LOVELY RAKIURA

Southland Times, Issue 21196, 24 September 1930, Page 6

LOVELY RAKIURA

A DELIGHTFUL SPOT. IMPRESSIONS OF VISITORS. '.‘Stewart Island is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful spots in the world, for it has a charm of its own and is a veritable Isle of Dreams” was the opinion expressed to a Times reporter by Mr C. W. Czerniewski, a distinguished Polish journalist attached to the Department of Foreign Affairs at Warsaw, who, in company with Dr. Violette Bergere, M.D., Ph. D., a noted physician of New York, returned to the rpainland yesterday after visiting the Island. “Yes,” echoed Dr. Bergere, “the haven is glorious and Paterson Inlet reminded us so much of the Island Sea of Japan with its numerous islands and vast expanse of water.” The visitors were’ loud in their praises of the courtesy extended. to them on all sides during their short visit. Captain Hamilton, of the Tamatea, had, they said, not only explained to them the trips they should make, but had kindly placed at their disposal his motor boat, an action which they fully appreciated. Again, they had been fortunate in meeting two Invercargill visitors, Messrs Gordon Reed and Aitchison, and the tourists, on their sightseeing trips had been accompanied by either the captain or Messrs Reed and Aitchison, and, sometimes, by all three. The travellers were particularly interested in an outing made to tfte Whaling Station, where they met the superintendent, a Mr Anderson, who showed them the plant, explaining in detail the operations of the Norwegian whalihg fleet. At the time of the visit, eight boats were being put in perfect order in readiness for the near future when they will join the mother ship. A small dock was in use at the station and the plant installed enabled icecutters to be affixed to the whalers. At present 42 men were employed in preparing the whalers for the approaching season. M. Czerniewski said they had made all the orthodox walks and both visitors waxed enthusiastic with regard to Horse Shoe Bay, the three islands—Hope, Faith and Charity—and Golden Bay.. “We attended church service on Sunday morning” added Dr. Bergere, “I usually go to the English Church while M. Czerniewski is an adherent of the Roman Catholic faith, but, as Mr Aitchison invited us, we went along to the Scotch Church with him—‘Presbyterian’ you call it. Although M. Czernieswski mentioned his religion to the Minister, he bade us welcome with ‘God bless you’ and, indeed, actually included in his service a prayer for foreigners.- We thought this courtesy most graceful.” M. Czerniewski praised the hotel accommodation which, he said, was very comfortable. The food was good, the rooms airy and, in fact, in all departments, the hotel compared more than favourably with many of a higher tariff in the north. The visitors also spoke glowingly of a particular walk where, on the rise above Halfmoon Bay, two kindly ladies served afternoon tea while a gramophone added to the attractions of the outing. “We understand a former Governor-General of New Zealand and also Sir Joseph Ward frequently visited this favourite spot, from which an unrivalled view is obtained, and we were glad we had the advantage of making a trip there,” remarked Dr. Bergere. “There is no doubt that the Island in every way affords one a complete rest.- One feels at peace with Nature in her kindest mood.

“We met Miss Casey, the district nurse, into whose work I inquired with considerable interest,” continued Dr. Bergere. “The medical practitioner does not come to the Island now owing, I understand, to the infrequent steamer service. Nurse Casey not only treats her patients, but shows an accurate medical -knowledge in her diagnosing of the,cases. It is really astonishing, for it manifests that, besides being a good nurse, she is a capable and indefatigable worker. Some of the houses are considerably scattered, but Miss Casey, very conscientious, often walks miles to them, while, in other cases, she has to use a launch to bring the patients to tne township. She was exceedingly kind to-us both and showed us around many places of interest. We were keen to secure a piece of ambergris, but although it was new moon when we searched along Golden Bay—they say the new. moon brings luck—no success attended our search. Strangely enough, Miss Casey had found a small piece of the precious substance a couple of days previously.” Continuing, Dr. Bergere mentioned that delightful pleasure was obtained by reason of Mr Aitcheson being a “marvellous” mimic Of animals. “He would imitate the calb of cows and an answer from the animals could be heard"from a mile or more away,” she said. “Then he would

cause fantails and tuis to hop arount us quite excitedly to inquire, What kirn of a bird are you?’ It was delightful. We tried hard to find a bell bird, and nth that object in view penetrated' deep nto the bush. It was lovely to see the fuse lias coming into bloom and all the fresh geen foliage and to be entertained by.tuisand other native birds. Ultimately we time across two of the birds fighting for heir very lives.” “What struck us most forcibly,” *aid M. Czerniewski,” was the fact that on the Island —This very, sanctuary—where no animals or birds are supposed to be kiled, a whaling base, is permitted to be euablished. The pursuit of whaling is an obnoxious one because, in this instance in order that the enterprise should pay its way, the ships must be fully loaded |ith the proper quantity of oil. It would not be so bad if the mothers of calves yere spared, but these too, we understand, are killed regardless of any threatened exthction of the schools. That is obviouslt a wrongful state of _affaira.” I