SOUTHLAND NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3448, 13 April 1920, Page 27

SOUTHLAND NEWS.

(Feom Oub Own Cohbe3fondent.)>INVERCARGILL, April 10. Easter has come and gone, and if everyone has not spent a iiappy time, the fault cannot be laid at the clerk of the weatiier, for it ia many years since such a glorious few days have coincided with this autumn holiday season. Queenstown Regatta, Riverton Races, Gore Bowling Tournament and the- beauties of Stewart Island each attracted its- own followers, and all now are well satisfied with the few days' respite from toil. Queenstown, remote as it is from the bustle of town life, was perhaps the most popular retreat, and fully ?.OCO people spent their Easter in this wonderful mountain paradise. The crowded trains on Thursday, and again on Friday, caused much inconvenience to travellers, but once on the s.s. Earnslaw at Kingston the matter of accommodation was settled, and this fine lake steamer, under its courteous skipper, Captain Robertson, is all that can b e desired in the wav of transport. The scenes, however, witnessed in the gangways leading to the dining sa.o-on reminded the writer more of a bear garden than a diningroom. That the age of chivalry has long since died, we all know; but suroly the lack of British fair play—a virtue we were wont to beast of —is a matter to be. deplored in this age of ours. The way a man, nay a woman, too, will fight to obtain a favourable place in a picture or theatre queue, or gain a position at a railway booking office, reminds one of the athlete efforts of a North v. South Island forward battle. The complete l absence of snow from the Remarkables and the dry chocolate colour of the ranges surrounding the lake were a source of never endincr wonder to everyone, and the trip across the lake • was a most enjoyable one. with its crowd of inquisitive tourists who lined the wharf, was at last reached, and soon the various accommodation houses were taxed to their utmost to house the exceptionally large crowd who on Friday night reached that beautiful spot. A trnl.7 homelv tvpe of hostess one here meets, and the harmon 1 and contentment seen amongst visitors is a commentary on the type of accommodation hous«. Early on Friday morning oarsmen were astir, settin.tr riggers and boats and having trial spins, motor car proprietors were busy, ready for trips, motor boats were early filled for excursions, and bv 9 a.m. the whole town presented a gay and bustling appearance. The gardens, beautiful in the morning sun and decked in their early; autumn tints, provided a source of never ending interest to people who seemed content, to- stay in the oniet nooks when once there. One particularly beautiful example • of autumn tints caught the .eye of the visitor on entering the gate, and • people . who were fortunate enough "to see this, beautiful specimen will not soon forget the rare rich "tints of this fine tree. Many a tourist stood reverently bv that wonderfully fitting monument to Captain Robert Falcon Scott —a monument on a marble slab fastened artistically on a mighty erratic schist boulder deposited in glacial days; Standing as it does at the southern end of the. gardens,' and looking out. over the waters of the- lake to the rugged snires of Walter and Cecil Peaks in the distance, the monument makes a. fitting memorial to those brave and patriotic Britishers who have by their noble example „added lustre to our glorious, annals. The tennis courts and the bowling greens were well patronised, but the lack of material—proper nets—and the roses along the. sides of the courts caused much inconvenience tov'sitors who, in hopes of a good game, had brought tennis racquets with them. The sharp rose thorns did not take long to ruin more than one pair of new tennis balls, and the poor condition of the nets spoiled what might have been many good games. The caretaker was most attentive and did all he could to represent to the best advantage his parsimonious department. The Railwav Department who look to Ouoenstown's charms to attract visitors would do well to look to the matter of amusement —tennis, golf, croquet and bowls. Motor car and launch proprietors, who inaugurated the roundtrip (probably so named on account of its resemblance to the Rotorua trip of similar name), are to- be congratulated on organisation which has given to the publio such a boon at so small a cost. Trn motor trip from Kawarau Falls to Arrowtown, past Lake Hayes, is very fine, and the quaint little deserted village of Arrowtown has much to interest the tourists. There one can let one's mind wander* back to tho early days when gold was- won by fortunate diggers from the bed of the Shotover, and the now picturesque old Ballarat Hotel at the foot of the hill would then havio been a plate of interest. What tales it could tell of. festive nights and days in the early sixties. The trip to Glenorchy and Paradise, which was undertaken on Monday by a large number of people, was n ade tinder ideal weather conditions, pnd the sight of Mount Earnslaw and the clear view of its glacier were a constant source of interest to the visitors. At the present time a new motor road is being constructed to negotiate the Rees. River, and in the near future the 12 miles' coach journey to Paradise will be re-placed by an efficient motor service. On Mondxy a motor did several trips, much to the discomfiture of the drivers of coach horses that evidently are not very well used to modern methods of transport. The rugged beauty of Lake Wakatipu District, with its pibs of schist reck, and absence of bush, makes a beauty of it's own whosa charm mainly lies in the abrupt and wild scenery which is a feature of the whole scene. Manapouri,- on the other hand, makes a distinct contrast, for hens we have a beauty of quite another kind. Beautiful virgin bush, reaching from the snow lino on tho Cathedral Peaks to the water's edge, clothe tho slopes with a green mantle whose woni?rful refieefcons make a picture in Manapouri's clear waters one would go far to better. Truly our Like scenery in Southland ii an asset we may well be proud of. Mr Chas. Bradfield, late of Bradfield and Macpherscn, Dunedin, has taken over the managership of Rattray and Son, Invercargill. Mr Bradfield,. who saw much service with the N.Z. Division in Egypt and in France, reached Invercargill on Thursday, 7th inst., and will immediately take up tho position to be vacated by Mr M'Lean, who goes to Chi'istchurch to take up business with his brother. Captain A. F. Grenfell. who left New Zealand with the Main Body, returned to New Zealand on the Corinthio la3t month. This popular office*-, who before his enlistment was on the staff of the Invercargill South School, will shortly resume his duties.

