A CHARMING ANNUAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21773, 12 October 1932, Page 4

A CHARMING ANNUAL

HARBINGER OF CHRISTMAS OUR WEALTH OF SCENERY By general consent the Otago Witness Christmas Annual occupies a front-rank position in a country famed for high-class Christmas productions, and this year’s issue, to be published on Monday next, will worthily uphold the reputation established. Nature was in prodigal mood when she scattered her gifts over the land of the Long White Cloud, and in no part of it more than the South Island. To roam among this prodigal wealth of scenery with a camera is to the true artist even more exciting than the adventuring with rod or gun is to the true sportsman. In this lotus land of singular charm are set many of the magnificent full-page photographs which distinguish the Otago Daily Times and Witness Annual for 1932. In these modern days of, mechanised transport roads have become an index to the standard of progress in every country. This does not apply only to utility roads, important and indispensable as these unquestionably are, but also to highways which may be regarded as primarily show roads. Among others in the annual two new roads especially unfold panoramic beauty in great variety. The Te.AnauMilford road provides the means for some outstanding pictures, notably '■ two full pages entitled “In a Fringe of Red Beech" and “Shadowed Beauty.” The half-page reproductions on and off this road are also real pictures. The Makarora road of historic association combines utility and scenic grandeur. Until recently the old settlement of Makarora, at the head of Lake Wanaka.had a cattle trad,k only over which to transport stock, and- a launch service on the lake for the carriage of supplies. Tb-day the Makarora; road. gives the settlers open communication with the larger world of Central Otago, and enables tourists from all parts to see the wonderland of lake and mountain scenery from the already famous road. The most striking pictures in this series are titled “ Spacious Expanse: Looking Up Lake Hawea from Near the Neck,” “Not Always Gentle: Looking Up Boundary Creek," “ Light and Shade: Camp Creek," “Roads of Wanaka," and “The White Way." From roads to mountains and rivers is a short step in this annual because of their close proximity. The Eglinton River, the Landsborough River, the Makarora River, and the famous Haast River and Pass are fertile fields for original photographs., Many delightful pictures have been made from these sylvan retreats, notably “ A Lonely Sentinel," “ In the Deer Country,” “Distant Peaks,” “ Beside a Famous Track,” and “ Towards the Haast Pass." The incomparable lake scenery is presented in most pleasing camera studies. “Mists Before the Sun; Early Morning at Lake Manapouri,” “In a Setting of Early Snow: Halfway Bay, Lake Wakatipu, and the spacious view of Lake Hawea, previously mentioned, are three full pages which will claim comparison with the world’s best gems. In the scenic section of the annual devoted to the northern portion of the South Island.the seascapes* landscapes, and the approach to the Sounds of Marlborough are gripping, “The Charm of the Sounds: A Glimpse of Picton at the Head of Queen Charlotte Sound ” being a compelling page. “The Main Highway in Malborough: Along the North Bank of the Hapuka River, Seaward Kaikouras in the Background ” is another arresting page, and “ The Lonely Isle,” “ Rugged Beauty,” “ Where ■ Jthe Counties Meet," and “The Winding Way" arc fit companions to complete the series. Far removed geographically from this area is the picture, “ Bold Bluffs and Rocky Shore: The Seascape at Jack’s Bay, Gatlins, Otago,” which of its character is quite a remarkable presentation of turbulent waters. We have mentioned only a few of the features of this fine annual, which has 40 pages of pictures.