DUNEDIN AND ENVIRONS

Otago Witness, Issue 3594, 30 January 1923, Page 23

DUNEDIN AND ENVIRONS

“THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CITY.” VIEWED FROM A MOTOR CAR, It may be an anomaly, but neverthelss it is a truism, that the man or woman resident in a centre for a long period ; s ■after all lamentably ignorant of the attractions possessed by their own town, scientifically and otherwise —so ignorant, in tact, that the visitor is not faced with a very difficult problem -when he sets himself to accumulate more local knowledge than that possessed by the average of the people whom he is temporarily amongst. Recently the Dunedin Taxi Owners’ Association inaugurated a system of tours through the beauty spots of Dunedin, and cars leave twice daily on the various trips. Ihe fact that over 140 passengers have made the trips in three weeks augurs well for the success of the enterprise, but it is a curious fact, and one supporting the statement made in the opening sentence, that the sightseers have been mostly visitors to the city. Perhaps the citizen considers that he already knows his town—he may know its streets and its principal buildings, but, after all, does he appreciate its beauties apart [from those owing their planning largely to the hand of man? Dunedin is not only a place of streets, offices, and shops with a stretch of water up which ships come. There is a greater Dunedin—the Dunedin Beautiful. the 18th, at the invitation of the Taxi Owners' Association, representatives of the lity Oouncil, of the Otago Expansion League, and the press were given an opportunity to prove that the claims advanced on behalf of Dunedin as a city of natural beauties are not exaggerated. Four oar loads spent about a couple of hours in a “round trip” that was a most enjoyable and exhilarating experience. The partv included the Mayor and Mayoress (Mr and Mrs J- S. Douglas), Cr and Miss LarW C !\i Messrs F W. Knight, J. Inglis Wright, A. C. Idiens, and W. B. Steel, of tne Expansion League. Questioned by a reporter at the close of tho run, the Mayor said that the tour was a revelation to him. although previously he had considered that his know ledge and appreciation of Dunedin and its surroundings were fairly sound. He commented on the advantage of the venture to visitors, and therefore, iudirectlv to th“ townspeople. Mr Steel, who is secretary of the league, was similarly impressed, and he too looks on the enterprise of the taxi-owners ?s something to be encouraged, meaning, as it does, a n excellent advertisement for the Otago capital. THE TRIP. A start was made from the Town Hall s ortly after 2.30 p.m. The cars first ran down George street, turned up by the side ot the \\ oodhaugh Reserve—and, hoy presto! Gone were the dust of the streets, the noise of the trams, the hooting of motors, and all the hundred and one sounds that one inseparable from an industrious centre. Nothing was to be heard but the purring of the car engines, the gurgle of the Leith, and the talk of the passengers. It was almost as if a magician had effected a startling stage transition. 1 urther up the valley the bush grows more generously, and cosily set in clumps of it here and there residences are to be seen. Passing part of Pine Hill, which flanks the road to the right, a member of the party recalls that nearly 40 years ago a great fire broke out in its plentiful bush. This conflagration lasted for weeks, and presented a memorable sight. It was also memorable by reason of the smoke which hung like a pall for days above the city. But, where man has permitted, Nature has repaired the damage, and native shrubs once again grow luxuriously on several parts of the mil face. 9 o the left is Lciih Stream, overgrown by the bush in parts, and presenting a ptetty picture where the sun gives it glitter like that of precious stones. Now the cars are climbing steadily, and, close on half an hour’s ascent, Sullivan’s Dam is reached. Not so long ago a sawmill stood on this site, arid it is apparent from the comparative barrenness of parts of the land that it was worked to considerable effect. A great part of this country is the property of the corporation, and it is interesting to -note that the municipal department responsible has not failed to remedy, as much as possible, the destruction wrought by tile mill. Firs, spruco, and other trees of timber value have been planted on the hill faces, and they, so far as could bo seen from tho car, are

growing well. What their monetary value may be to the city in years to come it would be difficult to conjecture. The party is still in the Leith Valley, which is opening up considerably. The r ? a< * 1° Waitati is disdained and a steep P ln <*uP the Pigeon Flat road brings them to the saddle.’ l?rom here an excellent view of the valley is obtainable, but the mist, which has been rolling up steadily, prevents an outlook over to the faraway shore which, along with Seacliff, is discernible on a clear day. The valley at this point is over half a mile wide, and there is a feeling of regret that the timber which, judging hv the stumps that are so profuse, must have made it an even finer sighc than it now presents from ”the saddle,” is no more. The cars being rurned about, the route next la-y along the Wakari road to the Ross Creek reserve and reservoir. This is a popular spot with the hill people, and a detailed description of its auiet, natural beauty and skilful lay-out should not be necessary. Tbe superintendent of reserves has spared no pains to exploit the natural facilities afforded the city-weary for rest and recreation here. Nothing is obtrusive; all the erections and plants seems to fit into the scheme of an exquisite harmonv. The occasional note of a tui showed that even that native does not, look on man’s intrusion as altogether intolerable. There are good paths by which visitors can circumvent the reservoir. Having enjoyed the sights and havingbeen photographed in front of the rustic summer house, the party next turned into the road known as “The Drive.” from which a splendid view over the North-East Valley, and in fact, all of North Dunedin, and far down the harbour is obtainable. Later the road is fairly closely hedged by beautiful bush. At one spot the view was something to marvel at. The cars, one by one. slowed up at a spot which seemed to be almost directly above the Woodhaugh Reserve. To look dowtn on that spot with dozens of children at play upon it, then to turn the gaze and sweep a great part of the city, including some of its most im-pressive-looking public institutions, finally letting tbe eye stretch far down the mauve blue of the harbour—that was a sight which alone would justify the whole trip! Skirting the side of the hill Greater Dunedin comes into the panorama, and so far as sight-seeing is concerned, it ends with a magnificent view of South Dunedin. St. Kiida, and St. Clair from the crown of Eglinton road. The party returned home, after an outing that was thoroughly enjoyable, within two hours from the start out.