DOMINION’S SPORT

Taranaki Daily News, 2 June 1934, Page 17 (Supplement)

DOMINION’S SPORT

FISHING AND SHOOTING.

HIGH PRAISE IN ENGLAND.

Enthusiastic praise jfor the sporting attractions of New Zealand has' been voiced by several Englishmen who have visited the Dominion recently, i' Among them have, been several retired officers from the Services, and most of them are now keen publicity agents for New Zealand’s fishing and shooting, _ allied with the charms of the Dominion for the tourist. Vice-Admiral G. K. Chetwode,' who made a short visit to New Zealand last summer, has contributed an article to The Field, a leading English periodical, on sport in New Zealand. He says he obtained good sport in the South Island as well as in the North, and describes his three days at Rotorua as a “thrilling experience.” ’ , “We waded out into the lake as far as we could just opposite the mouth of a little river,” he said, “fishing with trout rods and very tmall salmon flies. At one time I remember there were 14 rods in a row about 20 yards apart two other parties of English people and some Maoris. About half of us would have fish on at the same time, so fouls were frequent and the excitement terrific.” “MISSING A LOT OF FUN.” ; Admiral Chetwode suggests to brother officers who have not yet taken to this sport that they miss a lot of fun. “Why it is that so few Englishmen appear to know anything about the wonderful sporting possibilities of New Zealand, where some of the finest deer-stalk-ing in the world is to be had for the asking; where brown , and rainbow trout of great weight and wonderful fighting qualities simply teem in all the favourable waters, and where hospitality is as warm and genuine as it is spontaneous?” . This is. an extract from a letter written by a retired Indian Army officer and a noted shikari, who has elected to spend the rest of his days in the Dominion. His letter, says “Globe Trotter” in the Shooting Times and British Sportsman, causes one to think. “Globe Trotter” continues: “Apart from the cost of voyaging to and from New Zealand, the expenses attached to a shooting and fishing holiday in this delightful outpost of the Empire need be but comparatively small. The average New Zealander is the personification of hospitality, a rattling good sportsman, and ever ready to assist a brother sportsman from the Mother Country, toward obtaining for him the very best of shooting or fishing available in the district he may happen to be visiting. I shall be pleased to send any reader who may be interested letters of introduction to two of the most successful stalkers in the Dominion.” The retired Army officer had written: “The total expense incurred -by a short sporting trip to New Zealand and home again would not be so great as the renting of even a small highland deer forest, with a relatively small limit of stags, dining the few weeks of the season. Nor do the stalking seasons in the respective countries clash . . . _ A keen sportsman may, therefore, enjoy two distinct seasons deer-stalking within the British Empire every year if he cares to do so, plus the satisfaction of knowing that each shilling he spends ‘down under’ would find a way to the pocket of his own ”