ENGLISH SPORTSMAN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20875, 18 May 1931, Page 10

ENGLISH SPORTSMAN.

PRAISE FOR DOMINION.

VARIETY OF ATTRACTIONS. dee:r-stalking and fishing. New Zealand's attractions as a holiday ground for the overseas visitor have greatly impressed Major Sir Douglas Hall, D.5.0., of the Colds!ieam Guards, who will sail to-day after a visit extending over three months. He is accompanied by Lady Hall and they will make their homeward journey via the Pacific Islands, sailing on the Tofua this morning and joining the Monowai later at Suva.

"Neiv Zealand is certainly one of the finest places for a holiday that I know," said Sir Douglas last evening, and Lady Ilall, who accompanied him on most of his less arduous expeditions, lost no time in confirming his 'statement by adding that the greatest tribute they could pay lay in the fact that they had already made plans for their return next summer. Their visit has been a "sporting holiday," of which, they state, they have not wasted a day. Sir Douglas has caught swordfish in the North, stalked deer in Westland, shot chamois at Mount Cook and caught trout in the Tongariro River. Such a marvellous variety of sport, he said, could not he found in such a small space in any other part of the world.

"Tho deer-stalking is quite tho best tiling I have over done and if thoro is ono thing more than another that is bringing mo back it is that," said Sir Dougl.is. He penetrated deep into the mountainous country between tho Mueller Pass and the Landsbrough River in Westland. Many heads fell to his riflo and he brought four out. Ono was a first-class 15-pointer. By a special privileges Sir Douglas was able to shoot a chamois at Mount Cook and from what he saw there ho is of tho opinion that chamois and lhar shooting in New Zealand is likely to become some of the best in the world. Both Sir Douglas and Lady Hall wore fascinated with the trout fishing at Tongariro River, where they met with great success. The fighting qualities of tho fish and their size provided an unusual experiences for ihem. The best fish they caught weighed 131b. an'J in one morning Sir Douglas returned with nine in his creel. He lamented the fact, however, that the river was being over-fished. "On ono occasion," he said, "there were i four rods and a shag fishing ono pool. I think the shag did best." Sir Douglas and Lady Hall hope to visit the Wanganui River and the Franz Josef Glacier when they return next year. Sir Douglas intends to go immediately io Westland for deer-stalking. "And while you are there." intervened Lady Hall. "I shall be back, among the marvellous trout at Tongariro."