularlv in North Queensland. He spent three months in the Blue Mountains of New South "Wales before cumins to Queensland, but- he favors, North Queensland owing to its greater v;j t*i«t.v of color in the trees on the tablelands. In .the 15 tf it on Gorge were to be seen the most wonderful I (lendings of colors imaginable. Mr Bond is rirofiieent with the pen as well .is with the brush and is unn engaged in writing a hook based on his Queensland experiences. He has been travelliim- in different parts of the world exhibiting his matures and proposes to set out shortly on a further tour.