“NORTHLAND IS A FISHING PARADISE”

Northern Advocate, 29 November 1937, Page 6

“NORTHLAND IS A FISHING PARADISE”

- MELBOURNE VISITOR

A visitor to Northland for the first time, Mr W. C. Jordan, of Melbourne, is most enthusiastic about the country, its sporting facilities, and the hospitality of the people. “It’s a fisherman’s paradise,” said Mr Jordan, who has fished the waters off Whangaruru. He brought to New Zealand an all-steel “rapier” rod, which is something new to the majority of leal fishermen. About 3ft. 6in. long, the shaft is of the finest steel. An indication of the quality of its temper is given by the fact that to pack his rod Mr Jordan simply bends it in two

and stows it away in a case. A brother of Mr E. F. Jordan, of Whangaruru, the visitor is a retired butcher, but, as he describes it, has ‘ completely sold out” and spends his time enjoying life. He is a handy man with rifle and shot-gun alike, and when he leaves Whangarei in a week’s time for Rotorua and the south, Mr Jordan hopes to get some sport among the deer of New Zealand.

He is looking forward to seeing the thermal wonders.

Outback of Australia.

In his time, Mr Jordan has done much travelling, particularly in the outback of Australia. Eight or nine years ago, before the “caravan” age, Mr, Jordan built a four-wheeler trailer of his own design, and undertook a tour of the notorious bush-ranger district.

In the course of the journey he secured an interesting collection of photographs of the wild and rugged country where Ned Kelly and his band roamed in the good—or bad —old days. Bullet-scarred buildings are still standing in the Euroa country—an interestng relic of the lawless days of the past.

A snapshot, taken from the top of a precipice, recalls memories of another bushranger. The spot is known as “Power’s Look-Out,” and from the cliff-top 500 or 600 feet above the lowlands Power, another notorious outlaw, could watch for the approach of any police party. So rough was the country that the authorities could not find a way into Power’s hideout.

Sound Economic Conditions,

In Australia, Mr Jordan said, the economic conditions were very sound. There was no boom and no slump. Australia might be said to be building' up gradually on a very solid foundation.

“The scenery in Northland is very fine indeed,” the visitor commented, and paid tribute to the good roads of the North. Whilst he has not been after big-game fish here, Mr Jordan had an exciting struggle with a 15-feet shark which He took on a schnapper line in shallow water. After 20 minutes’ light, he got the shark to the rocks, where it broke free. At schnapper fishing, however. Mr Jordan has been most successful and has been invited to accompany a party on a hapukafishing expedition before he loaves the North.

Mr Jordan is particularly qualified to speak of stock and stock raising, and in this respect entertains High hopes for Northland’s future.

Impressed With Country.

“The country of the North Island has impressed me very much,” he said. “I can see great prospects in this part of the country for sheep and cattle raising. A little bit of clearing up and top dressing will work wonders. I found the roads here exceptionally good—better than 1 anticipated on coming to the country, “I have looked over quite a number of cattle and I found that they could do with a little more building up in the bone. Your lambs stand out as some of the best I have ever handled. Wool is in quite fair condition. “The people, since I came to New Zealand, have treated me with tSe greatest of courtesy.” Mr Jordan will leave shortly for Rotorua and the south, and intends returning to Melbourne before Christmas. Northland, however, has impressed him greatly, “You will see me again,’ he said, and smilingly remarked that if Northlanders continued to treat him well, there was every possibiity of him settling clown hero as “a good New Zealand-