Captain Grenfecf saw service fn the- South African War, and during the late campaign served from the beginning of the war until the departure of New Zealand troops from England in 1918. In musical circles and aa an amateur actor, this gentleman is well known in Southland, and his return is hailed with delight by his many friends, who rejoice to see him not a, whit impaired by his five years' campaigning. .At last our Borough Council are moving in the matter of tepid baths, and we may look forward to the plan taking definite shape in the near future. The Workers' Educational Association, has lately been endeavouring locally to form classes in Econmic History, Psychology, Literature, and Modern History. Despite the fact that financial assistance from the governing body, Otago University, is readily forthcoming and competent tutors are available, public interest is at such a low ebb in this important matter of ndvancod education, that a course of 24 lectures on any of the above- subjects at the purely nominal fee of 5s fails to attract in most cases more than a dozen students. ' Two interesting publia lectures on Modern European History have lately been given by Mr D. M. Rae,*M.A.. with a view to showing the scope and method of this interesting subject. As a result, of these lectures the many people who heard both lectures have now a clear idea of the grouping of the Powers prior to the great war. At the present time Gore is the EC&ne of considerable municipal activity, and no fewer than 24_ dray teams are busily engaged in completing the embankment which, it is hoped, will in the future protect this prosperous little town from the disastrous flood waters of the Mataura River, which at times breaks its present banks and inundates the town. The Gore citizens surely feel more secure now that the authorities have undertaken this important work. Anzac Day is to bo observed locally in a novel way, and the R..IS:A. consider that' they have arranged a service which will find general approval. A solemn memorial is to be held in the Municipal Theatre, and we are sure that the procedure we have been privileged to discuss will be a fitting way in which to remember with honour the. brave deeds of those young men who grave their lives so unselfishly that We might live and prosper. • Arrangements are well in hand to welcome the Prince of Wales next month, and committees are at present busy arranging details. The school children are to march past the Prince, and this arrangement will not only meet the especial vysh of HisRoyal Highness, but will give the children an opportunity of seeing their future King. The Grand Hotel is to be renovated, and l perhaps illuminated, and the city, will bear a say appearance on this Important occasion. Football teams are busy organising, and the opening of the Rugby season next month is eagerly looked for by followers of our ; national game. Very good teaim are assured locally., and but for the obsolete mixture of Saturday and Wednesday half- . holiday arrangement we should be able to, compete on much better conditions in inter- * provincial contests. As it is, Saturday.foot- ; ball here improved at "the expense of Wednesday teams, and the recent'ruling of the Rugby Union, that a player who com- ' petes in the Wednesday competition is not • eligible for Saturday "games too, will go further still to weaken both competitions, j Some > local teams are adopting tht3 open 'Varsity game, and the example is being . copied, so that the day may not be far distant when the traditional Southland forward ga-mo may cease to be a byword amongst nortrorn critics.