NATURE'S PARADISE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18757, 10 January 1923, Page 7

NATURE'S PARADISE

KARA POINT BUSH SCENEK-T. V —. -t (Special Correspondent.) Visitors to the seaside have been more numerous during the present season than im. • previous years, and the popular holiday ■-, - resort of Kaka Point, with its splendid. ; beaches, where safe surf bathing may bef; thoroughly enjoyed, has proved a special,;;attraction for visitors. The attractiveness and charm of a holiday spent at the “Point’V'i is not only to be fbund along the hays by - the water's edge. Native bush in New Zea-.: -- land is. generally admired, but-where tha-r, bush is *to be seen in its practically undis* turbed state of natural scenic beauty itis' more restful, pleasing, and refreshing in;-:; the eyes of roan._ Around Kaka Point, particularly in tlie vicinity of Karoro Creek, the--; native bush has found many admirers, but •; few visitors do more than penetrate the outer fringe, being quite satisfied with tho ; :.> glorious blaze o;i colours which adorns tha v >e manuka, rata, and other well-known nativaoi-i flowering trees. Apart from'the Gorreni- a-i ment scenic reserve —a fine stretch of native;-,;-bush itself—there are some privately-owned>!; tracts as yet but little known to the ordinary; y visitor. Of nheM tracts that owned by Mr - James Rcbeit-son was recently visited by ■« - - large party of ladies and gentlemen, among whom were several who pushed far into the scenic beauty of Nature in the bush-clad - ' hills and valleys in other parts of the -.- dominion. The party, on leaving the beach,' ■ travelled up the road which winds its sinu- ; ous course alongside the Karoro Creek to-' -r a spot about three miles distant. Here a short spell was called and baskets were uni ;>:■ packed. After billy tea and eatables had f received due- attention, the party, led by- -c Messrs Robertson and Kilgour, began, by---' climb the hillside. The opening stage of tha ascent was through a stretch of dead manuka, for which, the fir© scourge was respon- \ sible, and it was only after gaining the*; - further edge that the real beauty of the standing bush was to be found. Once under ■ the shade of the branches of tbe t trees which 1 overhung the- narrow track the visitors found ' themselves among a glorious profusion of-- ; shrub and fern. On every side were the' - tall, graceful tree ferns with their long -r! '• fronds bending over like huge umbrellas;; 0 ' while the earth Was clothed in a carpet of crepe and other varieties of fern whicn would delight the heart of. the student of Nature. As the party penetrated further into the busk the scene became more beautiful until, upon descending a steep declivity, a spot was reached which formed a natural amphitheatre. This was “Fairy Dell, and ‘ with its natural bridge spanning a narrow gully nothing could have been wished for , to excel its entrancing beauty. Nature had been in her most generous mood when fuijiishing this beautiful spot. Overhead could be seen the blue of the heavens through the'.; leaves of the lofty ratas, pines, birches, and maples. Countless tree ferns were., here, also to be admired. After a short spell m, this glorious paradise the return journey was commenced. . ■ ■ As the visitors retraced their steps they. , wore somewhat surprised at the quiet manner in which a native pigeon viewed their intrusion. It showed absolutely no fear. It is stated that the stoat and weasel had levied heavy toll on the native bird life during recent years, but last springtime thejpigeons anpaared to be increasing in num- . . Mr Robertson stated that there were very many places on his property quit© as beautiful as “Fairy Dell,” and he intends to hav©.a number oi: trucks cut for the oonvenieno* of lovers of the native bush. Furthermore, “ he would endeavour to spare time to guide - any parties who desire to view the beautiful ' scenery.