PLEASANT TOUR

Southland Times, Issue 22486, 22 January 1935, Page 6

PLEASANT TOUR

SOUTHLAND’S CHARMS VISITOR’S IMPRESSIONS HOSPITABLE PROVINCE Judging from an article, written by a Wellingtonian and appearing in the Levin Daily Chronicle, Southland has in the North Island at least one enthusiastic advocate for her charms. This

is particularly interesting in view of the paragraph which appeared in our In Town and Out columns this morning in which a lady visitor to the Dominion is alleged to have stated that the South Island’s scenic attractions were apt to be belittled in the North. The author of the article, Mr F. J. Ryder, has recently returned from a tour of Southland and Otago Central, and his writings reveal that he has seen this province from the point of view of the thinking man as well as that of the tourist. Speaking of the Royal Show Mr Ryder classed it as excellent and stated that it reflected great credit on the province of Southland. The hospitality, of Southlanders also particularly impressed Mr Ryder and he waxed enthusiastic concerning the royal welcome they extend to visitors. To continue Mr Ryder’s story in his own words:—

Concerning Southland. “A most enjoyable trip was that to Bluff where I saw freezing works, a granite quarry and the Southland Cool Stores. I climbed to the top of Bluff

Hill from which a most comprehensive view is obtained. Stewart Island lies 20 miles to the south-west, separated from the mainland by Foveaux Strait where the Stewart Island oyster beds are. The Oreti beach, five miles from Invercargill, is the best beach I’ve ever seen, and we motored for many miles over firm, white sand. This beach must be a great asset to Invercargill. Winton is a flourishing little town, the centre of excellent farming land, and while here I attended their race meeting, where for the first time I saw gallop and trots on the same day. My next trip embraced Riverton, Colac, Orepuki, Tuatapere, Mt. Linton, Ohai, Nightcaps and back through Otautau. “Riverton is the oldest town in Southland, and if the harbour entrance was not rock bound, this is where the main port of Southland should have been. Riverton Rocks is a popular seaside resort with charming bays for picnickers and bathers. The same may be said of Colac, a few miles further on. Orepuki is an old gold mining centre and there are still some sluicing claims being worked. I saw here large shale works, which have been closed for some years, but there is talk of their being re-opened. The Sawmilling Industry.

“At Tuatapere, on the banks of the great Waiau River, we stayed a few hours permitting me to visit one of the many sawmills that operate in this district. Here I saw the latest laboursaving machinery for cutting silver beech into boards and planks suitable for sending to England where it is now being used extensively in the motor body building industry. “After calling in at Mt. Linton station, we came to Ohai, where there are several lignite coal mines which supply most of Southland’s and Otago’s coal. A private railway conveys the coal from Nightcaps and Ohai to Wairio where it joins up with the Government line. Otautau, another splendid farming district, thirty miles west of Invercargill, also constituted a stopping place. “In Southland cropping of all sorts is carried on on an extensive scale and the turnip crop undoubtedly exceeds all other crops, turnips constituting the main winter fodder. Chewings fescue is also successfully cultivated in some

parts. “In conclusion let me state that Invercargill is a splendidly laid out city with beautiful parks and gardens and I hope shortly to return and visit Stewart Island and the, Eglinton Valley.”