OUR TIMARU LETTER.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7222, 10 April 1885, Page 3

OUR TIMARU LETTER.

Timabu, April 9. Sices writing you last I have had tho pleasure of visiting the Mount Cook district. The great attractions of tho scenery have not been overestimated. Tho inconvenience of bad roads in some parts ia entirely loat sight of in contemplating tho pleasures of the trip, Lakes, rivero, rough, beetling cragp, and snowy, towering mountains vie with each other in entrancing the eye, and charming the mind into the loftiest and happiest sonso of enjoyment. The glorious atmc^-hero of those mountain regions has to bo breathed and dwelt in to bo thoroughly appreciated. From Burke'a Pass to the Hookur Glacier the purity of the atmosphere and ita health-innpiring iuflueuco could hardly be surpassed anywhere. The effect ou one'o appstito is souic-thiag astounding. You may leave town miserable nnd depressed, but beforo you have gone 50 miles in amongst tho hills a load seems lifted from yon, and you feel a new man._ There are no doctors •or druggiets required iv those regions. I cannot hero dwoll on all tho charms of tho road, but cannot help advising all those who can possibly gat away— and five or six daya would do—to make an effort to reach the Hooker Glacier, near tho spurs of Mount Cook, where, if they do not feal elevated, inspired, and charmed, they muse be mado of very dull clay. A very commodious hotel, to bo called The Hermitage, is now nearly completed afc the foot of tha mountain spurs which converge near tho Hooker Glacier. Mr Huddlestone, the Mount Cook ranger, is the enterprising proprietor. This gentleman has a great lovo for thoao mountain regions, and, being a talented artist, visitors may be sure of baing directed to the moat beautiful spots. Before another year comns round, it is to bo hoped that something will ba dono to improve the road, a3 at present it is very much like this wicked world—full of ups and downs of a rather abrupt naturo. Newspaper critica are very fond of bringing to light all manner of abuses, imaginary and real, in connection with our Hospital. It is refreshing to be able to record, by way of relieving the monotony, a remarkable case redounding to the credit of that institution. Same •few week 3 ago a pnor fellow named Dinnio—a relation of Donald's, by-theby6— got kicked on the head by a horse. The skull was knocked in, and a holo made over an inch deep. The operation of trepanning was performed, and although the patient lost a small portion of hia brain, he is now progressing favourably. The man has a fine constitution, a quiet temperament, has always lived a sober life, and being a nativo of Aberd&enshire, he could doubtless spare a spoonful of brains; but given all that, tho Bkill ana attention bestowed upon him have been important factors in hispresent advanced state of convalescence. Up-country races aro not usually considered the correct thing aa fashionable amusements, but it can be said of the Ifairlie Creek races recently held that they were run for the pure love of the thing, each horse going on his merits. The only drawback to_ these up. country meetings—and it is a serious one—in the over-indulgence in strong drink by the "drouthy cronies." I passed through the township the day after tho races, and the number of men who wore enffnring a painful recovery from thoir provioua day's debauch wars something out of all proportion to tho population of the district, and sadly out of unison with the " bad time?." There ia plenty of work for reformers yet in this " v&la of tears." j Tho Canterbury Volunteer encampment at Winchester this year h&3 proved a great euceeao. Tho weather was maguificout, and as the scenery in the locality ia very pleasant, everyone enjoyed the outing thoroughly. Tho sham fight went off without a hitch. The tug of-war proved a vory attractive part of the proceedings, tho C. Y.C. pulling off the honours after a very hard contest. At the annual meeting of the Education Board, Mr Goldsmith, of Waimate, was appointed chairman for the ensuing year. A voto cf thanks was passed to the retiring chairman, Mr Barclay, for the manner in which he had eonduotedthe duties of the office during tho past year. The nppoint.meut of Mr Wood aa successor to Mr Scott at' the Tiniaru School was duly confirmed on the delibsratii'e vote of the new chairman, Mr Goldsmith. Tho retiring chairman opposed the appointment of Mr Wood.