OVER OLD TRACKS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20323, 3 February 1928, Page 3

OVER OLD TRACKS.

SIR THOMAS MACKENZIE’S TOUR Sir Thomas Mackenzie, M.L.C., returned to Dunedin on Monday night after a tour of the L’atlins and western districts. These are portions of Otago with which Sir Thomas is very familiar. He has known them for half a century. It was in 1881 that he first crossed from Wakatipu to Martin's Day. On his recent tour Sir Thomas set out from Dunedin for the atlins district. A point that impressed itself forcibly on him was that the journey from Owaka to Tahakopa by motor was accomplished in an hour on a good road, whereas it took him three days when he covered the same ground in January, 1886, with • party that explored what was at that time a forest region, unknown and uncrossed. Settlement has progressed rapidly since those early days. The survey track followed the exploration; then came the rough road, and next the present road and railway communication, which has stopped at Tahakopa, about 40 miles from Balclutba. All the way along his route, and, in the Tahakopa Valley, Sir Thomas found a thriving and industrious people, settled on farms which have been cleared from the bush. The development of a district comes along in stages. First, the settler clears his land, selling the good timber; then be begins with a Few cows, and put in a green crop; next, the grass makes it appearance, and in time the creamery or the dairy factory follows. But it requires hearts of groat courage to undertake the hardships of work of this kind, and any reward that comes to the people for their labours is well merited. The Tahakopa beach, one of the most beautiful spots in the world, is not as well known as it deserves to be. The estuary gives boating for six or eight miles ' inland among gorgeous forest scenery. On the golden beach, washed by every tide, there is safe and delightful bathing in a gentle curve of the coast. At present, the rata is in flower, making a scene of exquisite beauty on the margin of the shore. (food fishing is to be had both on the coast and in the river. About 50 years ago trout was placed in the head waters of the Tahakopa River, which was mistaken for the Gatlins, hence the supply of fish to-day. There are extensive reserves behind the beach, one of which comprises about 700 acres, and a local scenic board is now taking a keen interest in preserving these spots of beauty, which will be a pleasure for all time. Sir Thomas Mackenzie was not alone in his wanderings. One of his companions was Mr D. T. Fleming, M.L.C., of Balclutha. Proceeding on his tour, Sir Thomas visited Mararoa, Te Anau, and Manapouri, and then went on to Wakatipu. Road communication, ho found, had been greatly improved to Mararoa, and from that point to the Lakes. The accommodation is good. “ I was more charmed than ever with the beauty of Manapouri,” said Sir Thomas, with enthusiasm. “ I think it is the loveliest lake in the world. A year ago I visited the Norwegian fiords and lakes, and there is nothing there to equal Manapouri for beauty, nor Milford Sound and Hall’s Arm for magnificence and grandeur.” “ 1 think,” continued Sir Thomas. “ that much requires to be done to bring our scenic beauty into prominence, and njake it more accessible to the holidaymaker. The tracks that particularly require improving are those that connect Wakatipu with Te Anau and Lake Harris Saddle with Lake Howden. The latter acn hardly be called a track especially in the region of Lake Mackenzie. Only recently some men went over the Saddle, and considerable anxiety was felt for their safety until they were located. The track up the Dart River to the glaciers of Mount Earnslaw also requires attention. Finally, the connection between Milfor Sound and Wakatipu by the GraveTalbot Saddle ought to be put in better order. It is absolutely necessary to connect Otago with its western coast, 't is really a reflection on us that w*e are not so connected by a road for wheeled traffic. It would give Wakatipu a port within 40 miles. If that connection were formed Lake Howden would become the Charing Cross, as it were, of our scenic grandeur. Roads diverge in five direction from Howden. This would also make Queenstown an important centre. At Te Anau the salmon fishing is becoming a feature of the place. One visitor caught 31 salmon in three days. At Manapouri I had the great pleasure of meeting old friends, Mr and Mrs Robert Murrell, and of recalling with Mr Murrell some of the exploits in which we took part in crossing the country to the west as far back as 40 years ago.” “In making these remarks about the tracks,” said Sir Thomas, “ I do not intend to reflect in any way on the member of Parliament for the district, Mr James Horn, who is doing his best: 1 merely wish to supplement his efforts.” Sir Thomas went on to speak of the great improvement agriculturally that ho saw by the application of top-dressing to soils. One ruiiholdcr informed him that land that would not carry a sheep previous to top-dressing was now carrying 6000 sheep. Another farmer remarked that, on account of top-dressing, land carrying 2500 sheep would next year carry 7500. Mr Hugh Mackenzie and his sons (of Walter Peak Station), who took up runs that at one time were practically abandoned are now running 33,000 sheep on them. This year they shore 28,000 sheep, taking 400 bales of superfine wool from their flocks. This, added Sir Thomas, has only been done by great industry and the application of knowledge. Mr Mackenzie an l his sons are now breaking up much of the rough country, and anticipate carryin r still larger flocks in a few years. Turning to one of his favourite subjects, that of birds, Sir Thomas said: “ This is a sadder tale to tell. At Gatlins I met Mr Fcddis, a well-known naturalist, who informed mo tha J nearly all the native birds have disappeared from that district. The weasel has done its worst, and what it left has been taken by the German, or brown, owl, which was introduced some years ago. At Wakatipu I was told that the fantail, the robin, the tomtit, and other birds are never seen now. With regard to the Paradise duck, during the whole of my travels I saw only five adult birds and two small broods. I was informed by local people that they seldom -cc a goodsized brood; indeed, more frequently a pair would appear without any ducklings at all, weasels having entered their nests and taken cither the eggs or the young birds. Next week Tam going to visit the Styx district, where the Paradise duck is still to be found, t hough the number has been largely diminished by -me dozens being taken out of season and in the flapper stage to send to Australia two years ago under permits issued by the Otago Acclimatisation Society. Just a word more on this subject. Twenty-five years ago the Paradise duck was threatened with extermination, and I communicated with Mr Scddon, who took action and absolutely stopped the taking of these beautiful buds. This order ren.ained in force for many years. It provided that the birds should he permanently protected, but nowadays that protection is nullified by the power given to issue Orders-in-Conncil under which Paradise, ducks are transferred to the game list. It is apparent to me that owing to shooting and other means used for taking Paradise ducks, together with the natural enemies, it is only n matter of time before this duck will disappear, and a strong effort ought to ho made by the people of Now Zealand to preserve not only the Paradise duck, but all our beautiful native birds.” "The value of our scenic reso .

added Sir Thomas Mackenzie, ' is beyond calculation, not only for our people’s delight, but to attract thousands ‘ overseas visitors, some of whom would remain permanently, while others would become emissaries to induce friends to come. It

is well known that Switzerland, Italy, and Norway every year receive vast sums from visitors-, and there is no reason why New Zealand should not avai' itself of the magnificent asset it possesses for a like purpose.”